Planting Day, Cool Veggies and More! My Podcast's Coming!

Planting Day, Cool Veggies and More!-
I'm home today with the croupy crud. Ironically I had planned a personal day off then got the bug last weekend. Oh well, no projects today, except washing germie sheets! It's sunny and about 70, so I've been able to air out the house. We've had such a nice cooler week this week, with a little rain the last 2 days. Perfect for the recent plantings. It was a bit warm (low 80's) last Sat. and I was getting the flu. Dave did most of the work, but I helped! I started seeds in the new little mini greenhouse- 2 kinds of bush beans/Italian & regular, tons of basil, flowers and more-

basil coming up

beans coming up

I also added a couple of perennials to replace the ones that died-

hyssop I think

In the main garden we planted-

Lemon cukes (finally found some early starts!) and tomatoes. I tried 3 new varieties of heritage tomatoes I hadn't seen before-
Anna Russian
Japanese Black Trifle (or Black Russian Truffle)
Super Marzano

My marker system, duct tape the tag to the top of the conduit stake

I did my regular Mister Stripey, Early Girl & Lemon Boy too. Love the flavors and early, steady production. I tried a new one for me- Arkansas Traveller, an old reliable one from what I've read.

We also planted peppers- Gypsy yellow, jalapeno and garden salsa. Everyone had a terrible season for peppers last summer. No one knows why? I left lots of open space to move the beans to once they're bigger.

I also planted my herb box with rosemary, thyme and oregano. Basil plants may be coming this way for Mom's Day, maybe :)

Marion berries doing well!

Raspberries are growing fast!

Cool veggies doing great! 2 types of Kale and collard greens, no bug damage

I bought some orange geraniums for our old Kodak tray, I thought it would make a nice planter! Will do that tomorrow, and some blue lobelia I bought :)

My Podcast's Coming!
Well if you've wanted to hear my lovely voice come at you from a device it'll be coming soon! Jackie from Mikesgreengarden.wordpress.com- Organic Gardener Podcast contacted me after finding my blog. She'll be interviewing me soon. I was going to do it today, but I didn't want to hack up a lung on-air :) I'll let you know when it will be up. We'll be talking about all kids of things related to Urban Organic gardening...

Bye Bye Garden & Happy Chickens

Bye Bye Garden & Happy Chickens-

After record-breaking rain (over 1 1/4" Sat.) we had blue skies and cold weather Sunday. Perfect for ripping out our veggie garden. Everything went into the compost pile except the herbs and green tomatoes, happily inside...

more compost for the spring!

 

happy chickens in the newly un-fenced tomato area!

Whatcha looking at? 

deep blue skies

herbs drying & the basil made great pesto, now in the freezer

lovely babies waiting to turn red...

I'm Joining the June Blogathon! Schools' Out!!! Colors & Little Critters

I'm Joining the June Blogathon! 
Carolyn at Krazoacres has a challenge to do a daily blog posting. I'm joining because....

School's Out!!!
Finally, I thought it would never come! Between recovering from foot surgery in the fall, then my lower back had to catch up, then losing our beloved principal to cancer (she needed more time for treatment) mid year, cataract surgery in the spring, and then a crazy 2nd semester, I am spent. I hope to never go thru that again. It's nice though, in the 80's and the garden is growing fast!

Colors & Little Critters-
The little girls are growing fast, and there's lots blooming at the little homestead-

Little Pru

Rosie, what big feet you have!

  

Gywn and Fiona

          OFF TO THE MOUNTAINS TOMORROW!

My Compost Tractors, Little Homestead Garden Update, On The Road To Better Health!

Permaculture Chicken

Compost Tractors-
I love the whole concept of Permaculture- having an interactive system. So today, we had some Permaculture in action garden fun! Dave spread the compost in the veggie garden that was originally garden clippings, leaves, food, soil, kitchen waste-

                                     Here come the tractors! Little Blackie and Molly-

                                                             Ellie on the move!

They had a blast, digging, find worms and yummy tidbits. They will have this dug in over the next week.

Little Homestead Garden Update-
Still waiting for the apples to get completely ripe. I tried one on the ground today, a little red. Not bad!

Nectarines turning red

Basil, time to make pesto for the freezer!

Shade cold frame doing well- Kale, Collard greens, and herbs

My Fairy herb garden has grown in! She looks happy!!!

                                              Today's harvest, plus black berries and eggs

                                New Tibetan prayer flags for the coop, lots of good ju ju :)

On The Road To Better Health!-
I've re-focused on healthier eating recently, using smaller portions after I put on a few lbs. during my foot problem. I had been losing weight thru last summer and hit a mental plateau and stalled out. I started stress eating from being in chronic pain as the year wore on. So now I'm doing this for my health and to feel better. I don't want to look like a 10 year old girl or Barbie. I'm losing already, woo hoo! I use Fatsecret.com mostly just to track portion size and the ratio of fats, carbs,  and proteins. I'm limiting the grain carbs since that is easy for me most of the time and seems to increase the weight loss. I also eat something if I'm really craving it, just less! Not doing that always works against me. Sometimes I also just have to balance that the next day. I also weigh-in every day and it tracks that as well. My dietitian (free thru health insurance) I worked with told me about that website and it's all free. I put a free Android phone app on my phone and I can do a search if eating out to see how many cals, etc. a dish has. I want to take Zumba classes once my foot is completely healed. It sounds like fun and I get bored working out in a gym. I started some PT sessions yesterday and I'm moving much better today. It's never to late to be healthier!