I sit here perusing the seed catalogs awaiting the date when I can start my seeds inhouse. I will set up a good grow light system and tracking for successive plantings. Last year I was fortunate enough to have my seeds all grow into strong plants...what a treat..all I needed was two flourecscent light bulbs, who knew! But alas, I didn't have a sense of organization to the planning dates and what I really wanted. I went by the silly idea I have all these seeds I must plant them all. Of course then I couldn't keep up, etc.
So as the snow falls today I will take a few hours to myself and map out my plans. The spacing, the seed input dates and be ready to move forward in a few weeks. Living in Zone 6 (Boston) it is hard to start indoors any earlier though I may; just because I'm like a kid at Christmas ~ I can't wait to plant!
I truly want to grow organically but I must say I have always used miracle grow so this is a big step for me. If I stop the miracle grow I may not get the results I am used to. Though I will be moving more toward my goal of 'living green' resulting in healthier foods. So I shall make it a point to learn about natural feeding, fertilization. I'd say there is more than enough for my to learn for three weeks until the official zone 6 seed date... we'll see if I can hold off.
Happy Day
Showing posts with label Zone 6 Gardening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zone 6 Gardening. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Response to Thomas A GROWING TRADITION on blogspot. Recommend
Hi Thomas Wonderful blog, it was great to 'google' (zone 6 and seed starting) and find you. I'm on blogger too: my focus...living simpler lives...seed starting, baking from scratch, gardening, family life and my vintage collectibles shop bringing you inexpensive (new to you) treasures from the past. I would appreciate a follow by you and your followers.
I started my seedlings successfully for the first time in 18 years last February. Meaning I used to do it in Feb (as a project) with my young children and get to the spindly seedling stage before they all wilted and died. At that time it was just a fun project and in May I went and bought my seedlings from a nursery. Well not anymore. Last year I grew my veggies from seed in my basement. A similar (but not as nice set up as yours). I used grow lights for the first time and sure enough it was a seedling jungle down there, so incredibly exciting. Of course my youngest is a teen now and the project wasn't on her priority 'to do' list so I did it much of it myself but I cannot tell you the joy it brought...meditative actually. I had just lost my mom and that was my spiritual time.
We had a VERY RAINY June last year. My tomatoes weren't as prolific as I had expectd but my herbs and lettuces were incredible. I have a small plot and I too will be blogging about my accomplishments and failures. Hopefully we can all learn from each other.
God Bless Tom, I'll be checking your blog regularly. I'm going to post this on my blog as well so new folks can follow you too.
Follow me at www.footbridgecove.blogspot.com
I started my seedlings successfully for the first time in 18 years last February. Meaning I used to do it in Feb (as a project) with my young children and get to the spindly seedling stage before they all wilted and died. At that time it was just a fun project and in May I went and bought my seedlings from a nursery. Well not anymore. Last year I grew my veggies from seed in my basement. A similar (but not as nice set up as yours). I used grow lights for the first time and sure enough it was a seedling jungle down there, so incredibly exciting. Of course my youngest is a teen now and the project wasn't on her priority 'to do' list so I did it much of it myself but I cannot tell you the joy it brought...meditative actually. I had just lost my mom and that was my spiritual time.
We had a VERY RAINY June last year. My tomatoes weren't as prolific as I had expectd but my herbs and lettuces were incredible. I have a small plot and I too will be blogging about my accomplishments and failures. Hopefully we can all learn from each other.
God Bless Tom, I'll be checking your blog regularly. I'm going to post this on my blog as well so new folks can follow you too.
Follow me at www.footbridgecove.blogspot.com
Sunday, March 15, 2009
After the New England Snow...
The Daffodils an EssayTwo ill-mannered teenagers didn’t realize the heartache they would cause. To them it was a game; snap the stems and hold the bouquet.
To the gardener who has been waiting through the sunless days of winter for the appearance of the first leaves and watching each day as they continue to grow…this simple, selfish action is disheartening.
The woman parked in my driveway, got out of her car and chased two girls through a backyard. A few moments later she came back, breathing heavily from running after the two girls. She was near tears and so angry. All the while, she apologized for using my driveway to park. She explained that the two girls had walked up to her doorstep and picked all of her daffodils. To some it may seem ridiculous to get upset about such a thing but I knew exactly how she felt, for any gardener would feel the same way.
After the cold gray days of winter, everyone looks forward to the beginning of spring. But to the gardener- this is a time of renewal. The emergence of green leaves from the little bulbs that were planted the previous fall is a time of excitement. Not many people look forward to planting bulbs, but the promise of beautiful blooms in the spring push us forward. So each fall we dig, in the earth that has begun to harden with the cooler temperatures. On our hands and knees, we prepare the soil, check the bulbs to make sure they are healthy, add some bulb food and refill the hole. As an extra precaution some go as far as sprinkling cayenne pepper on the patted down soil, in hopes that the squirrels will not dine on the bulbs…our future flowers. After mulching for winter protection, in essence, putting the garden to bed until spring, the wait begins.
To the gardener who has been waiting through the sunless days of winter for the appearance of the first leaves and watching each day as they continue to grow…this simple, selfish action is disheartening.
The woman parked in my driveway, got out of her car and chased two girls through a backyard. A few moments later she came back, breathing heavily from running after the two girls. She was near tears and so angry. All the while, she apologized for using my driveway to park. She explained that the two girls had walked up to her doorstep and picked all of her daffodils. To some it may seem ridiculous to get upset about such a thing but I knew exactly how she felt, for any gardener would feel the same way.
After the cold gray days of winter, everyone looks forward to the beginning of spring. But to the gardener- this is a time of renewal. The emergence of green leaves from the little bulbs that were planted the previous fall is a time of excitement. Not many people look forward to planting bulbs, but the promise of beautiful blooms in the spring push us forward. So each fall we dig, in the earth that has begun to harden with the cooler temperatures. On our hands and knees, we prepare the soil, check the bulbs to make sure they are healthy, add some bulb food and refill the hole. As an extra precaution some go as far as sprinkling cayenne pepper on the patted down soil, in hopes that the squirrels will not dine on the bulbs…our future flowers. After mulching for winter protection, in essence, putting the garden to bed until spring, the wait begins.
Through the holidays not much thought is given to the garden but once the dull grayness of January descends upon us, and the bulb catalogs begin to arrive in the mail, the gardener’s mind begins to wander- to the bright, cheery days of spring.
At last, sometimes as early as mid March, the green of spring pokes through the ground. A daily inspection of the garden begins. In late March when the buds begin to form, the gardener cannot help but smile while passing by. By early April the first of several long awaited daffodils is in full bloom. This sight gives the gardener a renewed energy; thoughts form on the garden plan for the coming months. One after another, the buds open up to the sun and display their magical beauty.
One day, years from now, one of those girls may develop a love of gardening. If she remembers this incident, she may feel a tinge of regret, and only then will she understand how the woman felt that day in my driveway.
To some gardening is a chore, to others it is a profession, and to the faithful gardener it is therapeutic. Even after this incident, peace and solace will surely surround this woman in her garden. ~April 2000
Friday, March 13, 2009
Gardening and Cooking
At Footbridge Cove we have many interests that go beyond collectibles and antiquities...
Our typepad blog focuses on the shop and this blog will be more personal a way to share some ideas common interests and stories with others who may interested. The whole world ' blogs ' now it seems. I haven't written much, well at all, since October 2007 (more on that later). But Spring time in New England has a way of rejuvinating the soul. I am so excited at this point in my life (I've decided 44 is the age to be from here on) to live each day to it's fullest, savor each taste of a home cooked meal shared with those I love.
Our typepad blog focuses on the shop and this blog will be more personal a way to share some ideas common interests and stories with others who may interested. The whole world ' blogs ' now it seems. I haven't written much, well at all, since October 2007 (more on that later). But Spring time in New England has a way of rejuvinating the soul. I am so excited at this point in my life (I've decided 44 is the age to be from here on) to live each day to it's fullest, savor each taste of a home cooked meal shared with those I love.
And I love love love to write so I thought ....well, the rest of the world is blogging, I shall too. I would love to get a blog group together. Not sure of how all this works but I am willing to learn as I go. I want to share ideas regarding gardening in my area - zone 6 - just south of Boston. I'd also like to share recipes and news ideas for healthy meals. So I shall do that here too. I may be writing a journal to myself if no one finds this blog, but that's therapeutic I guess.
I love Home Gardening...my efforts this year will be focused on growing a bountiful crop of produce (mainly a KITCHEN GARDEN: Tomatoes, Basil, etc)....for our multi-generational family. I love saying that, it sounds so old fashioned!
I love Home Gardening...my efforts this year will be focused on growing a bountiful crop of produce (mainly a KITCHEN GARDEN: Tomatoes, Basil, etc)....for our multi-generational family. I love saying that, it sounds so old fashioned!
I'd love to start a message board here with tips from others in our area. Growing Zone 6.
PLEASE JOIN ME. Living like old times...off the land, as best we can. Cutting back in many ways and finding great joy in doing so. A higher quality of life!
AND I LOVE COOKING... an art form in itself. The colorful dishes, bursts of flavor, the aroma's: nothing like walking thru the door to the smell of fresh baking bread. I hope to get the family involved creating healthy meals that even my toughest critics (three teens and my live in mom-in-law like...no small feat!) My husband, an Irish-American 'meat and potatoes' type of guy is set in his ways, but he's always willing to try new entrees. And my oldest is also one to explore the unknown with new tastes. Great flavors, certainly healthy, but not too crunchy granola if I want to pull this off, meals for all to enjoy. I'm determined to convert them all.... by maximizing flavor and utilizing freshness of ingredients.
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