Seedtime

Dreaming of spring on a wintry March morning
Coffee in my cup
Seed catalogs stacked
Pen and paper ready

Perfect way to spend a cold Saturday morning

“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”  Robert Louis Stevenson

Favorite Garden Catalogs:
Seed Savers
Seeds of Change
Bountiful Gardens
Botanical Interests

 Do you have a favorite seed/garden catalog to add to my list?  Please share it if you do!


While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.  Genesis 8:22



Weekend Blessings,
Catherine

Arbor Day ~ Plant a tree (or buy coffee)?

I'm weighing my options here ...

Become a member of the Arbor Day Foundation- spend $10.00 and get 10 free trees (Considering the state of my backyard "garden" due to the abundance of trees already growing in our yard, I'm not sure this is the way to go; though I could give the trees away, right?)

or

Join the Arbor Day Coffee Club- spend $6.95 and get a pound of fair-trade organic coffe and a cool Rainforest Rescue coffee mug (This one is tempting, even though (or especially because) I am trying to eliminate  seriously limit my coffee intake these days.) 

What do you think?  Trees or coffee?  both?  I tried growing coffee once ... that didn't work out for me. 

My other thought is to make a quick trip to Austin this afternoon to buy a couple of olive trees from the Natural Gardener (and make a little detour by Wheatsville Co-op and Central Market, of course).  Yes, they are trees, of which we have an abundance, but these are good, useful, fruit-bearing trees ... and I think they could live happily in large containers in the still sunny front yard until we have a permanent home for them. 

So .... 10 trees, coffee, 2 olive trees ... all 3?  Decisions, decisions!

Any Arbor Day plans for you? 

From My Urban Backyard "Garden"

When we moved into our rental home almost 2 years ago, my friend who owns the house told me, "I'm sorry, but nothing grows in that backyard."  And I must say, I almost agree with her; and you can see for yourself the sad state of affairs in my backyard "garden"! 

 (container herbs, fruits and ugly bare ground)

It is very shady most of the day in many places, and being surrounded on 3 sides by deciduous trees that cover the soil with layers and layers of leaves (that need more raking than I have energy or patience for) makes growing a challenge; grass or weeds won't even grow back there as you can see in the photos!  

I've resorted to container gardening, all except for my 3 sisters plus one garden in the round that I'll show you soon.  I'm hopeful that I can raise a little patch of purple pole beans, blue mini corn and butternut squash, with a few zinnias thrown in for good measure, in the one reasonably sunny spot I've been eyeing for some time.  I planted it today, and am praying for a bit of rain to get it off to a good start.  The drought conditions here haven't helped garden matters either. 

I have 2 plots in the city community garden where our family grows the bulk of our veggies. Photos of that coming soon, I forgot the camera yesterday and also missed out on a photo of a garden visitor- a turtle that we returned to the nearby creek (one of my girls' favorite spots to play).

More photos ...

 2 Patio tomatoes with basil seeds just sprouting, which are in need of more sun!

containerized comfrey

 Mystery plants growing in the compost bin, squash or melon probably. I can't decide whether to plant them in the garden or just let them continue growing where they are, they seem quite content in the compost!

My makeshift potting bench, which is really just 2 pallets that my hubby tossed out of the shed stacked together ... works for me! The chicken wire is to prevent squirrels from planting pecans in my salad boxes and to keep the kitty from using them as litter boxes! 

Once the tiny seedlings have grown a bit they'll mostly be planted in the community garden, all except for the stinging nettle which will have to be containerized like the comfrey so as not to get me into trouble with the other gardeners.  I was told we are not to plant anything permanent in the community garden, and from what I've read both of these herbs are pretty much invasive, not to mention the stinging that goes along with nettle!  Those are best kept under control in my own backyard, I think. 

The front yard does have more sun, but since it has recently been the gathering spot for the neighborhood kids and also home to a much used basketball goal, I think I'll hold off on digging up that area for just a bit ... though having a dozen neighborhood kids helping with the work  fun is a thought; and makes the term community garden all the more interesting ... we shall see what transpires. 

I'm also pondering some sort of shade-loving, drought-tolerant ground cover ... leaves just aren't cutting it anymore!  Any suggestions?  It must tolerate foot traffic, kitty cats, and well ... leaves! 

How does your garden grow these days? 

Happy Spring!

Today begins a new season.
I am most ready for the promise of new life that each spring brings.
I've been hibernating in a sense myself, mostly due to work, bad weather, and then a string of minor family illnesses.  But the warm weather and sunshine has prompted me to wake up and start fresh in some areas, this blog for instance.  I'll be doing some work here in the coming days, changing a few things and posting more regularly.
The beginning of spring ushers in one of my favorite yearly activities- planting the spring greens!
We've already tucked in seeds and a few seedlings and have been plotting and planning, in order to grow all we can in our little rented patch of earth. 
Today is the perfect day for a picnic at the community garden, wandering along the creek, and giving thanks for the beauty of a new season.
How do you mark the changing of seasons?

To everything there is a season ... Ecclesiastes 3:1

Herb Garden Tea

How about some teas for the garden rather than the gardener?  Please drop by The Renegade Farmer and I'll tell you how I make them!

Summer Thought ...

Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world. ~Ada Louise Huxtable

Dilly Delicious

Please visit me at The Renegade Farmer where I'm talking about growing dill and making Dilly Delicious Herb Vinegar.  Drop by and share your favorite herb vinegar recipe or just say Hi! 

June Garden Favorites

Yard-Long Bean Blossom

We planted these in our church garden to grow over a wire tunnel.  The vines are just about ready to "meet in the middle" of the tunnel, and hopefully they will grow right down the other side to make a shady crawl space for the kiddos.  They have very pretty purple blossoms, and the beans are quite tasty (I had to taste test them, of course!).   Though I haven't tried them yet, the young leaves are said to make a nice potherb, as well.  I love the fact that they supposedly thrive in the heat, as most beans wither away when the Texas heat sets in.  If they do survive the next few weeks, these beans will be on my list of favorite summer veggies!  Even if they don't, I'll plant them again and just move them to the spring favorites list.  I purchased seed from Bountiful Gardens, click here . 

 

Lemon Verbena (please ignore those weeds ... they are groundcover ok? I'm waiting oh so patiently for mulch.)

The Lemon Verbena is thriving thus far, which makes me very, very happy.  There is nothing like a cup of Lemon Verbena tea, or a glass of sun tea infused with some of that lemony goodness.  Every time I go to the garden I pluck a few leaves and bring them home for my evening tea.  Soon I'll be drying them for using in the winter teapot, too. 

OK, those are my current garden favorites ... what is your favorite thing in the garden right now?

Sowing Seeds

We planted beans in the garden yesterday.

Little fingers carefully spacing the seeds just so.

Teamwork was needed to get all those seeds in the soil.

Seeds are planted, now they need water. 

Other seeds being planted in little hearts as the water soaks into the soil...

And tonight, ready or not, there will be even more little hands, feet, and hearts in the garden with us.  As we sow more vegetable seeds in the soil, we pray that the Lord provides us opportunity to sow seeds of His Love into these dear ones lives, as well.

 

This season as we cultivate a garden in our community, we will be teaching others the skill of gardening, growing healthy food for those who are in need and to share with our neighbors; but our main goal is to sow the seed of the gospel into as many hearts as we are able.  For that is what He has asked of us, and those are the seeds that will produce the best fruit.  So, as we sow, weed, water, and pray ... we leave the results to God who is able to bring even our feeble attempts at serving Him to a glorious harvest. 

Not to us, O LORD, not to us

but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.  Psalm 115:1

Mouse & Trowel Garden Blog Awards

Have some favorite garden blogs? 
Pop over to Mouse & Trowel to nominate them for the 2010 Mousies today! 

A Challenge ~ Plant Some Seeds

Anyone else up for a growing challenge?
I've joined The Growing Challenge - Evangelist Edition at One Green Generation. If you garden, or would like to, go sign up for the challenge today. Please join in, and plant a few seeds with us!

Great Garden Giveaway

Jenny is hosting a gardening giveaway . And what a great gift- a $50.00 gift certificate from The Tasteful Garden!
Stop by her blog and enter today, and while you're there, enjoy her warm and wonderful words!

Wish Books

My favorite "wish books" are those gorgeous seed catalogs that start appearing in my mail box about now.
Oh how many hours I can spend reading the descriptions of all the beautiful and delicious things there are to grow!

I dream big and always start with way more than I have space, time, or energy to grow on the first draft of my To Grow List. Slowly, reality sinks in and I have to pare down that endless garden list to what I can realistically maintain, but it is fun to dream!

I always include at least one or two new things to try each year. That's part of the adventure of gardening, and if it doesn't work out so well ... there's always next season! I hope to plant at least one or two kinds of fruit trees in containers this year as my "new venture". Deciding what to grow isn't going to be easy ... bananas, I think, and maybe plums ... figs ... peaches ... ???

I usually have at least part of my seed order placed by now, but our recent move has thrown everything a bit out of whack. In all honesty, I don't even know where I'm going to garden this year. Our backyard will require much trimming of trees and bushes and a lot of soil improvement before anything will thrive there. I'm not sure my landlord will be impressed if I dig up the front yard to plant my garden...especially since we haven't committed to dwelling in this place long-term (it isn't as close to our ministry area as we would like). We have plans for a community garden ministry but as of yet, no lot to garden on (though we are confident that the Lord will provide one for us) .... Lots of questions, no concrete answers as of yet; but this I do know, I WILL HAVE A GARDEN "SOMEWHERE"! Ideally, a family garden and a ministry garden (or 2 or 3)!

If you have a garden, please remember to plant an extra row or two for those who aren't fortunate enough to have a garden of their own. Share the harvest, share your extra seeds or seedlings, teach someone the joy of growing their own food!


And since I started this ramble about my wish books, here are a few of my favorite seed catalogs:


Seed Savers Exchange
Seeds of Change
Pinetree Garden Seeds
Horizon Herbs
Renee's Garden
Botanical Interests

Where do you order seeds from? If you have a favorite seed company, please share ... I can always use another wish book!

Garden and Christmas Ramblings

I loved this article on the benefits of small space gardening: Grow $700 of Food in 100 Square Feet .
The author's website has much to offer as well- gorgeous photos, articles, recipes, and more: Rosalind Creasy .
I'm ready to spend an afternoon curled up with a cup of tea, a few seed catalogs, and my Garden Wish List! I'm also thinking about starting seeds indoors ... very, very soon.

And now back to my simple Christmas plans ... I think we'll bake sugar cookies today, since it is f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g outside, and I'll certainly not be going anywhere until the thermometer rises another 25 degrees or so. Perhaps we will roll the dough, cut out shapes and decorate them with icing and/or sprinkles; or maybe we'll just make balls of dough, roll them in sugar and smash them down with a glass (or our fingers). They'll taste delicious and be eaten with joy, no matter what they look like!

My motto this season is one I try to live by throughout the year: Simplify, Simplify!

Christmas sometimes doesn't feel so simple to me (I hate the crowds, shopping malls, and all of the hype that comes with the season these days). I've determined not to let it become a burden this year; but rather keep it the joy-filled time to remember the birth of the Joy Giver that it should be.

I'll be attempting to spread a bit of joy myself, but in simple ways that don't stress me or our family budget!

Cookies - simple or fancy, tasty just the same and when made with love ... a blessing!
Cards - simple child (and mommy) crafted ones made with great love ... and lots of glitter(!)
Caring- simply taking time to listen, really listen, to those lonely souls who just need a listening ear, and perhaps a silent prayer. (If you pay attention, you will find them most everywhere. Amazing what joy this brings, to the listener as well as the speaker, and I know you'll learn some very interesting things, as well. Try this with a child ... oh the things they think!)

May your hearts and homes be filled with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this season!

Community Garden

The community garden is growing well.
Here are a few photos I took this morning:















We have tomatoes, green beans, squash (lots of squash), cucumbers, onions, bell peppers, banana peppers, jalapenos, serranos, cantaloupe, and watermelon planted. All are growing well, and we have begun to harvest tomatoes, squash, and green onions. The beans and cucumbers are blooming, so we should have some of those ready to pick soon.

What a difference a month makes; here's what the garden looked like just a few weeks ago:


Yes, that's me hacking away at the weeds and wishing we had mulched sooner! Still need to do both (weed and mulch), though the plants themselves are blocking much of the weed growth now.

Garden Giveaway

Here's a chance to win some heirloom seeds! The Victory Gardener is having The Great Victory Garden Giveaway on her blog. Pop over there and leave a comment for your chance to win.

Spring Seed Sowing

I love, love, love this time of year!
The girls and I spent the morning sowing seeds. We planted Sugar Snap peas along one side of the garden fence, Borage just inside the garden gate, Lovage in one corner of the garden, and a new planting of Radishes and Chard.

We also planted some seeds in containers and little starter pots- Parsley, Calendula, Basil, Nasturtiums, Dill, Salad Burnet, Shallots, Leeks, Sweet Rocket, Clary Sage......I'm sure there were a couple of other things, but I can't remember what they were.

We also scattered some wildflower seed around the trees in the Community Garden plot. We have 36 tomatoes in the ground and 36 more waiting in the greenhouse, along with peppers of several varieties. We've been promised seed from a local source for other veggies: cucumber, green beans, squash etc. Those will get planted in a few weeks...as soon as we get the planting area prepared! Once we get the main plantings done, I'll add in herbs and flowers here and there to help keep pests at bay, and well, just because I like them! Besides, I know I would be very happy to get not only some great veggies from the Community Garden, but also a nice bunch of herbs or flowers, as well.

Rain should be coming our way tomorrow. I certainly hope so, because we really, really need it.

I'm tempted to go back out and see what else I can find to plant, but I think I really should be getting dinner started instead ;) .

Spring Fever

It is that time of year...Spring is definitely in the air around here.
With the lovely warm days and the sudden greening of things comes the Fever, that urge to grow things, plant seeds, repot the container plants, and last but never least is the beckoning of those little pots of herbs, flowers, and veggies, all calling out, "Buy me, buy me!". I passed a feed store yesterday and there was the rack of little green things drawing me in. I just had to circle the block, and stop and take a look at the herbs and other plants.

I was strong, I didn't buy a thing. Honestly it was because the girls had opted to stay in the truck and finish their lunch while I popped out and looked at the plants. But, the calling of the green things affects them as it does their mother, and slowly, one by one they begged permission to get out and look (and touch and sniff), too. Having another appointment, I knew we would be late if we didn't get moving, choosing the right plant is a time-consuming business. We left the beautiful little pots of life for another day...like Saturday morning, there's a Sweet Marjoram with the most delicious scent that I simply must have, they don't all smell so lovely and I really, really like that one!

Growing Challenge

I just signed up for this challenge at One Green Generation. Excellent site for those seeking the green lifestyle :) . Anyone else up for the challenge to grow a new organic crop and save a few seeds? Check out the website for details on The Growing Challenge and lots of other helpful ideas, as well.

Evidence of Faith

A garden is evidence of faith. It links us with all the misty figures of the past who also planted and were nourished by the fruits of their planting.
~Gladys Taber
Stillmeadow Sampler