2009 is where it all began for me. It was a challenging, but rewarding year. I can now honestly say that there is nothing like growing your own food! I learned a lot and ate delicious vegetables all summer long!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
2009 Harvest Recap
2009 is where it all began for me. It was a challenging, but rewarding year. I can now honestly say that there is nothing like growing your own food! I learned a lot and ate delicious vegetables all summer long!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Spring Renewal
I am back from a blogging hiatus. The hiatus was not something I planned, but the short, cold, dark days seemed to decrease my motivation to blog [or at least publish, as I started about a dozen posts.] However, spring is officially here and I welcomed it with open arms. Being that it was sunny and 70 degrees in Boston on Saturday, it would have been hard to ignore it! Birds were singing, EVERYONE was outside and new growth has popped up around the city!
On Saturday I attended the 35th Annual Gardeners Gathering. This is a spectacular, free event open to all local gardeners. Gardeners ranged from community to container, young to old, and new to master. It was great to meet other local gardeners and share tips.
Before it started I visited my plot to check in on any spring growth. This was the first visit in well over a month. Growing were...
(Yarrow, Garlic, Crocus)
Although I missed planting peas on St. Patrick's Day, I got them planted Saturday. I planted the same variety as last year - Sugar Snap. They were just so tasty and easy - with no preparation needed to eat them! With the days getting longer I look forward to visiting more often. I still have a lot of work to do to finalize my 2010 garden plan. However, two definite new additions (and experiments) this year will be potatoes and corn!!
On Saturday I attended the 35th Annual Gardeners Gathering. This is a spectacular, free event open to all local gardeners. Gardeners ranged from community to container, young to old, and new to master. It was great to meet other local gardeners and share tips.
Before it started I visited my plot to check in on any spring growth. This was the first visit in well over a month. Growing were...
(Yarrow, Garlic, Crocus)
Although I missed planting peas on St. Patrick's Day, I got them planted Saturday. I planted the same variety as last year - Sugar Snap. They were just so tasty and easy - with no preparation needed to eat them! With the days getting longer I look forward to visiting more often. I still have a lot of work to do to finalize my 2010 garden plan. However, two definite new additions (and experiments) this year will be potatoes and corn!!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Movie: The Garden
I am an avid lover of Netflix and have enjoyed many recommended films, based ones that I rent. One recent recommendation, was as spectacular as it was timely. It was a documentary titled, The Garden. Nominated for many awards, the documentary shows the emotional fight of the South Central Farmers in Los Angeles, CA to hold onto land they had cultivated into the largest community garden in the U.S.
Synopsis:
The fourteen-acre community garden at 41st and Alameda in South Central Los Angeles is the largest of its kind in the United States. Started as a form of healing after the devastating L.A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farmers have since created a miracle in one of the country’s most blighted neighborhoods. Growing their own food. Feeding their families. Creating a community.
But now, bulldozers are poised to level their 14-acre oasis.
The Garden follows the plight of the farmers, from the tilled soil of this urban farm to the polished marble of City Hall. Mostly immigrants from Latin America, from countries where they feared for their lives if they were to speak out, we watch them organize, fight back, and demand answers.
Source: http://www.thegardenmovie.com/about-the-film/
For more information visit: www.thegardenmovie.com, www.southcentralfarmers.com
Synopsis:The fourteen-acre community garden at 41st and Alameda in South Central Los Angeles is the largest of its kind in the United States. Started as a form of healing after the devastating L.A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farmers have since created a miracle in one of the country’s most blighted neighborhoods. Growing their own food. Feeding their families. Creating a community.
But now, bulldozers are poised to level their 14-acre oasis.
The Garden follows the plight of the farmers, from the tilled soil of this urban farm to the polished marble of City Hall. Mostly immigrants from Latin America, from countries where they feared for their lives if they were to speak out, we watch them organize, fight back, and demand answers.
Source: http://www.thegardenmovie.com/about-the-film/
For more information visit: www.thegardenmovie.com, www.southcentralfarmers.com
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thank you Campbell's..I think!
While scanning The Cheap Vegetable Gardener a few months ago I saw a posting about getting free tomato seeds through a Campbell's Soup promo on their Help Grow Your Soup site. Since I had a can of soup on hand (you needed to enter a can code), I requested the seeds...and yesterday I received about twenty tomato seeds!! Thanks Campbell's!
However, while receiving free seeds is great, these are not entirely without issues. Here is why...
Although the seed promo appears to be over, they still have a few exciting community projects going on and even a virtual garden to test out your gardening skills during these winter months!
However, while receiving free seeds is great, these are not entirely without issues. Here is why...
- the good...free tomato seeds!!
- the bad...all I know is that they are tomato seeds...I have no idea what kind!
- the ugly...the package says I should plant by March, 2010.
Although the seed promo appears to be over, they still have a few exciting community projects going on and even a virtual garden to test out your gardening skills during these winter months!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The White House Garden in the spotlight again...
...this time on Iron Chef America! I am not a die-hard viewer of the show but a commercial for an upcoming episode perked my ears as I heard that First Lady Michelle Obama, The White House and the White House Chef Comeford were going to turn the show into a "Super Chef Battle."
In watching the episode I was thrilled to see that the "secret ingredient" was anything from the White House garden!! Each team of two chefs collected as many fruits and vegetables from the garden as they needed!
The mission was that each team's cuisine "must inspire America to eat fresh, eat local and eat well." In addition to the ingredients from the garden local meats, eggs, milk, cheese and even honey from the White House beehives were brought in!
Another highlight to the episode were the judges: domestic goddess, Nigela Lawson (a personal fav), actress Jane Seymore and Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin.
If you didn't see the show tonight, I recommend trying to catch a replay. You can also always check the Food Network website for highlights. In addition to all food prepared, I was impressed with the quality of the White House vegetables and learned a few things too...like about icicle radishes, japanese eggplant and romanesco.
Bon appetit and think spring!!
P.S. The Obamas are huge sweet potato fans!
In watching the episode I was thrilled to see that the "secret ingredient" was anything from the White House garden!! Each team of two chefs collected as many fruits and vegetables from the garden as they needed!
The mission was that each team's cuisine "must inspire America to eat fresh, eat local and eat well." In addition to the ingredients from the garden local meats, eggs, milk, cheese and even honey from the White House beehives were brought in!
Another highlight to the episode were the judges: domestic goddess, Nigela Lawson (a personal fav), actress Jane Seymore and Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin.
If you didn't see the show tonight, I recommend trying to catch a replay. You can also always check the Food Network website for highlights. In addition to all food prepared, I was impressed with the quality of the White House vegetables and learned a few things too...like about icicle radishes, japanese eggplant and romanesco.
Bon appetit and think spring!!
P.S. The Obamas are huge sweet potato fans!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Free Gardening Workshops in Boston!
Happy New Year!!! I gladly welcome 2010 as it will provide me with another year (and chance) to grow fresh produce in the city. I learned and accomplished so much in 2009 and and cannot wait to develop my skills in 2010.
I was happy to discover that the date for the 35th Annual Gardeners Gathering has been announced! I attended this event last spring before I received my plot assignment! I learned the basics of gardening, discovered the wonderful world of vermiculture/worm composting and heard about the benefits of raised beds! Now that I have gotten my hands dirty, I cannot wait to see what I learn this year!! I highly recommend attending if you are a gardener - or want to be gardener - in the Boston area!!
Here are the details, taken from the Boston Natural Area Network website!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Curry Student Center, Northeastern University, Boston
Click Here for Directions Free Event, All Welcome
Walk-in Registration
The Gardeners Gathering is an annual citywide event for community gardeners and other garden enthusiasts. Held in the spring of each year, the event is a welcome kick- off to Boston’s upcoming gardening season. The event is filled with informative and fun activities and workshops. Gardening and green space organizations are present to provide current program information. Door prizes are awarded and pre-ordered seeds (provided by BNAN) are distributed. All are invited to join more than 300 community gardeners to welcome spring.
There will be Community Gardening Workshops for Beginner and Experienced Gardeners. Networking, Door Prizes, Info Gallery, Community Garden Awards, and More!
One of the typical highlights of the Gardeners Gathering is Mayor Thomas Menino’s greeting and presentation of the annual Community Gardening Awards. BNAN is grateful to Northeastern University for hosting the event each year and to the City of Boston for its ongoing support of community gardening.
I was happy to discover that the date for the 35th Annual Gardeners Gathering has been announced! I attended this event last spring before I received my plot assignment! I learned the basics of gardening, discovered the wonderful world of vermiculture/worm composting and heard about the benefits of raised beds! Now that I have gotten my hands dirty, I cannot wait to see what I learn this year!! I highly recommend attending if you are a gardener - or want to be gardener - in the Boston area!!
Here are the details, taken from the Boston Natural Area Network website!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Curry Student Center, Northeastern University, Boston
Click Here for Directions Free Event, All Welcome
Walk-in Registration
The Gardeners Gathering is an annual citywide event for community gardeners and other garden enthusiasts. Held in the spring of each year, the event is a welcome kick- off to Boston’s upcoming gardening season. The event is filled with informative and fun activities and workshops. Gardening and green space organizations are present to provide current program information. Door prizes are awarded and pre-ordered seeds (provided by BNAN) are distributed. All are invited to join more than 300 community gardeners to welcome spring.
There will be Community Gardening Workshops for Beginner and Experienced Gardeners. Networking, Door Prizes, Info Gallery, Community Garden Awards, and More!
One of the typical highlights of the Gardeners Gathering is Mayor Thomas Menino’s greeting and presentation of the annual Community Gardening Awards. BNAN is grateful to Northeastern University for hosting the event each year and to the City of Boston for its ongoing support of community gardening.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Walking In A Winter Wonderland
I was very happy to hear that a huge storm was making its way up the coast this weekend for two reasons. One, I love snow. Two, since southern NJ (where I grew up) was going to be getting dumped on meant that I will have a white Christmas!
On Saturday I was glued to The Weather Channel and local news stations. Boston was expected to get 10-15 inches. I anxiously waited - and stayed awake - until the arrival of snow in Boston at midnight. Although it was not a peaceful, quiet snow I still loved waking up early this morning to find everything covered in white!
After the storm stopped on Sunday afternoon I decided to take a walk around Boston. I especially wanted to see what to see what the FVG (and my plot) looked like with almost a foot of snow!
A few people were out walking their dogs, but overall the city was pretty quiet. The Muddy River was colorless but beautiful.
I am sorry to say that it has been well over a month since I visited the gardens. However, with leaves missing from the surrounding trees and bushes, the plots of the FVG were more visible than ever before! I has a great time wandering around to get a closer look at people's plots. Some of the rows were deep from the drifting snow. I had my rain boots, but should have worn my snowshoes!
I then strolled over to see how my own plot had survived the Blizzard of 2009. I looked down Row Z to see my fence, sticking out because of its height, design and 'newness'. As I followed footprints from an earlier visitor, I got my first glimpse of what my plot looked like in the snow! Anything that may lie under the blanket of snow may remain hidden for quite sometime.
On a final note, Monday, December 21st is the winter solstice, the longest night of year. Even though winter has just started, and we may have many more snow storms, the arrival of the winter solstice puts pressure on me to start planning my 2010 gardening goals! I long for the days where it doesn't get dark until 8pm!
On Saturday I was glued to The Weather Channel and local news stations. Boston was expected to get 10-15 inches. I anxiously waited - and stayed awake - until the arrival of snow in Boston at midnight. Although it was not a peaceful, quiet snow I still loved waking up early this morning to find everything covered in white!
After the storm stopped on Sunday afternoon I decided to take a walk around Boston. I especially wanted to see what to see what the FVG (and my plot) looked like with almost a foot of snow!
A few people were out walking their dogs, but overall the city was pretty quiet. The Muddy River was colorless but beautiful.
I am sorry to say that it has been well over a month since I visited the gardens. However, with leaves missing from the surrounding trees and bushes, the plots of the FVG were more visible than ever before! I has a great time wandering around to get a closer look at people's plots. Some of the rows were deep from the drifting snow. I had my rain boots, but should have worn my snowshoes!
I then strolled over to see how my own plot had survived the Blizzard of 2009. I looked down Row Z to see my fence, sticking out because of its height, design and 'newness'. As I followed footprints from an earlier visitor, I got my first glimpse of what my plot looked like in the snow! Anything that may lie under the blanket of snow may remain hidden for quite sometime.
On a final note, Monday, December 21st is the winter solstice, the longest night of year. Even though winter has just started, and we may have many more snow storms, the arrival of the winter solstice puts pressure on me to start planning my 2010 gardening goals! I long for the days where it doesn't get dark until 8pm!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Gardening Gift Ideas
I can not believe how quickly the holidays are upon us! There always seems to be so much to do and so little time, and with two weeks 'til Christmas I have not started my to-do list! After surviving my first season of gardening I am really looking forward to next spring to try everything all over again. I have a few ideas up my sleeve for things to try. As a result I have called out for assistance. Two things on my Christmas list are:
I came across this posting on Craftzine for a few gift ideas for gardeners in case you need one!
What is on your Gardener's Christmas list?
Happy Holidays!
- a small, homemade cold frame
- a potato box as seen in The Seattle Times
- a kitchen composter (like this one)
I came across this posting on Craftzine for a few gift ideas for gardeners in case you need one!
What is on your Gardener's Christmas list?
Happy Holidays!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Fall Chores & Harvest Report 11/1
I hope that everyone had a great Halloween. I was disappointed not to have a pumpkin from my garden to carve and ended up not doing anything very festive. I attended a concert last night by one of my all time favorite bands, Guster! Walking around Boston, there were a lot of great costumes, but I also found it amusing to see what the more 'popular' costumes were this year. I saw many people dressed up as Peter Pan, Minnie Mouse, a Pirate, Where's Waldo, and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. My favorite costume was probably "the swine flu" (a pig with a face mask).
Anyway, back to gardening...finding time to get into the garden is becoming increasingly difficult as the days get shorter. Now that we turned the clocks back, weekends are going to be the only time I can really attend to the garden (since early mornings are not my thing). So, in addition to planting garlic, I took the opportunity to do a few fall chores:
*A side note about my background with mache (i.e. corn salad, lamb's lettuce). I first discovered mache while in Switzerland. With a simple vinaigrette, it was delicious by itself. While shopping at my local Trader Joe's in Cambridge, MA shortly after my Swiss trip, I came across a bag of mache. I could hardly contain my shock and excitement. I now purchase bags of mache several times a month (partly because I want to make sure that they continue to stock it and feel that i alone purchase enough to keep the sales up!) Unfortunately, I have not found it at all TJ locations, but if you can find it I highly recommend it. Again, all it needs is a simple vinaigrette, but is also delicious with avocado, tomato and eggs! Bon appetit!
Anyway, back to gardening...finding time to get into the garden is becoming increasingly difficult as the days get shorter. Now that we turned the clocks back, weekends are going to be the only time I can really attend to the garden (since early mornings are not my thing). So, in addition to planting garlic, I took the opportunity to do a few fall chores:
- dug up my impressive marigolds that added color and bug protection to my plot
- spread two wheelbarrows of wood chips in the path
*A side note about my background with mache (i.e. corn salad, lamb's lettuce). I first discovered mache while in Switzerland. With a simple vinaigrette, it was delicious by itself. While shopping at my local Trader Joe's in Cambridge, MA shortly after my Swiss trip, I came across a bag of mache. I could hardly contain my shock and excitement. I now purchase bags of mache several times a month (partly because I want to make sure that they continue to stock it and feel that i alone purchase enough to keep the sales up!) Unfortunately, I have not found it at all TJ locations, but if you can find it I highly recommend it. Again, all it needs is a simple vinaigrette, but is also delicious with avocado, tomato and eggs! Bon appetit!
Garlic Planting Day
My goal of planting my garlic this weekend was accomplished as my order arrived on Friday. However, although it was incredibly warm on Saturday (70 degrees), it was unbelievably windy! The winds were blowing everything around like crazy so I decided not to attempt planting on Saturday. Fortunately, today was a beautiful day, sunny & 60 with less wind!
A little bit more about my garlic. After checking the garlic inventory of the more popular sites, I decided to order from The Garlic Store. They are a small company based in Fort Collins, CO. (I only bring up that they are in Ft. Collins because I lived there for a short time after college and absolutely loved it!!) Anyway, my 1/2 lb. order of Organic German White Garlic (a hardneck variety) gave me 3 bulbs/heads.
It looked great...especially once I broke the bulbs open to find out how many cloves were in each! The cloves were very easy to break apart, fragrant, and although I did not try, also easy to peel.
Each bulb had 7-8 large cloves, giving me 21 to plant. (I held back one on the smaller side to eat!) I have heard of a few variations on how to plant garlic and was very impressed with Daphne's method. However, I decided to start with the most basic and easiest way of planting...au naturel! I was going to leave the skin on each clove and just plop them into the ground.
After loosening up the existing soil and adding a bag of compost to the bed I created to plant the garlic, I made 21 holes, about 2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart. I put one clove in each hole, "tip" up.
Next, I covered the holes back up with the soil. To protect the garlic from the upcoming New England winter, I used what I had around me as mulch...leaves and grass! I covered the bed with about 6" of leaves and added pieces of the 20' reeds from the surrounding Muddy River bank.
The final result after placing a plastic netting over it so the wind wouldn't blow everything away...
I can't wait until next year and hope that I have all 21 heads of garlic!!
A little bit more about my garlic. After checking the garlic inventory of the more popular sites, I decided to order from The Garlic Store. They are a small company based in Fort Collins, CO. (I only bring up that they are in Ft. Collins because I lived there for a short time after college and absolutely loved it!!) Anyway, my 1/2 lb. order of Organic German White Garlic (a hardneck variety) gave me 3 bulbs/heads.
It looked great...especially once I broke the bulbs open to find out how many cloves were in each! The cloves were very easy to break apart, fragrant, and although I did not try, also easy to peel.
After loosening up the existing soil and adding a bag of compost to the bed I created to plant the garlic, I made 21 holes, about 2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart. I put one clove in each hole, "tip" up.
Next, I covered the holes back up with the soil. To protect the garlic from the upcoming New England winter, I used what I had around me as mulch...leaves and grass! I covered the bed with about 6" of leaves and added pieces of the 20' reeds from the surrounding Muddy River bank.
The final result after placing a plastic netting over it so the wind wouldn't blow everything away...
I can't wait until next year and hope that I have all 21 heads of garlic!!
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