taking sunshine where and when we can

another week rolls around and here we are.  i must say that it has been difficult for me to keep a positive attitude of late- and not just because of the ‘leaders’ we have or the abysmal condition that this country and planet is in.  no, i am a sunshine type person.  i don’t mind a wee bit of rain- it’s good for the garden- but it has been gray, chilly and rainy for over a week now.  the only thing going like gang busters are the potatoes in the garden.  but, i promised an update and here it is:

i will most likely have to try again with the sunny weather plants- the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash.  the only issue i see- the peppers need awhile to get going.  i am thinking about getting some going in a couple of pots- tomatoes too- and keeping them year round indoors.  we’ll see. the inlaws got me a topsy turvy that i will try a couple of plants out in.  will keep ya posted on that one too

the birds are teaching fledglings how to fly and feeding babies- and flitting about the lawn pulling up what have to be the biggest worms i have ever seen in my life.  i saw a deer up the street crossing the road and my resident bunny- or a facsimile of last season’s- is back too.    i intend to do what i can to keep the critters at bay- but hey, i am on a learning curve here.

the good news is- since i don’t mow my lawn as often as my neighbors- it doesn’t grow as fast.  i have dandelions up the yazoo but the grass isn’t much taller than mr. mows-a-lot next door.  the roses are starting to bloom but the damp and wet is causing them to get mildew.  sigh.  and the other good news- haven’t seen any japanese beetles yet this season.  keeping my eyes peeled.  lots of violets too- my whole yard is taken with violets- and the fam’s too.  i must admit their yard is starting to look like a jungle.  i haven’t been able to do much unless i want to get wet.  so, i planted my herbs inside and will let you know how the indoor garden goes.  not sure how the sweet potatoes will make it- but the seed potatoes i got are going wild.

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betmo, betmo, how does your garden grow?

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells, and cockle shells,

And pretty maids all in a row.

nursery rhyme

actually, not that bad. i ended up with mostly tomato plants through not having the time to really adequately plan the plot- and i will probably put some tomato plants here at my new digs too. it is more important than ever that we learn how to grow some of our own food- and that we change the way we eat. the news from around the world is not good- flooding and drought has shortened the supplies of grains and vegetables and this will directly impact not just our food prices- but the fact that some on the planet will starve. my thought is- why should i get the bag of rice because this country can afford the high prices- and folks in haiti and elsewhere starve?

anyhoo- many folks are getting into the act- even in urban settings.

from new york city; to philadelphia; to maine; to cuba- urban farming is growing:

in an era where giant corporates are pushing genetically modified seeds at every turn for a profit- and whose seeds don’t work in every situation and may even be causing bigger problems- we need to support heirloom projects and really downscale. the question is usually- local or organic? well, both when possible but always check out your locally grown foods because you don’t want to support pesticides and growth hormones and whatnot. also, look for fair trade membership before you buy- especially coffee- it takes a few extra moments- but my morning cuppa tastes a whole lot better

my own thought is that we all need to just stop and take a moment to think about how we live our lives. not everyone can farm- but everyone can grow a few plants to eat- whether it be square foot gardening, container gardening, raised bed gardening, or old fashioned back yard gardening. we all have freezers with our refrigerators- and can store some of the food we grow with simple blanching and freezing techniques (and the plastic freezer bags are washable and reusable). it won’t solve all of our issues but it will get folks thinking and reconnecting with how we live our lives here in the west.

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