Thankful Thursday w/Linky: I Spy with my little eye...

This year we planted our garden in raised beds, they're at about waist level which makes watering and weeding very simple.  Thankfully, the plants seem to be flourishing in these raised beds...our little midnight visitors; the jack rabbits, have not found our veggie garden this year and either have the snails, earwigs and whatever has eaten our garden in previous years.

 

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A Simple Gardener

This past February, when we were having 80 degree temps and what I thought was going to be an early summer, so I sprinkled some seeds and planted some bulbs in the simple container garden from last summer.  Little did I know that our spring/summer like weather we were experiencing was only to last through the month of February.

I have yet to plant our 'formal' garden for the year.

Yesterday, it poured down rain all day long.

Today I went out to the containers in which I planted the carrot and parsley seeds, onion and garlic bulbs.  I have never planted garlic {the larger bulb on the left} so I'm not sure if this is what it's supposed to look like or not, but I plan on hanging it to dry.

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Ladybugs from Charlotte

Last week we met Bryce's little friend, Charlotte, for a play date and she came bearing gifts.  Bryce's face lit UP when he realized the container she handed him was filled with ladybugs......his own pet ladybugs!

They're pre-fed and can stay in the container for a while, but after dropping the container one too many times, I told Bryce it was time to let them out.....outside on our plants, not inside, in his room.

The best time for the release is in the morning, foggy preferably or in the evening time.  When it's cooler out, the ladybugs are not as active and are more apt to remain in your surrounding area.

Our garden isn't planted yet, so we decided the jasmine bush was the perfect new home for the ladybugs.

The next morning I went out to check on our new 'pets' and they had the jasmine bush covered.

My suggestion, especially if you have kids, is to go to your local gardening store and buy a container of ladybugs.  Wouldn't it be a fun surprise for someone to include it in their Easter basket?! You and your kids will receive hours upon hours of entertainment.

I love to hear from you! Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. You can click on the “Post a Comment” link below to do so. Have a peaceful day.

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My Home Depot Gardening Loot

With all this spring-like weather we've been having, I've totally gotten the gardening bug and it's only January!  I've been trying to contain myself because I know there's more frost and I know more rain on the way.  But when it's close to 70 degrees, I can't help myself from doing some yard clean up work and planting.

With both kids in school for the day I made my way down to Home Depot for a leisure shopping trip.  My main purpose for the trip was to find a third terra cotta planting pot to replace the one that broke in my yard.

  No luck finding a replacement which means I'll probably have to buy three different pots to replace the two remaining pots and move the two, to the patio area.  

I didn't find three other pots that I liked well enough so it'll just have to wait until the true spring arrives and there's more of a selection.

I did manage to buy some plants though.  Two Phormium plants to go into the two newly moved terra cotta pots.  I loved the dark color and apparently they'll produce a white flower in late spring to summer.  

Paige was a huge helper in the garden and helped me plant every single plant and then watered them.....kids, just love them.....should have had four of them then maybe I wouldn't have to clean my house!

To fill the two green pots near the front door, I bought some long spindly Horse's Tail, some color and ivy.  Paige especially liked the Horse's Tail.

Oh, and I bought a bird feeder to see if we could attract some birds.  The Hummingbird Feeders are in full use right now and it would be nice to add a different species of bird to our yard.  I'll keep you updated.

I'm looking for some low maintenance, drought tolerant, colorful plants  that will grow to 24 inches or so, that I can add to the future pots that I'm going to buy for our front yard.......any ideas??

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Zucchini {garden & bread}~Heifers~ Wannabe Cow Dog

Finally, we have zucchini and squash blooms!  The summer squash is the first to bloom, zucchini is about ready to.  I really had my doubts about my garden this summer, but I think we'll be okay.

I even spotted a tiny summer squash.

The strawberry plants were not so lucky however.  Something has been munching on the plants themselves in the middle of the night.  Probably a pesky rabbit.  Don't get me wrong, rabbits are cute and all but boy, can they do some damage to a garden. {anyone have a good recipe for rabbit?!}

After I finished up watering this morning, I spotted  Chloe spotted the heifers coming down the hill behind our house, making their way back down to the barn for some water after grazing all morning.

Chloe SO thinks she's a cow dog...poor thing.

After the heifers made it down the hill and Chloe stopped barking her head off we came back inside to make Zucchini Bread.

Since we don't have any zucchini as of yet, I took some out of the freezer that I had grated and frozen from last summer to make Zucchini Bread.  I kind of made up my own recipe.  This is what you need:  {full recipe below}

Cream together the brown sugar, butter and eggs.

Add the grated zucchini and mix that in.

Add the whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sea salt and sunflower seeds.

Mix well.

Spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray and place the batter in.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Done.  Doesn't this look like the meatloaf I made just the other day?!....not sure if that's good or bad!

Definitely didn't  taste like the meatloaf!  This version of Zucchini Bread is a little bit healthier by adding the whole wheat flour and no oil added.  And the sunflower seeds added a great touch! 

Enjoy!  Here's the recipe:

Healthy Zucchini Bread

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 eggs

1  1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 cups grated zucchini

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. sea salt (fine)

1/2 cup sunflower seeds (or nut of your choice)

Cream together butter, brown sugar and eggs.

Add grated zucchini and mix

Add flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and nuts

Mix well

Bake at 350 degrees in a loaf pan for 45 minutes

Happy Saturday!

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Mine?  Ummm, not so well...

I do like to garden, or I should say, I like to reap the rewards of vegetable gardening.  However, I have now tried my hand at gardening here on the ranch for the past six years and my results have been, shall we say, below average.  Now I know I can garden and have been successful at it in the past.....maybe my results here have something to do with the gale force winds we experience up here on our little hill almost every afternoon??

We fertilize the soil, so I believe that part is okay.  I've tried planting in the soil, changing locations of the plants every year, sprinkler watering, ground watering and now container gardening.

My poor patio tomato plant I planted at least 2 months ago......

Looks like a shriveled up mess doesn't it?

This is what it looked like 2 months ago.  Much bushier isn't it?

My caged cucumber sprout.  This is the third time this season that I've planted cucumber seeds.  They always pop up but I think we have a pesky rabbit visiting every night.  So I'm trying the cage method.

Heirloom jack-o-lantern plants, also protected by screen mesh.   

The culprit may very well be VERY hungry insects because we also have zucchini planted (2nd time) in the ground and they have definitely been eaten by insects.  Not sure what to do.  We don't spray pesticides and I can't plant enough for everyone.

Okay, I'll quit my whining now.

 

My container radishes seem to be doing good.  But aren't radishes the easiest thing you can grow?  They're like weeds, so I couldn't go wrong there!

Dominic planted three rows of corn and they're doing okay for now.

Gale force winds.......everyday.....which is great for our flag!  But look, I just noticed in this photo - even the flag pole is leaning from the wind.

Any and All tips are welcome!  Help!

Happy Wednesday!

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Tomato Planting and Disease~Has this happened to you?

This year, instead of planting my tomato plants in the ground, I'm trying a container instead.  The main reason for doing this is that every year my tomato plants and the fruit end up with brown spots on them.  I've tried a few different things to try and discourage this, like lay out straw underneath the plants, planting them in a different spot every year but nothing seems to work.  So about a month ago I bought a patio variety to plant in a container.

Well, I just read an article about Late Blight.  Late Blight is a disease that infects tomatoes, potatoes and a few other types of vegetable plants.  This disease, which is not harmful to humans, is extremely contagious and experts say it most likely spread on garden center shelves to plants not involved in the initial infection. It also can spread once plants reach their final destination, putting tomato and potato plants in both home gardens and commercial fields at risk.

Here is what it looks like.......

photos (4) by Cornell University

After seven years, I now know why brown spots emerge on my tomatoes.  The first sign is often brown spots on plant stems, followed by nickel-sized olive-green or brown spots on the tops of leaves and fuzzy white fungal growth underneath. Tomato fruit will show firm, brown spots.


Tomato plants have just been removed from stores in half a dozen states as Late Blight makes its earliest and most widespread appearance ever in the eastern United States.  The plants have been removed from Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Lowe's and Kmart stores in all six New England states, plus New York. Late blight also has been identified in all other East Coast states except Georgia, as well as Alabama, West Virginia and Ohio.
 
Click HERE to go to more information on this disease.

It's recommended to purchase plants from your local nursery or to start plants from seeds yourself to discourage the disease.

Well, I bought my little patio tomato plant from Kmart, one month ago.

No signs of Blight yet.  Hopefully my plant will escape this disease.

Have you ever come across this problem? 

At least now I know what the brown spots are caused by will be able to take proper action in the future.

Hope this information was as helpful to you as it was me.

Happy Friday!  Cheers!

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Composting~A Fun Earth Day Project

With Earth Day coming up, I was trying to come up with a fun project that I could assemble with my kids.  I've always wanted to establish a compost pile and my kids always love getting dirty, so I thought this would be a perfect match. ~Plus the manure, one of the ingredients,  is always plentiful here on the ranch.

Why compost?  Yard and food wastes make up approximately 30% of the waste stream in the United States. Composting most of these waste streams would reduce the amount of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) requiring disposal by almost one fourth, while at the same time provide a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Compost added to gardens improves soil structure, texture, aeration, and water retention. When mixed with compost, clay soils are lightened, and sandy soils retain water better. Mixing compost with soil also contributes to erosion control, soil fertility, proper pH balance, and healthy root development in plants.


I found some easy to follow steps from eHow:

Step 1
Purchase a compost bin from any garden or hardware store. You can also make one yourself but allow for enough circulation all around the compost bin (drill holes in bin 1.5 cm holes at 15 cm intervals around the can) We are going to use a three sided bin that we'll make ourselves with old fence boards.  It will be bottomless to allow worms and other beneficial organisms to aerate the compost and be transported to the garden beds.

There are also many versions of enclosed compost bins, tumblers and auto flow composters available on the market for purchase.


Step 2
Collect organic materials such as grass clippings, dead leaves, wood chips, shredded tree branches, kitchen scraps such as fruit peel, vegetables, crushed eggshells, and basically anything organic that you can think of except for meat or fatty and greasy items.

Step 3
Put the collected compost materials above into the compost bin. Fill the bin until it is about 6 inches full.

Step 4
Add 3 to 6 inches of fresh manure or soil on top of the compost materials.

Step 5
Alternate between the compost material and the manure or soil until it reaches about 3 feet tall.

Step 6
Poke holes all over the compost pile and add some water to keep it moist. Do not over water.

Step 7
Keep the compost away from direct sun, some shade is ideal. This will help prevent the compost materials from drying out.

Step 8
Turn the pile of compost about once a week for proper circulation and to avoid unhealthy bacteria from thriving. This also helps to prevent bad odors, which is typically a sign of poor circulation.

Ideally it’s best to have two piles or bins, one that you add to and the other that is almost ready to use. Once you use the first bin, don’t add to the second bin (just turn it) and begin a new pile or bin.

Try to move matter from inside to outside and from top to bottom. Break up anything that is clumpy or matted. Add water or wet, green materials if it seems too dry. Add dry, brown materials if the pile seems too wet. If you are still adding to the pile, take the opportunity while you turn it to introduce the new matter and mix it well with the older matter.

Step 9
The compost is ready to use when it turns dark and has a rich earthy smell. There should not be a rotten odor.

Step 10
Use your finished compost for all your garden needs.

You can have a second compost bin or area adjacent to the first to alternate between the two.

 
TIPS


• The fastest way to get compost is to mix 1 part grass clippings and 3 parts dead leaves (chopped with a mower), place in a three-sided bin with no top or bottom, keep it moist, and turn it with a cultivating fork every 2 weeks.

• Locate your compost bin somewhere that is easy to access, so that you and family members will be encouraged to use it.

• Share a composting facility if you live in an apartment complex.

• Have a mini compost bin indoors that you keep near your meal preparation area. It should be something that is easy to fill up, transport daily to the compost bin, and keep clean. You could consider a small plastic container (there are fun tiny garbage cans with lids) or use something as simple as a glazed terracotta plant saucer - it looks nice, is easy to clean and transports easily. Line the inside of the mini composter with newspaper, which you can add to your compost pile and it helps to keep the container clean.

• To aid the decomposing, add some red worms, which can be bought online. If you use a compost bin with an open bottom, the worms will probably come into your compost pile on their own.

• Cut around the top of a plastic milk jug leaving it attached at the handle. Keep it under the kitchen sink to collect your compost.

• For faster break-down, shred leaves, clippings; and crush egg shells.

• At some point, you may need to start a new compost pile, and stop adding to the old compost pile to let it "finish up."

• Layering is very effective if possible - one layer brown stuff, one layer green stuff, one layer composting worms (as long as the temperature of your compost does not exceed 25ºC).
• In dry weather, fill your bucket with water each time you dump in the compost pile. This will help add needed moisture.

• If you mow your yard, collect your grass trimmings! It's free, and it's a great way to get more compost.
 
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This & That & a Little Organic

It's nice to see the sun emerge today. It makes everyone content doesn't it?

This little critter was very content on the landing to our deck stairs. He didn't even move with my finger so close to him.....



Not sure what the name of this bird type is, but they were swarming the yellow mustard on the way to Bryce's school today...




The Turkey Buzzards were happy here on the ranch in the mid-day sun (bad lighting for photos though)....



Chloe found a nice, sunny spot....




The first signs of spring make me think about planting my vegetable garden. Not sure what will be on the list this year, but I just paid a visit to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website and maybe the Dirty Dozen list below will help me to decide.

A Jack-O-Lantern harvested a wee bit too early last fall...


An EWG simulation of thousands of consumers eating high and low pesticide diets shows that people can lower their pesticide exposure by almost 80 percent by avoiding the top twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead. Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables will expose a person to about 10 pesticides per day, on average. Eating the 15 least contaminated will expose a person to less than 2 pesticides per day. Less dramatic comparisons will produce less dramatic reductions, but without doubt using the Guide provides people with a way to make choices that lower pesticide exposure in the diet.

If you're trying to decide what's best for your family or want to save some money, EWG has identified 15 fruits and vegetables that are least likely to be contaminated with pesticide residues.

The Clean 15 ~ (least contaminated)
1.Onions
2.Avocado
3.Sweet corn (frozen)
4.Pineapple
5.Mango
6.Asparagus
7.Sweet peas (frozen)
8.Kiwi
9.Cabbage
10.Eggplant
11.Papaya
12.Watermelon
13.Broccoli
14.Tomatoes
15.Sweet potatoes


The Dirty Dozen ~ (most contaminated)
1.Peaches
2.Apples
3.Sweet bell peppers
4.Celery
5.Nectarines
6.Strawberries
7.Cherries
8.Kale
9.Lettuce
10.Grapes (imported)
11.Carrots
12.Pears

There is a list of 47 different fruits and vegetables on their website~ EWG.
I normally do not buy very much organic produce and just wash my conventional fruit and vegetables really well, although I know some pesticides can be absorbed by the fruit or vegetable, maybe I'll just plan my garden from the Dirty Dozen List above.

Update 7-16-10:

It was brought to my attention by a Facebook friend, (thanks Geoff) there is a new report, just released Thursday by the Alliance For Food & Farming challenging this Dirty Dozen claim.  The Alliance for Food & Farming has launched a new website, Safe Fruits and Veggies, to give consumers a different perspective and stress the need to eat more fresh fruits and veggies.  I hope you check out this new report. 

Here is a Pear Bread Pudding recipe to share ~ Sweet caramelized pears are the highlight of this comforting, custardy, raisin-studded bread pudding. When turned out of its baking dish, the flanlike pudding sits in a pool of intense caramel syrup. Serve warm or chilled.




Ingredients
2 1/2 cups low-fat milk
4 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 cups cubed, day-old country-style bread, crusts trimmed (4-6 slices), preferably whole-wheat
2 tablespoons raisins, or currants
1 teaspoon butter, softened, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
2 ripe organic pears, peeled, halved and cored
1 tablespoon lemon juice


Preparation
1.Heat milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring, until steaming, 4 to 6 minutes. Whisk eggs in a large bowl until blended; gradually whisk in 1/4 cup sugar. Slowly whisk in the hot milk until blended. Whisk in vanilla, lemon zest and nutmeg.

2.Add bread and raisins (or currants) to the milk mixture; gently fold together. Press down lightly with the back of a large spoon. Cover and set aside at room temperature.

3.Butter the bottom and sides of a round 2-quart baking dish with 1 teaspoon butter. Preheat oven to 350°F. Put a kettle of water on to boil.

4.Cut each pear half lengthwise into 4 slices. Place in a medium bowl and toss with lemon juice.

5.Heat a medium skillet over low heat until hot. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and swirl until just melted and the foam subsides. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup sugar over the melted butter. Arrange the pear slices on their sides in the pan in an even layer. Increase the heat to medium-low and, without stirring, let the pears begin to brown and the sauce slowly caramelize, adjusting the heat as needed to prevent burning, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully turn each pear slice with a fork. Return to the heat and cook until the sauce is uniformly golden, 2 to 4 minutes more.

6.Carefully transfer the pears one at a time to the prepared baking dish, arranging them decoratively in a circle and slightly overlapping them if necessary. Use a heatproof silicone spatula to scrape any remaining syrup over the pears.

7.Set the baking dish in a shallow baking pan. Spoon the bread and custard mixture into the baking dish. Press down on the bread until it is submerged in the custard. Place the pan in the oven and carefully add the hot water to the shallow baking pan until it is halfway up the sides of the baking dish.

8.Bake until the pudding is browned on top and set in the center, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack and let cool for at least 45 minutes. To serve, run a knife around the edge of the pudding. Place a serving platter over it and invert the pudding onto the platter.

Tips & Notes
Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

NutritionPer serving: 217 calories; 7 g fat (4 g sat, 1 g mono); 119 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrates; 8 g protein; 2 g fiber; 142 mg sodium; 89 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Calcium (15% daily value)

2 Carbohydrate Serving


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