Saturday, March 28, 2009

SPRING CLEANUP...OR...WHAT I WISH I HAD DONE LAST FALL!

The perennial/rose garden.
This year, I plan on mixing it up a bit, and tucking some lettuce and possibly some pole beans in there.

First off, let me say, I ALWAYS have the best of intentions when it comes to the autumn clean-up of my herb and vegetable beds. I plan on taking all the tomato trellises and stacking them behind the hen house. I plan on pulling all the icky radishes that never quite grew to picking size, and tossing them to the "girls". I plan on hoiking out all the old lettuce that has died back, and putting it on the compost pile.
Lettuce/radish/pea garden

Lots and lots of planning.
Herbe garden

Unfortunately, all that planning takes place in my head, and moves no further.
Tomato/cucumber/peppers garden

Cause, truth be told, by October, I am sick and tired of being out in the garden!
There...I said it.
Unfortunately, what that means for me every spring, is that I have to get out there, before the perennials are barely poppin' out of the earth, whilst it is still really chilly out, and do some major clean-up.
And, since the garden is pretty much my baby, I am usually out there alone.
Though I belong to a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and truly get more than enough for my family from June through October, there are some veggies I still grow myself.

Tomatoes....cause one can NEVER have too many tomatoes.

Peas...cause they grow so quickly, and they are so much fun to go out and pick your own for supper.

Cucumbers...cause we eat so darn many of them! (I grow the itty bitty ones)

Peppers...just because.

Green/yellow/purple beans....yummo.

Arugula...cause it's my all time favorite to add to a salad.

Lettuce of all varieties...cause we eat salads nearly every day of the week, winter or summer.
And I love the fact that I can go out and pick a giant bag full and give it away!

Zucchini...we love it grilled.

Aaggh...so much more!

So today I have already been outside raking, pulling, dumping, giving thanks, and praying.
And I will be doing a little bit each day, till all the beds are cleared, and the seedlings are ready to pop in the ground.
The beds for the lettuce and peas comes 1st, as I can sow these most any time now.

As always, I have bit off more than I can chew.

Are YOUR eyes bigger than what you think?


PS... The CSA farm that I belong to has asked me to start a blog centered around what is happening in my kitchen each week. I will be focusing on the fresh veggies and herbs from that particular weeks pick-up, and try to show how we can eat healthy without it costing a fortune. I am itchin' to get started, and Joy helped me come up with a tentative blog title:

"Frugal Farm Food...Cheap Thrills from My Kitchen to Yours"

What'da ya think?
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9 comments:

Old Centennial Farmhouse said...

Sometimes, Cyn, our garden cleanup doesn't happen on time because of snow covering it all before we get to finish! You must have a big garden like we do. I like picklers best, too, the big cukes just don't have the same taste.

I like your new blog title, and I can't wait to see it and try the recipes!
XOXO
Joni

savvycityfarmer said...

somehow, it all gets done ... a little here and a little there. We'll soon be sitting together planning, across the pub table from each other.

The new blog will be a HIT...everyone is so interested in being frugal.

You're on the road to being famous ... I knew you when!!!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Cute name -
found you through cityfarmer. I feel the same way by the end of summer with our garden. Well, actually mid summer when it's blazing hot in NC and no rain. :)But we'll do it again - every time. :)

The Three Little Bears said...

Hi, if you get a chance - check out my blog today. I have questions about soil that I think you might be able to give advice. Thank you!

Good luck with the cleanup! I have to get out there too. :(

Sandy said...

we're up and going w/our garden. usually try to do garden clean up in the fall. it's going to be a great year for gardens! I can't wait!

savvycityfarmer said...

the white stuff covered up all the mess, eh?

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

Oh, I hate it when I walk out in the spring and look around and think "Didn't I do THIS last year????"
How exciting to be asked to right a blog! I had a dream last night that I launched my own .com like Pioneer Woman!
Hoping we get to see you this weekend!!! Would like your imput on pepper and pea growing!

kansasrose said...

You are way ahead of me Cyn on the garden cleanup! I'm so far behind the eight ball now after the snow storm. I was planning on doing some work this past weekend, REALLY! honest. cross my pea pickin' heart!;)then we got dumped on by 2 feet of snow.

I'll be a devoted reader of your new blog! Sounds excitin'!! Just don't forget your old dirt farm friend in Kansas, K? You always have the best recipes and tips for using what's on hand or in the garden. YOu'll rock it out hon!

Kimberly said...

My husband and I are planning probably waaaay too much for our garden this year. Seriously. BUT it will be amazing if it all comes together. Now, for the weather to cooperate! We were supposed to be planting our fruit trees today, but the nursery was buried in snow yesterday and we have to wait until they shovel out. The joys of spring in Colorado. I am so excited to have trees and grass this year that I don't much care if I fall over working out in the massively expanded garden we're starting.
Just popped in via Rhonda's. :)