This is proof!!

This is proof my green thumb efforts did not go unnoticed, despite the voles' master plan to ruin my life.

My husband and I were taking full advantage of the beautiful 66 degree weather today by protecting our future veggie babies from another vole invasion.  We decided to empty our raised beds and place a hefty sheet of hardware mesh at the bottom… those voles don't have a chance.  

The first bed was a cinch… no plants, no problem.  I had a couple asparagus plants in the other… ummm… problem.  I must have done something right last season, because one short year transformed a tiny asparagus plant into this gorgeous fern bush with pencil-thick roots.  It took me over an hour to dig out this, obviously established, beauty, but we did it!!

Are you working in the garden this week?

Week 16: A Recent Success

Photo Credit

There are many points along my journey I would consider successes.  By the way, it's ok to be happy for ourselves.  We celebrate each other, so let's give ourselves some props.  We deserve it!  I talked about enjoying the little things in this post, but let me reiterate we have to celebrate the small steps we reach along our road to greatness.  Every little step counts… EVERY ONE.

Our life is made up of many successes, so why focus on one.  Here are a few of the things I'm proud of…

1. I'm figuring out how to build and maintain my own website.  This is HUGE!!  I'm not a technical person, and often have to turn to Brandi and Laura for help.  I'm putting on my big girl britches, and taking it on myself.

2. I haven't had another breakdown, since this one.  I set a schedule for myself, and I'm making it work.  The schedule isn't set in stone.. it's adaptable to the craziness that is my life.  We have to be willing to bend to life's will because there will be days when we can't stand to do anything, but sleep.  So sleep, tomorrow is another day.

3. I'm making tremendous headway with the Preemie clothing line.  There are times we get excited about little opportunities that cross our paths, and when the high starts to fade, so does the project.  The preemie line is NOT the case.  My heart and soul is in this project, and it's going to be incredible!!

4. My backyard is finally getting a facelift.  The weeds are being pulled as I type, we planted 11 plants this weekend, and have plans next weekend to start laying down bark.  Now I need a chaise lounge to enjoy my hard work.

What are you proud of?

The weeds are taking over no more!

Do you remember when I mentioned Spring Cleaning on Monday's post?  Today was the day it began.  On our only day off this week, my hubby and I went to work on the cluttered and the dirty.  While my husband vacuumed everywhere... the floors, stairs, couches and cushions, dog bed... I went outside to tackle our sea of weeds.  Man, those things really take over!  So lush and green, multiplying in any environment available.  Damn them!  While I struggle to keep what little plants I have alive, these weeds are thriving.   I guess they enjoy the compact nutrition-lacking clay with a side of rocks. *sigh*

I started some seeds under my garage grow-light system.  The radishes are really doing well, and will soon need a permanent home in the veggie beds, but we have a problem... they beds are completely filled with weeds.  Completely.

No, those are not micro greens, herbs or salad mixes... they are weeds, and as you can see they are quite happy.  I don't know how I let them get this out of hand.  I'm lying, I know exactly how... procrastination.  

They even seem to be tunneling through the sides of the beds... sneaky, sneaky.  Soon you won't be able to see the wood at all. 

My herb box has been taken over... 

And now mushrooms have shown up to the party, next to where my orange peppers once flourished.

My asparagus, thankfully, are still hanging on despite the little monsters trying to choke them out.  My strong dependable asparagus. 

The hill behind our retaining wall was supposed to be filled with roses, cacti, and black bark... obviously, that's not true at the moment.

Even my potted cactus plant can't get away... poor thing.

I have to admit, some of the weeds are extremely beautiful.  Variegated leaves, pretty purple flowers, delicate trailing red and green vines.  Bright green, no brown edges in sight.

This little patch of sprout-like greenery caught my eye.  It reminds me of a tiny forest for an elf village, with a blanket of green moss as it's foundation.  I'm living in a fantasy land to ease the pain of having to pull all of these weeds. *sigh*

There's some more good news... my hydrangea plant is coming back, even after it was without water for a couple weeks last summer, when our drip system stopped working.  It summed up enough energy over the winter to come back full force... we're back, baby!!

My strawberries are trailing and flowering.  Those tiny white blooms are peeking out below the cover of leaves.

So what's going on with your garden?

My Cold and Sickly Sweet Potatoes

The sweet potatoes were looking sickly after a week of semi-cold weather... they developed small black dots on the leaves, then shriveled and died ... story of my life, lately. Really not surprising since potatoes only grow when it's warm for 4 months (yeah, I know my experiment isn't looking too promising).



I was devastated I had to throw them away because they developed such a beautiful root system... what a waste.



Just wait, bear with me... Luckily, I had more slips available on my momma potato, so I planted those in the same pot, brought them inside, and set them next to a warm window in our empty guest room. I'll keep you updated on what happens next... hopefully, I'll have some good news.

My asparagus plant slowly took over the entire veggie bed this summer. Even though the season is coming to a close, I decided to trellis them, so they didn't look too unruly. I stuck dowels in the dirt approximately 10 inches apart and secured them with twine. Much better, I think...now I can plant some lettuce around them. What a concept...



I started my very first compost pile in September. I filled it with banana peels, paper scraps, corn husks and anything else worth decomposing. I added a sprinkle of compost activator, a little water, closed the lid and let it mellow for two and a half months. Well, I should have given it a little more love, by adding daily coffee grounds and apple peels. When I opened it up last Wednesday, it was too dry, and not a whole lot of decomposing had occurred. So, I added some shredded paper, a little more water, some more compost activator, a little soil from my raised beds, and gave it a good toss. I have finally started a daily offering bag in my pantry (a little food for my future plant food), so my compost will, hopefully, start doing... well... something. More to come in later weeks...



Even though all my veggie loves are vanishing before my eyes, I'm looking forward to next year's growing season. Hank has apparently solved our vole problem, so I think it will be extremely successful. The beginning of the new year means brightly colored seed catalogs magically show up at my doorstep. As I sit down with a sharpie and a cup of coffee, I can't help fantasizing about salads with radishes, bell peppers, and tomatoes grown 30 feet away in a place called home.

Sweet Potatoes in a Pot

My sweet potato babies and growing into healthy plants. It occurred to me, when I started this project, it was entirely too late in the season to start a potato crop... I'm stubborn, I know. I figured it would be my chance to try my hand at faux-greehouse gardening... I like a challenge. And since I killed my herb, radish, and carrot seedlings by over-fertilizing (*sigh*), I had to pick up another project. God forbid I have only 5 things going on at once... I must have 10.



Once my potato "seed" grew slips 4-6 inches long, I twisted them off and placed them in water to root. Magically, within 24 hours I had little roots forming. I decided to let them hang out in the water a little longer to establish a stronger root system before I shocked them by transplanting them outside.





Joseph and I still have to do some work on our raised veggie beds, so I decided to plant the potatoes in a large plastic planter. I mixed a little chicken manure in with Moisture Control Potting soil, and planted the slips 6-8 inches apart. I tried reading up on how close to plant the slips, but I kept getting conflicting information, so we'll see come harvesting time if they're too close. After transplanting them I watered thoroughly, and then an hour later Hank came up and pulled one out and ate it... dang it!! Not to worry, I have 5 healthy plants left, which means lots of yummy potatoes for Jess!!!



Meanwhile, has anyone else noticed it's officially fall!! My best friend says it's the best season for fashion... jeans tucked into boots, sassy hats and warm peacoats. I think fall is the season of color... the trees are turning from green to yellow to red, almost as if a mood ring was sitting right on my front lawn. It's magical. While spring is known for brights blooms and delightful smells, fall is famous for the smell of rain and berries on trees. These are my favorite from my tree in our front lawn, their vibrant color makes me smile, even on the gloomiest of days.

Our new family addition and some garden updates...

Meet Hank, he's a 29 pound, 8 month old Puggle (Pug + Beagle) and he's the new love of our lives. His favorite pastimes include eating rocks, taking naps on his favorite pink blanket, and passing horrendous gas (yeah, it clears the room). He's a little hyper, but hopefully with a little training (and getting his boys taken off) he will settle... but I'm not holding my breath. Welcome to the family, Hank!!! We love you so much!!







And now for the garden update... I picked my first Celebrity tomato a couple weeks ago, and since then 25 more. They are delicious with a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper... YUM!! Here's my first tomato baby...



My Brandywine tomato plant is just starting to fruit (a little late, don't cha think?), but they are not very impressive... I don't think I pruned them often enough... busy with wedding stuff. 2011 is my year to get it right and be fruitful.
One other thing I'm trying is growing potatoes in a bag... a little idea I got from Gayla Trail on her wonderful blog You Grow Girl. My first step is to make slips from a organic sweet potato bought from my local grocery store. Here's my potato after a couple days in water...



...and after another week...



I can't wait to see, and taste, this new adventure...

Win some, lose some...

I found a little gem in the midst of my garden of horror. While I was sobbing over my eaten cantaloupes, my shriveled squash, and my dead basil and pepper, my cucumbers were busy beating all the odds. This is my new lovey... I think I'll pick him tomorrow and put him in a delicious garden salad. Yum.



My tomatoes are also growing away... undisturbed by the voles (I don't think they like the smell... well at least I hope they don't).



Joseph and I are doing our vole research, and concocting a plan of attack for next year. I think I can safely say this growing season is a wash. Included in these plans are some gravel, higher beds, chicken wire, and some strategically placed guillotines. I'm praying my plants come out alive and fruitful next year. Here's one of the cantaloupes that bit the dust... *sob*



We found out we blew a fuse a couple weeks ago... the fuse that was hooked up to our drip system, and the right half of our lawn. Fantastic. We lost five plants, and my other 4 hydrangea plants are threatening, but I'm hoping this new growth means they're pushing through.



With everything going on in our household, Joseph has made the decision to hire a lawn guy, and I have decided to have someone "deep clean" our house twice a month... I'm already feeling a little more relaxed. Larry, the lawn guy, has informed us our lawn will be the best in the neighborhood within the month. Ahhh....

Reno, Birthday, and Garden Update

This was a much needed 5 day weekend! It started with a 2 1/2 day trip to Reno for some dancing, gambling and debauchery... yes, we needed it. The roulette table left me feeling invigorated, and the nap by the pool left me... well... tan. We got to spend some time with friends, let loose on the dance floor (well, that was just me, but Joseph did make a short appearance for half a song... pretty good for him), and spent money for no apparent purpose (but I guess fun is a very important purpose).















I spent some time talking to one of my friends, and bridesmaid, about the stress surrounding my world these days, and she offered some much appreciated advice. She advised to not let the wedding to-do list stress me out because I was missing the journey of planning the most important day of my life... did I really want to look back on this last year and say, “God, I’m glad that’s over,” or “I had so much fun creating that perfect day.” I don’t want to look back on these planning months with regret. I want to cherish them.

When we returned from Reno on Sunday, Joseph and I engaged in the fine art of napping... as Joseph and I lay in bed, I looked at the clock that read “6:30pm,” and I asked him, “So... what do you want to do for the rest of the day.” With one eye open he said, “This.” So, that’s exactly what we did. We tried to make it through a movie... we were not successful. We got 30 minutes in, and then started to snore. We finally succumbed to the sleep at 8:30pm... and didn’t wake up until 10:30am the next morning. *sigh*





Monday I had a birthday lunch with my mom... sushi of course. When I returned home Joseph had cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed and started laundry... he refers to these chores as his “husbandly duties.” We went grocery shopping, and then watched the latest Star Trek Movie, the one we couldn’t finish the previous night.

Tuesday was my birthday... it was relaxing and productive. My idea of a perfect day. I had a pedicure and facial peel (a relaxing one, not a rip-your-face-off one), met Joseph at home for a little snuggle time before he headed off to school, and then I got stuff done. I organized my office/art studio, cooked for the week, finished the laundry, and sent out some wedding gift thank you cards. It was fabulous!! Did I mention that I did all these things while wearing my wedding shoes... I had to start breaking them in. It was quite a sight... me in grubby cleaning clothes with Calvin Klein ivory satin 4 1/2 inch peep-toe pumps. Very amusing.

A VERY IMPORTANT GARDEN UPDATE:
Joseph and I heard through the grapevine one way to keep voles away from your plants is to scatter dog hair around them. Well, we don’t have dogs, so we took a little trip to Petsmart’s Grooming Center, and yes, we asked them for a bag of dog hair. I felt like a complete loon!! Surprisingly, this was not an unusual request, and they eagerly filled a huge garbage bag with dog hair. The looks we got, as we walked out to the parking lot with a bag full of hair, were comical to say the least. Joseph and I couldn’t stop laughing as we dodged sideways glances from passerby's.
When I got home, I stuffed dog hair into every single hole left by those dang varmints, and put even more in and around the still viable plants. The next morning, the hair looked as though it had been undisturbed... I think we finally have a cure!!
Oh, and my zucchini and squash plants are growing more babies... they survived!!

See my garden grow... until the Voles screw it all up!!!

Last year I really got into gardening, which was a little hard since I was living in a teeny tiny apartment with a 6x1 foot patio. In the heat of summer, my poor plants died of heat stroke if I didn't water them 3 times a day, which I never had time to do. But now, I have a 60x50 foot backyard with endless possibilities (and a killer landscape plan thanks to Joseph's Aunt... Hi Aunt Alaina!!!) and my new best friend, the drip system... set it and forget it!!!

In the beginning of February, I started my babies indoor from seed... I was feeling confident and optimistic. Joseph, that love of mine, built me 2 raised veggie beds and I got to work. I sowed tomatoes, cantaloupe, spinach, zucchini, bell peppers, squash, lettuce, pole beans and cucumbers. Then I took a trip to the local nursery and bought strawberries, and some more herbs. I was so pumped! I had tons of space and lots of love to see my garden grow...

My squash and zucchini plants were growing huge and lovely leaves to shelter their growing babies...



and then my veggie basket runneth over...



The cantaloupe vines started to crawl over the bed edge, searching for more space to roam...



and then I started to notice new cantaloupe babies every day...



My tomatoes were taller than I was...



My pole beans were crawling up the trellis, stretching for every inch of light...



After 3 large harvests and a week of 80 degree weather, my lettuce finally bolted, revealing delicate yellow flowers for me to admire from my kitchen window...





My garden was lush and happy...



...until the day when our first vole reared it's ugly head, and that's the day I shed my first tear over my garden. I went out one morning to check on my babies, and I noticed a couple holes, my asparagus plant was pushed over a couple inches, and my pole bean vine was dry and brittle. I was devastated!!! My mother-in-law came over the next day and diagnosed our problem... VOLES!!! What the F?!?!?!

As the days went on my zucchini and artichoke plants leaves became yellow (and then brown... *sigh*), bite marks appeared on my cantaloupes(*sigh*), and my basil and bell pepper plants shriveled and died (*sob*, tear). We had "Clark" come over and he wanted to start us on a monthly schedule to control the little varmints (ummmm, no), and then I spotted one burrowing in and out of the veggie bed... and do you know what came to mind... shotgun!!! No, I didn't shoot it (if I knew where the safety was, I probably would have), but I am investing in some guillotines. I'm done with being humane. I just want my babies back...