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

Off Learning More On Gardening

Sometimes it is important to take a short trip and learn more about gardening. Today I Will visit a Master Gardener Conference. I will share later what I have learned.

Off Learning, Judy

Gardens Teach Us Life Lessons

A while back I wrote "Good for the Soul - A Garden and Orchard". http://thoughtsfromwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/05/good-for-soul.html

I found today a gardener that expanded on that idea and applied Life Lessons to the garden.  I really enjoyed it.  Life Lessons from the Summer Garden http://backyardfeast.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/life-lessons-from-the-summer-garden/


Hope your garden is teaching you something this year as well!  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

Using a Smart Phone to find items Free or on Sale

Here is a blog article that was very practicial.  It shares how to use your smart phone to save money and buy items.  In the case of this blog article it is for Prepper items.  It could be for garden items just as well.

Here is a section of the article to peak your interest:

The following is a list of ways I have used to acquire a large portion of my prepping supplies [This could be emergency supplies, gardening items, etc. as well].

"CraigList. The biggest of the online garage sales. Not only can you search online ads from your computer desktop or laptop. With the invent of smart phones, you can use a specialized application to be notified within MINUTES of the buyer’s posting. I use an app called CraigsNotifica. I wanted an inexpensive clay pigeon thrower to practice my target shooting. I created a search for “clay thrower”, told it what zip codes to look for the item, input the price range I was willing to spend, I elected to only see posts that have pictures (I want to see it BEFORE I go look at it), and I tell the app to check CraigsList every five minutes."

Do not miss reading this article if you find this interesting. 
http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/acquire-prep-items-quickly-inexpensively/#comment-44884

Enjoy!  Judy

Solar Flare Season in Full Bloom - Are you ready?

I am sure this is "old" news to you. Still I thought it would be important to share some thoughts. I am sure I have missed some things but it is a start to get you thinking.

Having a good plan if the Solar Flares Disrupt the Grid is critical!

First on the Sustainability of the garden -

1. Do you have a rain barrel?

2. Is it filled? I am filling mine today!

3. Could your plants, trees, shrubs and flowers make it a couple of days without water? I am only thinking of the lights out for a couple of days. Not the weeks and months that they say can happen.

4. It might be good to keep close watch on watering of the garden for the summer. Like keeping your gas gage above 1/2 full. Keep the garden well water this year. They expect more flares because this is Solar Flare Season!



Second on your home and vehicles -

1. Do you have enough water for several days? It is good to have a couple of 5 gal camping containers freshly filled. You can find them at Cabalas and Wal-Mart. Buy them now because they will go out of stock when everyone else thinks about it!

2. Water bottles are helpful. As much as I hate to flood the landfills with water bottles, they are the easiest to carry in the car. They last a long time. You need at least 14 gas per person to last 2 weeks. It would be good to have 4 cases of water per person on hand. Rotate them through the vehicles to keep them fresh.

3. Do you have enough food to last several days to 2 weeks to 3 months....?

4. Do you have the 72 hours kit in your vehicles?

5. Do you keep your gas gage over the ½ empty mark?

6. Do you have a way of cooking?

7. Do you have enough over the counter medications to carry you?

8. Do you have a good supply of your prescription medications?

Communications -

1. Do you have a communication plan for the family and extended family? This one I know I have to work on this week!

2. Do you know how to text? Texting is considered the best method for contact if there is a disaster. All the more reason for me to evaluate the smart phone idea.

3. Do you have a radio for emergencies?

Cash –
1. Do you have enough cash on hand for a short-term emergency? We all know the ATMs will be emptied.

2. Do you have enough cash on hand in small denominations for a long-term emergency?

News articles on the Solar Flare Season – This is a serious issue!

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/06/09/09climatewire-this-weeks-solar-flare-illuminates-the-grids-63979.html

PC World and your techie things
http://www.pcworld.com/article/229876/solar_flares_could_cripple_earths_tech_infrastructure_in_2013.html

PC Magazine Are You Ready?
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386623,00.asp

National Geographic is concerned
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/110608-solar-flare-sun-science-space/

Good Resources – Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject.

1. A great resource for the simple 4-step preparation for the short-term and long-term emergency that Mormons use. I found this web site simple and practical. Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject.  http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/
2. FEMA – Suggests Preparation for 72 hours and 2 weeks.  http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

Are you Preparing?  How?

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=93779141

Sustainable Garden Solar Flare Plan is Critical!

Having a good plan for your Sustainable Garden if the Solar Flares Disrupts the Grid is critical!

Questions for the Solar Flare Plan for your Sustainable garden -

1. Do you have a rain barrel?

2. Is it filled? I am filling mine today!

3. Could your plants, trees, shrubs and flowers make it a couple of days without water? I am only thinking of the lights out for a couple of days. Not the weeks and months that they say can happen.

4. Do you keep your garden well water? It might be good to keep close watch on watering of the garden for the summer. Like keeping your gas gage above 1/2 full. Keep the garden well water this year.

REMEMBER - They expect more flares because this is Solar Flare Season!

See my posting that covers Solar Flare in Full Bloom.

Are you preparing?  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

MSN Sees the Trend "Urban Farming"

I could not help but want to share this great article about "Urban Farming".

http://money.msn.com/saving-money/a-chicken-in-every-condo-freedman.aspx

Today we plan to get a few things planted. Finally I think it is safe to plant. Hopefully the cold rainy Spring is past - after all it is May!

Happy Planting! Judy

Doing a Little Something for Ourselves

It seems we have so much sad news. I really appreciated this blog post on Mother Earth Magazine. http://www.motherearthnews.com/rancho-cappuccino/doing-a-little-something-for-ourselves.aspx Last year was a busy year. I became silent on the blog. This year has offered some challenges but the need for a garden, Spring and new hope is important. Enjoy the blog ... I did! Judy

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

Garden Planning 2010

It seems I am getting the yearning for a garden. January is such a good month to plan the garden. Last year's lessons will be considered in the plan. I think the reason January is so great for planning in the Northern Hemisphere is we desire warm breezes and sunshine then. At least I do!

In a Garden Mood! Judy