Rookie Gardener

So let's just start by saying that the only things that I've ever gardened are the basic "survivors" that can't really be killed in the death of summer... Cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini. No matter the amount of ignorance and neglect, these troupers always seem to survive.

But being somewhat of a rookie gardener, I have a lot to learn. So, if you happen to read this blog and realize that I'm doing it all wrong... please share. It's just not right to be a knowledge hoarder.

Since we've moved to Covelo, a remote town in Mendocino County California (known for its pot gardens), I've decided to expand my horizons. I'm trying a little bit of everything... excluding the marijuana. :)

OK. So, here's what I have growing so far- through no merit of my own. They just came with the property and the rain did all the work.

A ginormous lilac bush. The flowers smell soooo good.
Some viney looking flowers (that's the official name, I'm sure of it.)
A rosemary bush (this picture doesn't do the flowers justice, but my cute little child was in it. So that trumps a good picture.)

Some good 'ol California poppies.
And quite a few trees. These are just the ones in bloom. I'm thinking that at least one of these is some kind of a fruit tree? I want to say that the white flower is apple, but I could be wrong.
And last but not least, an overwhelming amount of hops plants. The guy that lived here used to grow and sell it. I'm not sure if I want to invest all my time in the 20+ plants that I see popping up everywhere, but I'll probably give it a try on a few. If you hear of Elaine the brew-master in a few years, you'll know how I did. The guy even had this cool rope/vine system going on. My hose doesn't reach all the way out to where the majority of hops plant are, so we'll see.
So here's the stuff that I've planted. (Warning: Plants in picture may appear sad, but have only sustained a minimal amount of neglect and abuse.) My little indoor greenhouse was doing so well.... And then I realized that I planted everything WAY to early. Note to self: Just a few weeks before the last frost is when to do it... NOT 2 months. I was getting cabin fever though, can you blame me?

So these are the little guys that actually made it to the garden and survived my early planing. Green onions (probably shouldn't tell you that I took this out of my compost pile.) Peas. (A hops transplant is in the middle. Not looking so happy.)
Zucchini.
Possibly a sunflower. As things died, I just kept replanting like a mad-man, so I really don't know where I put anything anymore. Time will tell. I also have an assortment of lettuce sprouts coming up I think.

Now for your infinite wisdom, oh internet readers. These are some plants that have popped up around the property and I feel like they could be edibles. Tim tells me that I say this about all the weeds... What do you think, weed or eat? Don't be wrong, I could die.

And finally, the battle of wits. How to outsmart insects and animals (I'm not too proud to say that I'm loosing so far.) In creating my new plot, I'm planning on burying chicken wire under the garden. Then I'm going to put up a fence around both beds. We have some pesky groundhogs around here. Also, I found these roaming the premises. Time for some organic slug/snail bait? I think so.

More Plants Than People

So we've been out in the country for about nine months now. I'm loving the land, but on the other hand, the thought of being in a large mob of people would also be fun for the weekend. Picture a Black Friday shopping crowd, and me in the middle with a big goofy grin on my face... Weird how you miss being around massive amounts of people.

The other day we went over to our friends' house who have a farm. I hopped out of our little white SUV in my silver pointy-toed shoes and walked up and down the rows of fresh green lettuce, onions, mint, asparagus and apple trees... you name it, they grow it. It was so cool to see how the land produces food so beautifully.

Then I thought about my own small plot. Almost everything I've planted so far has wilted to a slow and sad little death. But not to worry! When I turned to inquire about the planting season, our friends' 7-year-old girl gave me a 10 minute run down on what you can plant when, how and where. Uh, garden much? This girl was amazing! Seriously, she could write a book about gardening, and I'd buy it at Barnes and Noble.

So, our garden is now coming along (slowly), we're making some cool friends, and we're learning a lot about animals, gardening and nature. Who knows when we'll move back to a city, but for now, I'll continue to wear fancy shoes to farms and love life in all its leafy green fullness.

Perspective- The Death of a Child

A week ago, I lost the little baby that was starting to form inside me. I cried. I mourned for the tiny life that it had become and the little sister or brother that it would have been for Daphne. My belly was growing and so were my hopes. But God is full of grace and mercy.

This Easter, I am reminded by my own loss how great a sacrifice God made for mankind. He had a child, Jesus Christ. And he knowingly sent him to be born, live a short life, and die a painful death for men (such as myself) that are full of sin and rebellion against him. No matter how "good" we try to be, we can never live up to the standards of a perfectly pure and righteous God.... Not without the life sacrifice of another holy and perfect one- Jesus Christ. Through his sacrifice, we can have eternal life.

My loss was hard, but I am refreshed by the reminder of the incredible grace that has been shown to me. And this Easter, I will celebrate Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection.

Happy Easter,
Elaine