Garden Fuss

Here is my crappy apple pic. Why? Well it's the last apple on our tiny tree that made it this long protected by a plastic baggy and an exasperated but vigilant urban grower. Its sole partner for the last month and a half got bitten and dropped carelessly to the ground yesterday. (Yep, the only two fruit out of twenty) Today this beauty of a Honey Crisp was on the ground. Only it wasn't as abused but still marred and obviously molested . Note that the dastardly squirrels have never shown any regard or respect for us or our produce. Tiny punctures and miniscule bite marks have been their hallmark this entire growing season. We have little to no eggplant, horribly chewed tomatoes, and mysteriously missing hot peppers. Honestly, the shock and rage I felt after no less than 9 of 10 mammoth sunflower plants were scaled and beheaded has yet to abate. I've indulged in foodie fantasies involving a family gathering southern style with platters full of freshly roasted squirrels over...

As  cliché  as it may sound, I have been very busy.... I know I know, if someone is committed to something as inspiring as a blog on living a wholesome homesteading life and providing practical and tried and true DIY tips they should be better at time management. Well,  apparently  I am not that person of late. Why? Well, life really does take over sometimes, and then there were these four new little lives that have taken up residence in, and then directly outside of our home. In other words, Hurray for us, We Have Chickens!!!!!!! Soon to be laying hens to be specific.  Well, this journey into raising our own layers has been a true labor of love, a testament to friendship, and the realization of a very long six-year dream. It all started this spring, April to be exact; after the new Urban Ag laws for Minneapolis were amended and put into affect. A crew of three which included me, my daughter, and her close friend (he’s a carpenter) vigilantly researched...

Fresh baked sourdough can't be beat. I mean it can be kneaded, punched, and folded but never beaten in the flavor department. Several months ago I binge watched Julia Child's Master Chef series and low and behold there was a chef there demonstrating beautiful handmade traditional artisan breads. Specifically sourdough, from the creation of sourdough starter, to baking a beautiful loaf. Those closest to me know that I've had many a bubbly, yeasty, brewing jar of fermented yum yums around my home. However, after actually making the starter for my own sourdough creations; I could not find the time nor will power to "get my bake on". [life took over] Thank God ferments are living beings that need a break from time to time and don't mind being tucked away in the back of a very cold fridge. Which, is exactly what happened to a very large jar of starter I'd previously made months ago. I'm talking at least four months....  To be quite honest I'd forgo...

Come out to gather and engage in impactful community conversations around food in your community with growers and growers to be! Let's talk growing, cooking, food preservation, resources, programming, networking... You choose! We want to hear what you have to say about what is needed in your neighborhood. Everyone is welcome, from beginners, experienced gardeners/farmers, elders, youth, and children.    There are several opportunities to participate in this process so please check out Gardening Matters' website at www.gardeningmatters.org and don't forget to RSVP for a location and date that works for you while you're there.   Grow ~ Eat Good Food ~ Build Community!   BTW...Happy New Year!!!!   Tina

Despite my earlier protestations, and with much appreciated assistance, I not only planted what turned out to be an overfilled garden, I harvested more than I had intended too. Though what I looked forward to harvesting the most however, were the 28 apples from our 3 y/o Honeycrisp apple tree. Of course I have been counting apples every year since it was planted and I wasn't alone in my exuberance. Think Count Dracula and Sesame Street.... 😁 Well, long story short I won't be sharing any pictures of a 28 apple harvest nor a 2 apple harvest because before I could figure out there was an issue, they were all gone (darn squirrels). Anyone in my position would be fuming and more than annoyed by the total disregard of their hard work and their pie/crumble making plans right? I could have stayed angry at those little biters and even considered practicing my slingshot making skills on them while they were chitting and running about one day. It really took me a few minutes of cursing t...

I'm currently looking at the last of the 2015 raspberries in the GardenFuss Garden. When the dog days of summer lift up a sultry hot foot to kick off what I call sweat, fatigue, and lethargy-gate. Partly due to my Myositis but equally rivaled by parenting, married life, and just being an adult. [ So much to do in such a short time ] Basically I go into a raspberry funk. Seriously, as soon as I have picked, washed, and packed up the first couple gallons I begin to get overwhelmed from just walking past the small, ruby, garden jewels. This is probably because I'm waiting not so patiently for a much needed family vacay. It doesn't help to have acquired a bad case of NOT asking for extra help in the garden when I need it. **cough cough** ::blushing::. But Alas I am not going down that road right now. Aren't we all a work in progress? 😊   Todays post is about not succumbing to the berry picking fatigue despite busy adult life. It's ...

Got Borage or Starflowers? If not get some quick! 🐝 Bees love it and so do I. Borage is one of few plants with naturally occurring true blue flowers. It is considered an herb and the leaves, blossoms, and stems are eaten in many places. My daughter and I have tried brewing it for tea but because of the high gelatinous mucilage in the leaves (think okra slime ewwww) we've decided to dry the leaves first before trying again. Besides tea I have only researched but yet to try other recipes using borage. I'm excited to try one that calls for blending it with braised greens and cheese for ravioli filling. When this happens I will be sure to post pictures and talk about our results. An interesting fact about Borage is that it's supposed to cure melancholy or make you feel courageous. I can't say that this really works but I know I feel better watching the interesting critters flitting about and flirting amongst one plant to the next. I'm growing it as an annual in...