Signs of Spring

Welcome to this week's post. We are fully immersed in welcoming spring and transitioning from the indoors to being outside again. Signs of spring are everywhere and there are few things that are more hopeful than seeing blossoms on trees again and the sprouting of seedlings. 

Fruit trees that we planted last autumn survived the winter despite having to refasten deer fencing that came down during one of the storms. We picked out an additional cherry tree from our local nursery to fill an additional space in the future orchard. Our orchard looks promising for its first year with blooms on the cherry and peach trees so far. 

We took the lids off the composters for an inspection and we now have beautifully cooked compost!  It's funny the things you get enthusiastic about. We will never underestimate the need of keeping the compost moist to facilitate the process. I always thought that composting happened all on its own, and that somehow, all of chicken poop would just simply go from the chicken run to the garden, and everything would benefit. In part, yes. However, composting takes time and the right formula of one part green (vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags, coffee filters, plant trimmings, grass cuttings) to two parts brown ingredients (crunched up paper, fallen leaves), then turn, turn, turn and water.

After several years of keeping a garden, and trying to rely upon our memories of what we've planted and when, when to take care of certain maintenance like pruning, fertilizing etc., we finally started a gardening journal as a means of keeping track of what we need to do, and our successful, and not so successful practices. 

I may even create a link to it should you be interested in taking a look. Feel free to let us know what you're up to or if you have suggestions for us. We're always learning!

On that note, I've started to branch out a bit and try propagating. It started with a mild day recently and the need to transplant several of our house plants, which included herbs and succulents. Some of the plants were overcrowded and with extra pots and soil available, I thought I would give it a try. So far, the mint is thriving! 

In my last blog, I mentioned our goals for the coming season which includes cultivating our wildflower and medicinal garden started last spring. This cute little patch received a good cleaning and trimming. It's too soon to direct sow many seeds but our upcycled sunflowers are providing a bit of cheer and color for now. 

We identified the future home for our squash, pumpkin and gourd garden and will soon be breaking ground. The plan for a separate tea garden is on hold as we realized that many of the items that we use for teas are grown in various locations on our property. 

As I try to remain patient for warmer weather, I continue to clean out indoor spaces. Foods in the freezer and on our pantry shelves are getting used up or processed to make room for the summer's harvest. We have plans to adjust our plantings to be more aligned with what we eat throughout the year. Despite the fact that we love to make pickles and pickle jalapenos, we're swimming in pickles! This summer, we will plant more green beans along with a few more shelling varieties, chard and even kale. We're also adding squash and potatoes.

I never imagined that I would want to garden as I do, but into the garden I go! I guess it makes sense that with my food background, that I would be drawn to growing food and finding ways to preserve our harvests. Growing our own food is satisfying and supports our ultimate goal of being as self-sufficient as possible with the resources that we have. 

Our cold frame and salvaged shelving
awaiting transformation

This year, we're experimenting with a cold frame that we built last year. Building it was so easy that we were recently inspired to salvage two sturdy bookshelves and transform them into two additional cold frames. Now we have plenty of additional space to begin seeds, and to extend our growing season for some our favorite vegetables into autumn.

Speaking of cold frames, I need to check on our seedlings!