Garden Fuss

The picking continues and I must say I am pleased with the fruits of our labor. (pun intended) The amount of time and energy we put into the actual bushes was minimal this year. They were pretty much a set it and forget it item. Besides cutting back old canes and digging up new and excess plants this spring; we attempted a last minute trellis or tie up job after a couple bad storms whipped them hither and yon. After that the bees moved in.... Mostly the bumbles, and we received a crop that will be long remembered. Especially by my plumpy arms lol. 
As far as my plan for next years crop.(yes, I really am thinking that far ahead), I am going to try and remember to tie a string around this years canes so I can cut them earlier this winter. That way I only have to worry about moving and mulching in the new ones we want to keep for next year. I will space the plants out more next spring so our path to the ripe fruit is not so cluttered and clingy. And NOTE TO SELF... Rememberto use cocoa m

 How could I even think about sleep this evening when I just completed picking yet another gallon sized bag of rasberries? I petitioned the kids (my own and the neighbors) for assistance this evening as I have spent the last week picking bag fulls every couple of days. I tried to get the hub to assist but he was essentially a no show. He only sat across from the berries and asked "How long will you be out here?" and after a few minutes disappeared back into the comfort of a 74 degree home. In his defense he always helps me with my ventures, and it has been really hot...., and I was out in the garden at the crack of dawn 6:45 or so. But still, two sets of hands make quick work and I was feeling the heat and humidity too even at that hour. Never the less tonight we managed to fill a large cup for the neighbor kids to nosh, and a bag for me to freeze for my mom later this year. Just think last week I finished the last of the strawberries (I think... ), and now it's the rasb

We have been a very busy family in the garden this year. Even though we've scaled back the amount of veggies and flowers, there is still a lot that has to be done to maintain a healthy and tidy garden space. As you can see from the pictures we have again incorporated lots of straw for our paths and as mulch around some of our veggies. Also, since we've had so much success with cocoa mulch in the past around our leeks and rasberries we used them in the herb bed which you can see is the middle section that is a small rectangle of plants with the path around it. Yes, visually it adds contrast to the yellow straw but I was looking for weed suppression as well as no additional grass seeds that come with the use of straw no matter how "clean".  As I am the main weeder in the family I had to come up with a way to accomplish my goal of a clutter free space including little to no weeds. At first my gardening partners Eb was skeptical about what I wanted to accomplish. Though a

Smetimes bigger is not better. I am so gladthat we decided to have a small intimate dinner for four than the spread we put on for almost 30 on Saturday. The holidays can be so hectic and planning ahead a little keeps the chaos and fatigue to a minimum. Tonight we are feasting on deer bratts, devilled eggs, and a garlic parm mash. The side salad is not in the pic because I was too tired to make it. However, we do have fresh strawberries, peaches,and plums for dessert. Oh as a side note the sausage was locally sourced from my moms farm land in the south. It had been in the freezer for a while because I have an issue eating meat at times. Especially cute doe eyed meat..... With hat ad my tummy is rumbling and it's time to chow down.

So this morning the DH ("dear husband" for those not in the know) and I are on a mission to be kid free for at least an hour or two. We hadn't had breakfast or even a morning cup of coffee, but we did have the midtown farmers market in mind so we headed in that direction. Eating local has been a huge topic in our home, around the city, and on the news for some time now. I am inspired to buy as much locally as possible by purchasing from vendors at the various farmers markets, the co-ops around town, as well as our small neighborhood grocery store Oxendale's Market.  At any of these locations you can find information regarding their efforts to either buy, sale, or grow local products you want to buy. Having sold my own jellies and jams at a local farmers market in the past I learned the importance of buying close to home and how it can improve the quality and appeal of my own products as well as support a neighboring vendor in their farming efforts. Having a child