Coffee and Vegetable Plants

Did you know you can fertilize your vegetable garden with your coffee grounds? After enjoying your coffee, spoon the grounds into a container. Lightly scratch them into the soil of your garden once a week.  Take care not to have the grounds pile up as this can create a water barrier preventing watering reaching the roots. The nitrogen from the coffee grounds will feed and nourish the plants. I have been using this method on my lettuce and tomatoes. I have several large tomatoes on the vines. Once we are of the rain pattern we're in past several days, the summer sun will help ripen these beauties. I have been cutting the lettuce and using to make delicious heathy salads for our meals. 

Do you have any gardening tips to share? Happy Gardening!

Planning Your Garden

I have been planning my garden for weeks now. Envisioning my flowers and growing my vegetables gets me through our long Midwest winters. With some prep work, you can plan on having plants and flowers blooming in your yard in the coming weeks.
First thing to do is inventory your yard. You will need to do clean up of branches, sticks and leaves. If you keep a compost pile, place in the pile.

Remove and prune back old branches that rub together, dead branches or branches that have damage from insects or are diseased.

Did you place mulch or leaves on your plants for protection for the winter?
Clear the remaining mulch and leaves to prepare the area for new flowers and plants to be planted.

Make a list of the annual and perennial plants and flowers you want to plant and check planting tips on the seed packets or plants in containers. Burpee is a favorite of mine and I am pleased each year.

When the threat of frost has passed and the ground has thawed, loosen the soil with a garden fork. You may plant your new plants and place new mulch around them.  I like redwood mulch but cedar and cypress also offer a beautiful presentation. Here are a few suggestions for planting early once your ground is prepared.

Asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, and spinach.

If you are short on space, you can also grow flowers and vegetables on your patio in containers quite successfully. This weekend I will be heading to our local shop that repurposes home accessories. They are having a sale on wooden crates that I plan to stock up on to fill with potting soil for my tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries on my patio.

What are you planting in your garden this year?

What Gardening During a Pandemic Taught Me

It all began last year when we experienced anxiety about shortages in the supply of our food supply.  Suddenly we all began to research growing our own vegetables and making our own bread.  It enabled us to have some control in a situation that seemed out of our control.  Digging in the soil, planting seeds, watering and watching them grow is comforting. Gardens have a rhythm that is both stabilizing and comforting.  Their requirement is soil, water, sunlight and love.  I feel a passion this year and a lot of pride as I eagerly go into my garden each day to see it's growth.  This year is the first year I have grown cucumbers in my garden and I am obsessed with their process of maturing.  I can almost see the tiny vines wrapping themselves around the climbing trellis so tightly, it seems they have human strength. 

The next time you are feeling anxious, step into your garden, water your plants, trees or flowers. If you don't have the space for a garden, visit a local garden shop. Take a breath and let your mind rest.

Tomorrow I'll be picking my first cucumbers off the vines and I can't wait!

What are you growing in your garden or yard this year?

Agriculture Awareness

I have been gifted this fabulous book How To Grow A Monster for my Little Free Library from the DuPage Country Farm Bureau Foundation.  It's an educational book directed to reach children ages 5-8 about a young boy named Gabe whose mom has grown too many zucchinis in their garden. It's part of the Makers Movement and Makers Make it Work series. This story shows how Gabe and his sister come up with a plan working together to secretly take over their moms garden.  

Included in the book is a gardening related activity for readers to do themselves.  What a fun way to introduce gardening and the importance of agriculture.  

If you haven't visited a Little Free Library in your neighborhood yet, please visit their website for the map labeling one close to your home or business.  And thank you DuPage County Farm Bureau Foundation for your support and generosity.

Happy Gardening🏡

Soil and New Beginnings

Prepare your planting space with soil, seeds, containers and spray bottle of water.

My daughter in law, Lisa of Balancing Lisa recently showed me a smart and easy way to start my vegetable seeds. I couldn't wait to get started. Begin by saving and rinsing the plastic containers your fresh fruit and lettuce comes in from your grocery store. These serve well as a home to plant your seeds. Place your soil in the container, divide your vegetable seeds evenly, top with another layer of soil, spray the soil with your spray bottle and you're done. This year I am growing Livingston Seeds, a company that's been around since 1850.  I purchased my seeds at Wannemaker, our local garden shop.  Once they begin to sprout, transplant into larger containers and keep watered, making sure they have drainage on the bottom. Placing small stones under the soil in your container before planting helps achieve this. Remember, you can grow vegetables in containers on your deck or patio.   I'll keep you posted on the progress of my Independence Day tomatoes...happy gardening!

 

Out of the Dark

Two weeks ago we had 20 inches of snow on the ground and it was 16 below zero outside. 

Last week the temperatures gradually began a warming.

Slowly the snow is melting to unveil new flower sprouts popping up through the ground where the grass is now showing.

It's the circle of life and seasons.  

These new buds will truly be beautiful daffodils very soon. 

But they represent more than that. 

March 11 marks one year of stay at home during the pandemic.

This year March represents new life, energy and moving forward.

Of course we will continue to use caution.

Begin to plan your flower gardens as our lives move forward in this positive way.

Learn to plant your own vegetables to grow organically.

Harvest your garden and get creative with your meals.

Not only is it healthy for the body but healing for the soul.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

During this health crisis the world is in, we have all had to be resourceful and creative with the foods we have in our homes as we "stay at home".  As we are currently have limited access to the stores we shop, it makes sense to grow our own vegetables at home for several reasons. 

1. Colorful gardens make your yard attractive and inviting.

2.  Growing your vegetables will save you money and help your budget.

3.Being outdoors working in the garden and soil is a healthy way to bring out positivity as you soak up natural Vitamin D. 

4.  Growing your own vegetables organically will help the environment when you eliminate chemicals and pesticides.

5.  Family gardening is a great activity to do together. Having your children involved in growing their vegetables will help them understand and appreciate how the food gets to their table.  

I don't propose to be a great gardener but I make an effort to educate myself.  This week I have signed up for a virtual class in gardening given by Morton Arboretum, allowing us a chance to get answers on our garden and plant questions.  

I recently came across this combination for weed control I am going to try. 1/2 cup Epsom salt and 1/2 bottle vinegar together in a spray bottle and spray directly on the weeds.  I'll confirm during my virtual session if this formula will get the job done while not harming my garden.  Fingers crossed!

What are you growing in your garden this year?

1. 

Gardening Will Boost Our Spirits

Hello blog friends. This is certainly a difficult time we are going through together  It's important to focus on what we can do to keep our spirits up.  We are being encouraged to get out in our yards and soak up sunshine and vitamin D. If you haven't had time to think your garden plan out yet, it is the perfect weekend to head outdoors, put on your gardening gloves, grab a shovel and begin Spring yard clean up and preparing for our gardens. While outside yesterday, I found my daffodils blooming and it really  brightened my day!  

A trend I love involves recycling old bicycles.  If you have an old bike that has been hanging in your garage or shed for years, bring it out, spray paint it a vibrant color or leave it natural for a more rustic look.  Buy a basket for the front or front and back and place several of your favorite flower pots inside.  Put it in the front yard or lean it against a tree and your landscaping has a facelift. It's a cost efficient idea when many of us are temporarily on reserved income.

Be healthy and keep your spirits uplifted best you can. When you step outdoors please take several breaths in and out slowly to clear your mind.  And limit the time you are on social media and watching news coverage.  We are all aware of the things we should be doing.  Stay positive and I wish everyone a good day💛