Welcome back to my blog and to the garden!! I am pleased to say I am taking all of the knowledge I've gained over the last year and applying it in this year's garden.
I've consulted a lot of gardening friends about how to cut down on weeds. I decided to try the landscape fabric and straw technique. I bought two rolls of fabric and put it down yesterday before I put my veggies in. The idea is that the fabric will help cut off the supply of sun to the weeds. Here's hoping it works!
Yesterday, I visited Tait Farms, a wonderful farm in Boalsburg, and purchased a load of veggies to plant. I bought onions (only one container this year!), lettuce (two kinds), bok choy and broccoli. I'll put peppers and tomatoes in after Memorial Day, when the soil temperature is at a consistent 70 degrees and more conducive to growing them. I also plan to plant herbs in pots after Memorial Day.
While at Tait's, I was able to enjoy their open house and try some yummy local food. I wound up buying a hunk of sharp cheddar cheese made by a local farmer in Millheim. I am a sucker for good cheese and aspire to someday make my own. I probably need to find someone with a cow first, but I'll work on that.
I am really excited at how popular gardening has become. We started a community garden program in the Township. We sold over 20 plots with very little effort. The best part is that some of the gardeners are people who live in apartments and therefore wouldn't have a way to grow their own food. Its great to see a push toward sustainability and healthy living. I really hope this fad sticks.
In addition to my garden, I've been busy getting the yard in shape. Last year, I was totally overwhelmed by the flower beds and the yard. This year, I've decided to tackle things in chunks. I've focused on the Oasis first. I planted the "gutter" of the trellis (which is really a planter) with some pretty flowers. I also redid the bottom of the trellis - I added more stones and ripped out the cheap plastic border. In its place, I made a border out of the rocks that the old homeowner picked from the garden and stored in my cellar. I got over my fear of the cellar and harvested a ton of rocks. I still have a ton, so if anyone needs rocks, please let me know!
I'm in a play, so the next three weeks are incredibly busy. Expect more posts once my turn as Mandi McCoy is over.
Until then, happy gardening!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Programming....
In 1992, I turned 18. Because Pennsylvania's primary was in May, I was able to vote in both the primary and the general election.
I remember how excited I was to be a voter and how seriously I took my responsibility. I can still remember sitting cross legged on the family room floor, the League of Women Voters Voter's Guide spread out before me, pen and paper in hand. I carefully read each candidate's positions and made a list of who I would vote for.
I believe I voted in a car dealership. My friend Taissia accompanied me to the polls. She was still 17, so she was very excited to watch her friend cast her first ballot. I voted for Bill Clinton.
After I graduated from high school, I prepared for college and kept a keen eye on the presidential race. I've always been a political junkie (I was a Jerry Brown supporter at one time). I watched the Democratic National Convention and felt inspired by Clinton and Gore. I even wrote a letter to the editor of the Harrisburg Patriot News, explaining why my ballot would be cast for Clinton and Gore. My parents, though they didn't agree with my political ideology (I'm much more liberal than the rest of my family), proudly cut my letter out of the paper and ran off copies to show to family and friends.
I started college at Penn State's main campus in August. George Bush made a campaign stop on Old Main lawn. I stood next to a man dressed as a chicken and booed loudly, even though I was nowhere near Presiden Bush. My roommate managed to get in the front of the crowd; she held up the Clinton Gore sign she smuggled in. After the rally, we hung it proudly in our room.
Since I coudn't travel home to Hershey to cast my ballot, my parents secured an absentee ballot for me. I sent my roommate out of our room (the ballot said it was to be filled out in secret, after all) and cast my ballot for Bill Clinton and Al Gore. I was energized and engaged, a voter in my first presidential election. I would remember this moment for the rest of my life.
On election night, we gathered in a floormate's room, popcorn and soda in hand. We were ready to ring in a new era. We could literally feel the world changing. As the results came in, we saw hope, we saw potential for our future.
Fast forward to this year. My hair is grayer, my chosen path a life in public service. I saw Barack Obama speak on Old Main lawn. I waited in line for 2 hours to gain a spot near the front. I was inspired by his message of change, his message of hope. He touched me in a way no candidate had done since Bill Clinton and Al Gore reached me as an 18 year old. I once again had hope for my country.
Today, I waited in line for 30 minutes to cast my ballot for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. As I did when I was 18, I cast my ballot for hope and inspiration.
Tonight, I sit here with tears in my eyes and our country again at a crossroads. I can see change coming, change that is so desparately needed. I see a country that will once again unite to take care of its own, to right its ship.
I wonder if there is another 18 year old who has been touched by Barack Obama in the way Bill Clinton reached me. To those newly-energized voters, I offer my congratulations. You voted in your first presidential election. Its a moment in time that will stay with you forever.
I remember how excited I was to be a voter and how seriously I took my responsibility. I can still remember sitting cross legged on the family room floor, the League of Women Voters Voter's Guide spread out before me, pen and paper in hand. I carefully read each candidate's positions and made a list of who I would vote for.
I believe I voted in a car dealership. My friend Taissia accompanied me to the polls. She was still 17, so she was very excited to watch her friend cast her first ballot. I voted for Bill Clinton.
After I graduated from high school, I prepared for college and kept a keen eye on the presidential race. I've always been a political junkie (I was a Jerry Brown supporter at one time). I watched the Democratic National Convention and felt inspired by Clinton and Gore. I even wrote a letter to the editor of the Harrisburg Patriot News, explaining why my ballot would be cast for Clinton and Gore. My parents, though they didn't agree with my political ideology (I'm much more liberal than the rest of my family), proudly cut my letter out of the paper and ran off copies to show to family and friends.
I started college at Penn State's main campus in August. George Bush made a campaign stop on Old Main lawn. I stood next to a man dressed as a chicken and booed loudly, even though I was nowhere near Presiden Bush. My roommate managed to get in the front of the crowd; she held up the Clinton Gore sign she smuggled in. After the rally, we hung it proudly in our room.
Since I coudn't travel home to Hershey to cast my ballot, my parents secured an absentee ballot for me. I sent my roommate out of our room (the ballot said it was to be filled out in secret, after all) and cast my ballot for Bill Clinton and Al Gore. I was energized and engaged, a voter in my first presidential election. I would remember this moment for the rest of my life.
On election night, we gathered in a floormate's room, popcorn and soda in hand. We were ready to ring in a new era. We could literally feel the world changing. As the results came in, we saw hope, we saw potential for our future.
Fast forward to this year. My hair is grayer, my chosen path a life in public service. I saw Barack Obama speak on Old Main lawn. I waited in line for 2 hours to gain a spot near the front. I was inspired by his message of change, his message of hope. He touched me in a way no candidate had done since Bill Clinton and Al Gore reached me as an 18 year old. I once again had hope for my country.
Today, I waited in line for 30 minutes to cast my ballot for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. As I did when I was 18, I cast my ballot for hope and inspiration.
Tonight, I sit here with tears in my eyes and our country again at a crossroads. I can see change coming, change that is so desparately needed. I see a country that will once again unite to take care of its own, to right its ship.
I wonder if there is another 18 year old who has been touched by Barack Obama in the way Bill Clinton reached me. To those newly-energized voters, I offer my congratulations. You voted in your first presidential election. Its a moment in time that will stay with you forever.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
I Am My Own Person
I was talking to someone about my garden this evening. I told this person that I planned on letting the front of the garden go to weeds for the remainder of the summer, now that the onions and the lettuce were done. I am going to just focus on hoeing and weeding the back of the garden, where my tomatoes and the watermelon plant are growing. I also told this person I planned on planting garlic this fall. I love garlic, so I'm excited to have it ready for use in the spring!
After I finish telling this person all of this, she says that since the garden is so much work, I should just plant grass in that area of my yard and be done with it. When I told her I intended to plant my garden again next year, she made some comment about how I wasn't really serious about gardening and that I shouldn't bother.
I AM 1,000 PERCENT SERIOUS ABOUT MY GARDEN!!!!!
I have found gardening to be a great way to relieve stress. I get great joy out of using my own two hands to grown my own food. I get great satisfaction from eating the veggies from my garden.
I can't understand why this person can't just be supportive of my gardening endeavors. This is not an altogether new thing for me. When I was in 5th grade, I somehow got a packet of carrot seeds. I planted the carrot seeds at the edge of our backyard, near the creek that ran behind our house. Needless to say, the carrots did not grow. When I lived in my apartment, I grew tomatoes in a pot. I have always wanted to grow my own food (and make my own cheese, but alas I need a cow for that).
This has become a passion for me. Its a lot of work, but it is very rewarding to me. I am already trying to figure out how to cut down on the weeds for next year. I'm also trying to plan exactly what I want to plant (I'm thinking cucumbers and zucchinis in addition to the tomatoes and onions). And I'm planning on planting my basil and other fresh herbs in small pots that I can keep in the kitchen during the winter. I just love fresh basil and can't imagine going back!
The best thing about every person on this planet is that we are all individuals. I am my own person. I happen to enjoy gardening.
After I finish telling this person all of this, she says that since the garden is so much work, I should just plant grass in that area of my yard and be done with it. When I told her I intended to plant my garden again next year, she made some comment about how I wasn't really serious about gardening and that I shouldn't bother.
I AM 1,000 PERCENT SERIOUS ABOUT MY GARDEN!!!!!
I have found gardening to be a great way to relieve stress. I get great joy out of using my own two hands to grown my own food. I get great satisfaction from eating the veggies from my garden.
I can't understand why this person can't just be supportive of my gardening endeavors. This is not an altogether new thing for me. When I was in 5th grade, I somehow got a packet of carrot seeds. I planted the carrot seeds at the edge of our backyard, near the creek that ran behind our house. Needless to say, the carrots did not grow. When I lived in my apartment, I grew tomatoes in a pot. I have always wanted to grow my own food (and make my own cheese, but alas I need a cow for that).
This has become a passion for me. Its a lot of work, but it is very rewarding to me. I am already trying to figure out how to cut down on the weeds for next year. I'm also trying to plan exactly what I want to plant (I'm thinking cucumbers and zucchinis in addition to the tomatoes and onions). And I'm planning on planting my basil and other fresh herbs in small pots that I can keep in the kitchen during the winter. I just love fresh basil and can't imagine going back!
The best thing about every person on this planet is that we are all individuals. I am my own person. I happen to enjoy gardening.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Itchy and Scratchy
I managed to pick up a nasty case of poison ivy. Apparently, it is growing in my front flower bed. I weeded the bed with my bare hands (dumb, I know) a week ago. I noticed these bumps, but thought nothing of it. On Thursday, the itching was unbearable and the bumps were starting to look like blisters. Having never had poison before, I consulted with a few people on my softball team and at work, who confirmed my suspicion.
The itching was terrible Thursday night. I finally sought help online. I tried just about everything, until I fell upon the best cure for the itching: a hair dryer. I turn the hair dryer on and aim it at my blisters. It produces this odd feeling of pleasure and pain, then kills the need to itch for hours at a time.
I went to the doctor on Friday, after I discovered the poison had spread to my face, neck and legs. I was given a prescription for some steriod cream and told I would have to get a shot if the cream didn't work. The doctor was not amused with my hair dryer technique and yelled at me for putting rubbing alcohol on my spots, as this will result in giving me excezma. Yum.
I'm hopeful that I've turned a corner, as the spots on my bad arm aren't nearly as bad as they were yesterday. The poison spread again to my chest, but I'm hoping that changing my towels after every shower will stop that.
Needless to say, I can't do any gardening until the poison clears up. I did tie some stakes around my tomato plants (I have 7 with tomatoes on them). I also noticed that my watermelon has little flowers on it. This apparently means that in another month or so, I will have watermelons. Yeah!
The motherload of onions are done. If anyone wants onions, please let me know. I have so many!
The itching was terrible Thursday night. I finally sought help online. I tried just about everything, until I fell upon the best cure for the itching: a hair dryer. I turn the hair dryer on and aim it at my blisters. It produces this odd feeling of pleasure and pain, then kills the need to itch for hours at a time.
I went to the doctor on Friday, after I discovered the poison had spread to my face, neck and legs. I was given a prescription for some steriod cream and told I would have to get a shot if the cream didn't work. The doctor was not amused with my hair dryer technique and yelled at me for putting rubbing alcohol on my spots, as this will result in giving me excezma. Yum.
I'm hopeful that I've turned a corner, as the spots on my bad arm aren't nearly as bad as they were yesterday. The poison spread again to my chest, but I'm hoping that changing my towels after every shower will stop that.
Needless to say, I can't do any gardening until the poison clears up. I did tie some stakes around my tomato plants (I have 7 with tomatoes on them). I also noticed that my watermelon has little flowers on it. This apparently means that in another month or so, I will have watermelons. Yeah!
The motherload of onions are done. If anyone wants onions, please let me know. I have so many!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Localvore
I have become a localvore. For those that are not familiar with the term, a localvore is someone who tries to eat as much food as they possibly can from local sources. I have been buying all of my produce from Harner Farms, a local farmers market that has the best produce around. Its open all week and is about 5 miles from my house. The food they sell is either grown on their farm or grown regionally and brought in for sale.
Today, I purchased a basket of peaches, a basket of string beans, two tomatos and a basket of blueberries for $12. At the grocery store, I would have paid $.99 a pound for peaches that were grown, picked and shipped from Georgia. How can they still be fresh after such a long trip?
Last week, I bought blueberries and cherries. Both were bursting with flavor. I'm excited to try the peaches. They were grown at the farm and look and smell fantastic!
I was telling the nice woman at Harners that I am using the market as a way to supplement what I'm growing in my own garden. She was very interested in hearing about what is growing in my garden. That's the other nice thing about being a localvore - my dollars are supporting the farm and the friendly employees like this woman.
I wonder what I will do in the late fall/winter, when there isn't any local produce to be found. I'm thinking about freezing some of the blueberries. I may also try to buy some extra peaches and can them for use over the winter. I will have to do some research into all of this, since I'm going to find it very hard to go back!
I'm off to pick an onion from my garden for my salad. I had the first onion out of my garden last week. It was yummy - very sweet and full of flavor. I had to buy lettuce at the grocery store, since the heat and dry weather has really stunted the growth of my lettuce. I may have to look into grow a few different varieties that tolerate the heat well next year.
Have a great week and remember: go local! Support your local growers and producers!
Today, I purchased a basket of peaches, a basket of string beans, two tomatos and a basket of blueberries for $12. At the grocery store, I would have paid $.99 a pound for peaches that were grown, picked and shipped from Georgia. How can they still be fresh after such a long trip?
Last week, I bought blueberries and cherries. Both were bursting with flavor. I'm excited to try the peaches. They were grown at the farm and look and smell fantastic!
I was telling the nice woman at Harners that I am using the market as a way to supplement what I'm growing in my own garden. She was very interested in hearing about what is growing in my garden. That's the other nice thing about being a localvore - my dollars are supporting the farm and the friendly employees like this woman.
I wonder what I will do in the late fall/winter, when there isn't any local produce to be found. I'm thinking about freezing some of the blueberries. I may also try to buy some extra peaches and can them for use over the winter. I will have to do some research into all of this, since I'm going to find it very hard to go back!
I'm off to pick an onion from my garden for my salad. I had the first onion out of my garden last week. It was yummy - very sweet and full of flavor. I had to buy lettuce at the grocery store, since the heat and dry weather has really stunted the growth of my lettuce. I may have to look into grow a few different varieties that tolerate the heat well next year.
Have a great week and remember: go local! Support your local growers and producers!
Friday, July 4, 2008
So That's What That Is For....
I've been a bad blogger - sorry!
I was really stressed about my ghetto garden full of weeds. Two weeks ago, I went online and googled how to control weeds in a garden. To my surprise and delight, it recommended using your hoe to rid your garden of the pesky weeds. I'm so happy my mom bought me my hoe!
I spent 4.5 hours hoeing the garden (why does that still make me giggle? Sometimes I can be a 12 year old!). I was so pleased with the outcome - all the ghetto weeds were gone! It really made the excruciating pain I was in for the next two days worth it. I have never spent so much time on my heating pad in all the years I've had it! But, I learned my lesson. I now plan on hoeing once a week to keep the weeds under control and prevent another back breaking session.
I spent 4.5 hours hoeing the garden (why does that still make me giggle? Sometimes I can be a 12 year old!). I was so pleased with the outcome - all the ghetto weeds were gone! It really made the excruciating pain I was in for the next two days worth it. I have never spent so much time on my heating pad in all the years I've had it! But, I learned my lesson. I now plan on hoeing once a week to keep the weeds under control and prevent another back breaking session.
So, the garden is now full of onions, lettuce, chives, tomatoes (3 kinds - grape, lemon yellows and jet something or others) and a watermelon. I planted the watermelon just to see if it will actually grown in our climate. In addition to the garden, I have two pots of basil (one is courtesy of Katie, who dropped 4 plants off to me), a pot of rosemary and a pot of mixed herbs.
I feel like I've been doing so much running around this summer and that I haven't fully been able to enjoy the Oasis. I plan on logging some hours out there tomorrow, if the weather cooperates. I did want to share a picture of the custom sign I had made at Memorial Day. Its very cute!
Lastly, I was at the beach last week with my family. Thank you to Katie for watering the garden while I was away. I didn't have to stress about my plants dying! And because we're so cute, here's a photo of my entire family taken on the front of our beach house.
Happy 4th of July everyone!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Ghetto Garden
Its been a long time since my last post. Sorry - its been a little busy up here.
I did harvest my first lettuce last week. It was yummy! Tonight, I harvested more. I will definitely be sharing with my coworkers, since I have more lettuce right now than I could ever eat. I made a grilled shrimp and asparagus salad with homemade dijon dressing. It was really good.
Its so satisfying to be eating food that I grew myself. I love that I cultivated and grew the lettuce that is now filling my stomach. I am going to plant my tomatoes and peppers this weekend so hopefully later this summer I will be able to make a complete salad from my very own garden.
I've been mulching since last week. Its a long and tedious process. I am able to fit 5 bags of mulch in my car at a time. So far I've purchased 10 bags. I have 3 more to put down this week, then I'll be heading back to Lowes for more. I definitely will be getting a load from a landscaping business next year, as it will be a lot easier and probably a lot cheaper. I'm definitely skimping on the 3 inches of mulch you are supposed to put down. Since its my first year, I'm just happy to be getting it down.
I need to spend time weeding my ghetto garden. The weeding has really gotten away from me and I'm now growing weeds and grass amongst my food! I was feeling a tad overwhelmed tonight at all of the work that needs to be done out back, but after I took a little break and calmed myself, I figured I will just have to take everything one day at a time. If my garden doesn't look perfect in the first year, so be it. As long as the food grows and I remember to water, I'll be happy.
I must run. I'm quite tired from all of the work I did tonight. I can definitely say that mowing the lawn, mulching and gardening is a great workout! I will definitely be sore tomorrow, that's for sure.
I will post pictures soon, I promise! Until then, visualize a non-ghetto garden. That's what I'm hoping to get to!
I did harvest my first lettuce last week. It was yummy! Tonight, I harvested more. I will definitely be sharing with my coworkers, since I have more lettuce right now than I could ever eat. I made a grilled shrimp and asparagus salad with homemade dijon dressing. It was really good.
Its so satisfying to be eating food that I grew myself. I love that I cultivated and grew the lettuce that is now filling my stomach. I am going to plant my tomatoes and peppers this weekend so hopefully later this summer I will be able to make a complete salad from my very own garden.
I've been mulching since last week. Its a long and tedious process. I am able to fit 5 bags of mulch in my car at a time. So far I've purchased 10 bags. I have 3 more to put down this week, then I'll be heading back to Lowes for more. I definitely will be getting a load from a landscaping business next year, as it will be a lot easier and probably a lot cheaper. I'm definitely skimping on the 3 inches of mulch you are supposed to put down. Since its my first year, I'm just happy to be getting it down.
I need to spend time weeding my ghetto garden. The weeding has really gotten away from me and I'm now growing weeds and grass amongst my food! I was feeling a tad overwhelmed tonight at all of the work that needs to be done out back, but after I took a little break and calmed myself, I figured I will just have to take everything one day at a time. If my garden doesn't look perfect in the first year, so be it. As long as the food grows and I remember to water, I'll be happy.
I must run. I'm quite tired from all of the work I did tonight. I can definitely say that mowing the lawn, mulching and gardening is a great workout! I will definitely be sore tomorrow, that's for sure.
I will post pictures soon, I promise! Until then, visualize a non-ghetto garden. That's what I'm hoping to get to!
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