An Underground Operation

This post will be the first of many on our little mini-farm.  Though I grew

up on a fairly large one, the city has crept out and very little remains.  

No more tractors, combines, cows or barns...but life goes on.

We don't mind the houses and activity around us so much--in fact, we love

being so close to all the city offers.  How lucky to have the best of both worlds! 

Please check in regularly--latte in hand--and join me as I share how

we've kept just a touch of the farm on the edge of a city.

 It may not look like it but, underground,

there is a lot of activity going on.

Gardens aren't very pretty this time of year but I

 want to kind of "journal" my garden for you

throughout the season so I have to start at the

ugly beginning. 

    So far, I have planted:

• 150 white onion (bulbs)
• green onion (seeds)
• 50 red onions (bulbs)
• carrots
• all kinds of lettuces
• Swiss chard
• radishes (red, white)
• spinach (flat & curled)
• 75 red potatoes

I would still like to get some broccoli in but we have

a rabbit issue so I'm holding off a little longer there.

(2009)

There is also my strawberry patch, and my

asparagus crop that has really been coming

along nicely.  Last year, it gave us more than

we could eat--and I love fresh, grilled aspargus,

less than 30 minutes after it's been picked!

The grapes and blackberries are my husband's crops.

Both of these were from his grandparents' home.

Also his area--the fence in the back there. 

We have used old fence boards to give it a

cute, rustic look to the garden but only lasts a few

years.  More on that this weekend--the goal is to

not only repair it but to complete it as we

now have enough to get the job done.

The currants have been on my family's farm

longer than I can remember, though we moved

them in '88 when the newer house was built. 

(My husband & I bought the house w/3 acres from my mom about 5 years ago)

Above is just one of the two sections that provide

wind protection to the south of my garden.  When

they are in bloom, the breeze carries the most

wonderful smell to the garden where I am working!

I have just trimmed them way back but they are

beginning to leaf out and will soon be full. 

They grow like weeds.

I've always approached my garden as a gift from God.

(2009)

The grapes and blackberries, the fence, and mulch

have all found their way into my garden as gifts.

(This is the first year I've run out of mulch for my 

pathways.  We'll see what God turns up with...)

Last fall, I was given a huge box of hundreds,

(like 500 or 600!) of garden seeds.  What a haul!

They should last at least another season or two!

I also give back to the garden; I like to call it 

my own little eco-system out there.  Any scraps

from our food that the garden gives us, go either

into the compost pile or to the chickens. 

Then it finds its way back to the garden as mulch

 and/or fertilizer.  Even when we trim the grape vines,

we put them through the chipper-shredder and

straight back into the garden. 

Like a quilter with her scraps, nothing

from the garden is wasted.

 (2009)

I'm no Master Gardener, but I do have a lot of

practical tips--tried & true!--that I've learned in my

years of gardening.  I plan on sharing these

with the gardeners out there.  I'd also

love to hear your own ideas so please join in!

Linked to:

Farm Girl Friday