Just as I was Thinking "Spring Garden" IT SNOWED

Just as I was thinking "Spring Garden" IT SNOWED!

My grandson is playing in the snow in the garden today.  Now this is March 13.  Usually it is raining.  I always start "wanting to plant" about now.  Western Washington State has a rule - Do not plant before Mother's Day....that is 2 months away.  I know though it will not be long before radishes, spinach and kale can be planted.

I notice at a garden center the neatest container garden 4'x4' with the cover for frosts.  I keep looking at my garden and wondering where can I put it.  Room is a premium in the patio garden. 

This year I want my grandson to help Grandma plant a garden for him to nurture, harvest and enjoy.  That is where the 4'x4' container garden would be handy.  Then he would have his and Grandma would have her pots. 

This year the garden will have added features one way or the other.  His slide and tower needs worked into the patio garden as well. 

If you want to see the garden and orchard through the years, here is the link.  You will see why I can't wait to plant!

http://thoughtsfromwisdom.blogspot.com/search/label/Garden

Here is my link to the Winter Garden.  http://thoughtsfromwisdom.blogspot.com/2012/02/gardens-and-orchards-are-for-winter-fun.html

Still wanting the new container garden LOL!  Judy

Gardens and Orchards Are For Winter Fun!

Gardens and Orchards are for Winter Fun!  It seems we only think of the Gardens and Orchards for Spring, Summer and Fall.  Yet, they really are for all year around.  This is the Winter of 2011 but it shows how much fun a Winter Garden and Orchard can be!  Enjoy!  Judy

 

Radom Pictures of the Fall Garden

Here are a few random pictures of the Fall Garden.



It is the middle of October. The apples are getting ripe.

The rest of the garden is settling in for a long winter's nap.

I will miss the warm sunny days of the summer. 

Yet I am already thinking of Spring.  Judy

How Much Summer have we had? Puget Sound Region 78 Minutes

Not everyone is having a "hot" summer.  This offers my garden a challenge.  Someone actually counted the minutes.  I thought you would enjoy reading the article.
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/How-much-summer-have-we-had-78-minutes-1470646.php

Enjoy!  Judy

Sneak Peak at the Veggies - June 2011

Spinach and Radishes

Carrots

Lettuce

 Spinach and Carrots

Peas

 

Hope You Enjoyed the short tour of the some of the Veggies.  Judy

Take a Peak at the Container Garden and Orchard

Welcome to the Container Garden - 2011! 

This is a view from the sliding door. 

Ever bearing strawberries are in the "car". 

The row of trees against the fence are the Columnar Apple Trees. 

Blue Berries are in front of the garden building. 

Tree roses are against the building.

This is the Potted Cherry Trees on the right. 

The center is the Seedless Grapes, of course in a 1/2 barrel. 

A Potted Pear Tree is on the right.

More Potted Apple Trees - Columnar and dwarf apple trees. 

Tomatoes in the front. 

Thanks for coming by!  Judy

2nd Year (2010) Potted Fruit Tree Orchard in Contain Gardening

Finally you will find the YouTube Video of the 2nd year of the container garden potted fruit tree orchard. See it on the left column under YouTube Videos.

Enjoy! Judy

Strange Time for Veggies

Veggies keep getting hit it seems.  It is sad when Europe is trying to see how to solve the problem of E.coli.  The fall out has hit all farms in the EU.  Now the confidence in the farms are at stake.  The impact has a huge ripple effect.

1. People are getting seriously sick and dying.
2. People are not buying produce and veggies.
3. The farms are losing money.
4. The EU is then being impacted economically on the losses as well.

Here is a great link with several articles covering the subject.

http://article.wn.com/view/2011/06/08/EU_Seeks_to_Combat_E_colis_Hit_to_Farms/

Another motivator to grow as much of your own produce as possible!  Judy

Another Reason to Grow My Own Veggies

I realize this story linked below is in Europe.  It does bring home though that fresh mass grown veggies have had problems over the last couple of years.  Are you more likely to grow your own veggies this year?  Judy

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/06/03/germany.e.coli.salad.safety/index.html?hpt=hp_bn6

Ohio Preppers Network: A Most Interesting Conversation

I found another motivator to do a deeper larder and gardening!

Ohio Preppers Network: A Most Interesting Conversation

Enjoy! Judy

More on the Potted Orchard

I have this nice list of activities to share about the Potted Orchard:

1. Create the video of 2010 growth and crop.
2. Create the video of Spring 2011 growth and process of working with the trees.

Now I have the pictures. It is just getting the videos put together for YouTube. Hopefully next week I can actually do this now that I have shared my plan.

Judy

How Did We Do This, Why and What are Our Plans

1. We grew up with families that canned, froze and enjoyed fresh food in the 1950s and 1960s with stories from the depression fresh from Grandparents and Parents. We married in 1965. The Vietnam War stepped into our lives from 1967-1969, In the 1970s we lived in Eastern Washington State. The energy crisis put us into high gear. We lived on a 1/3 of an acre with an orchard. We froze, canned and ate fresh. Then life took us to Miami and Boston. It was difficult to live the prepared life there. We would purchase food once a month to keep a supply on hand. Then we lived 12 years on 40 acres of logged land in a log house with barns and animals [sheep, goats, horses and chickens] in SW Washington. The kids had a great time. Gardening though was not successful. Now we live in an urban neighborhood with a homeowners association. Our neighbors though are younger people with a good sprinkling of military and retired state workers. Some are prepared minded. We view our home as an ‘urban farm’. We do not plan to add animals though. Our goal is to eat fresh in the summer and fall and eventually extend the food season.


2. In 2007 I got the bug to paver the back yard. It is about 1000 sq ft. We put in a 10x20 carriage house [storage building] with a patch of grass and a fountain as a center piece. This way we could actually use and enjoy the “patio/yard”.


3. 2008 put us into high gear on gardening. The first year we just had a great time as you can tell from the videos putting in a huge container garden. We bought a green house, yet to be put up and a 6x8 garden shed. We also increased our long term food storage and a strong 3 month supply. Bought all cars emergency kits. Bought kits and food supplies for our kids (2 sons and their families]. Bought camping equipment, tent , camp stove, etc. for emergencies. The kids thought Mom had gone over the top. After all of the earthquakes lately they are not thinking I am quite so crazy. LOL. We live in earthquake country. Fortunately, we live in the West and people are a little more preparation minded.


4. The year of 2009 was when we put in the orchard, blueberries and grapes. 2009 we bought a 1978 Argosy (made by airstream) travel trailer. As a kid I had seen them. We completely rehab it. We have been recyclers from childhood. Our down fall is technology. We have lots of it and make our living from the Internet teaching online for Universities and a College. [smile]


5. The summer of 2010 we decided we should go to the Airstream Club International Rally in Gillette, Wyoming. We were gone 3 weeks in July. Therefore all we could do was work on saving the orchard. It still produced 30#s of apples. The blog lay quiet. My husband just loves the orchard. I love the garden. The hard part is we have to pay a water bill. We have decided though it is worth the enjoyment and the joy of our fresh food. We are into keeping things in miniature. That is why this yard/patio has been perfect. It turned out that 2010 was a terrible year for the gardens in our area - Western Washington.


6. This year 2011 our plan is to be home and garden. Our grandson just loves the garden, orchard and berries. We eat and eat fresh all summer/fall. At this point we purchase our longer term food storage and 3 month supply items and just eat fresh from the garden. Our plan is to extend the season with a green house. We have had it purchased and approved by the home owner’s association for 2 years. We were working so hard teaching we have not had time. This year we hope to have it up for fall.


7. The blog will continue following our progress in our adventure of an urban “farm” and living a sustainability life in miniature. Judy/Jesse

Will the Rain Stop So I Can Plant?

Yes it is February and I have the "itch" to plant. My husband and I went seed shopping the other day. Fortunately they did not have but a very few bedding plants [cabbage, brussel sprouts and broccoli], or I would have had a real hard time. This year I will be traveling in mid summer. I am trying to plan the garden around my schedule.

Last year I had fun planting so many things. This year I am going to be more specific in my selection - at least that is what I am saying right now. I was reading the seed catalogue yesterday and found myself wanting to plant everything again.

My plan the other day was to set up my mini green. This way I could maybe start planting a lettuce, green onion, radish salad bowel. I discovered I have put the cover in the back of the storage building. It will entail "clearing" a path to it. I will try and do that when the rain stops!!!

I realize I should not complain because the rest of the country is covered in snow. I am just anxious to plant!

Waiting on the Rain! Judy

Container Gardening - Think "In" the Box

This is the long promised review of the 2009 Container Garden. Gardening in Containers is more than you think! See Watermelon, Cantaloupe , Musk Mellons, Potatoes, Pumpkins Beans, Carrots, Squash, Cucumbers. Peas and of course Tomatoes and Lettuce.



Enjoy! Judy

How to Plant an Orchard (Fruit Trees) in Pots or Containers - Video

I finally put together the video of establishing an Orchard in Pots in Container Gardening. It takes the process through the steps.



Enjoy! Judy

Strawberries in Pots or Container Gardening

This video reveals one of my passions - Strawberries in Pots! This is my garden in 2009.

What is great is Strawberries continue to be available year after year. They are perfect for both those interested in Sustainability and those wanting to be prepared for any event from a party to an emergency when food needs to be available!

This can be seen at YouTube as well.

http://www.youtube.com/Empresspublishing