Backyard Green Drink by Grace Lefever

I recently took a weed walk with Grace Lefever from Sonnewalds and learned of a new way to get leafy greens into my diet and all from my very own backyard. This is my rendition of her Green Drink.

Today I started with my garden greens of collards, red jagged kale, swiss chard, mint, basil, oregano, parsley, nasturtiums, anise hyssop, dill, and burnet.

After collecting from my garden I head to the edge of the woods for some wild edibles. Plantain, dandelion leaves and flower, lambs quarters, mulva leaves and flower, viola, red clover leaves and flower, white clover leaves and flower, and yellow clover leaves and flower.

Depending on the time of the season I would have more or less choices. Any leafy greens and edible flowers from the garden can be added along with seeds. When picking is slim I add  my sprouts and store bought organic greens.

I add to that a half of a peeled lemon, whole apple and about one and a half cup of water. I put all in my blender and run for a minute or until smooth then pour over a glass of ice. Makes about a quart depending on how much water you add.

Really tastes light and refreshing and makes me feel that I am starting my day on a healthy note.

Here's to happy, healthy gardening,
Cheers!

Creatures in the backyard here in Crows Nest

Happy Gardening!

Blossom End Rot....UGH!

Well, much to my disappointment, I have discovered that the tomatoes in my new raised bed have blossom end rot. I did  a bit of research and have found a few answers to my question of  WHY??  my tomatoes have blossom end rot.

http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/tomato-blossom-end-rot/
http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/blossendrot.html
http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/specialty/ber.html

Well, after some internet research, you can see that there are a few different opinions about the cause and cure for blossom end rot!
I have decided to add a bit of lime to my soil and water throughly. Hopefully this will help any new or existing fruit from BER!

My first orange tomato of the season...fortunately does NOT have B-E-R!!
Happy Gardening!

Worm Castings

I have always wanted to farm my own worm castings but haven't gotten around to it. Surprisingly, a friend gave me a bag the other day and I am so excited to use this in my garden. In my opinion, this has to be the best compost you could have for your garden. It is just pure organic matter!  

 I am making a compost tea with them. Very simple to do with a clean bucket,water and 2 or 3 cups of castings.  Add the castings to the bucket and then fill with water. Let it sit for a day or two. Use this "tea" for watering your garden.  The plant roots will absorb the compost nutrients directly.

Happy Gardening!

Consecutive Seeding

Happy Summer! Today is the first day of summer and I am already reseeding part of a 4x8 raised bed. The heat we had a couple of weeks ago really sent my lettuce, bok choi, pepper cress and spinach to bolt. It was ok in a smoothie but too bitter for a salad. Soooo, I pulled it out and reseeded green beans, cucumbers and zucchinni.

 This is my second seeding of these crops so I will be able to harvest through September. It is good to do two or more plantings so you won't have all of your veggies ripening at the same time.

I will reseed my leafy greens at the end of August for the fall harvest.
Happy Gardening!

Chilly Temperatures and Record Rainfall

So far this year we have gotten more than our fair share of rainfall coming in at 7 plus inches. The ground is so saturated that the farmers in our area are having trouble planting corn and potato crops. The daytime temperatures have fluctuated from the low 40's to the high 80's. All in all it has been a crazy spring weatherwise. With that being said, I am still moving forward with my warm weather plants while keeping a close eye on the temperatures both night and day.

Tomatoes don't like more than an inch of rain per week and temps under 50 degrees. Leafy greens, or any plant, don't like constant watering without some days of sun. This will and has rotted some of my lettuce. I have my tomato plants in the hoophouse under the cover of a plastic tarp and my leafy greens are in a hoophouse under rowcover material.  This has helped with the rainfall as well as the temps.

Here's a peek inside the rowcover.

Hope you are having good luck with your garden this soggy season!
Happy Gardening!

Leafy Greens Harvest

Picking greens out of your own garden doesn't get any fresher or healthier! Thought I would share a salad harvest out of my garden today. Buttercrunch lettuce, kale, spring onion, oregano, spinach and pepper cress.

This is what gardening is all about...eating healthier, making a smaller carbon footprint on the earth and the shear satisfaction of reaping the rewards of your labor.

Happy Gardening!