Garden of Eatin' :: Monthly Archive

Archive | February, 2009

Updated Monsanto Information

by Amy on February 12, 2009 in Safe Seed

I added some companies to the “bad to buy from” list and updated the “good to buy from” list.

http://www.garden-of-eatin.com/how-to-avoid-monsanto/

Please note that Seminis IS Monsanto. If you see any seed or plant dealer reliably linked to either company, run for the hills. Or better yet, run for a safe company as is listed on the page I linked! It’s also available over there to the far right if you ever lose this post!

Less scatterbrained planning

by Amy on February 11, 2009 in General

The 2 year old finally chilled out long enough for a couple cells in my head to stop rattling and I made a list for what to grow. We went to Lowes for a few things and I found onion and potato starts so I got those to try out – russet and red potatoes and red and white onions. I got some of the seeds I wanted, plus “organic dirt” for the peat pots I also got. I was keeping a running tally in my head and ended up not getting the porta-greenhouse. Maybe later when I have a client or 2. I also went through my dad’s seed stash and pulled out a few to try, even though they are from 1997-2001. Worth a shot!

I’ll get a “before” photo of the garden up this weekend as well as the set up I end up with for the seed starting! I can’t wait to take the garden spot from where it is now to what I know it can be!

Anyway, my list:

Russet potato
Red potato
Red onion
White onion
Cucumber (slicing and pickling, some from my dad’s stash, some new)
Cabbage
Celery
Green pepper
Roma tomato
Zucchini
Carrot
Spinach
Green beans
Sugar snap & snow peas
Lettuce
Crookneck squash
Jalapeno (from my dad’s stash)
Corn – maybe
Herbs:
- Oregano
- Basil
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Sage – maybe, from my dad’s stash

This week, to do

by Amy on February 11, 2009 in Plans & Getting Going

Scatterbrained planning. The 2 year old is going through this “terrible two” stage I’ve never seen so intense – my other 3 were never were like this, and it’s really distracting to do anything, or even think a complete thought before a new temper tantrum starts. So I’m doing some very sporadic “to buy” and “to do” lists. I’ll try to have it all completed this weekend, with pictures…though if I don’t, assume the 2 year old “helped” :lol

To buy:

Peat pots/dirt
Mini greenhouse from previous post and maybe a shop light or two
Walla Walla onion seed
Celery seed
Cucumber seed
Cabbage seed
Basil seed
Chive seed

To do:

Start onion, celery, lettuce, and herbs!

Greenhouse, mini sized

by Amy on February 10, 2009 in Tools, Products & How To

While at Lowes getting a few things for hanging curtains and stopping drafts, I found this nifty little “greenhouse”. I have a SERIOUS lack of space in this house for starting seeds…after I get unpacked, I might be able to use one counter for one tray of starts – not enough! This is only $35 and will let me move it where ever in the house I have the most room, and outside when it’s time to harden off the baby plants. Of course I stopped myself from actually buying it so I could think about it, but I’ll go back soon and get it. This exact one pictured is from Target (same price, Lowes doesn’t have theirs listed), they also have a 4 teir.

And Google finally got a clue and started show GARDEN ads on my GARDEN blog. Whodathunk?

New home, neighborhood, garden!

by Amy on February 9, 2009 in General, Tools, Products & How To

Now that the toilet and bathroom sink work, we’re settling in well. The move wasn’t bad at all. Except my ex-landlord stalking me. But I blocked her and she doesn’t know our new address so it’s all good now.

Our new neighborhood seems excellent so far. One neighbor said hi the night we moved in and another came by today and welcomed us and told us all about everyone (without being all icky-gossipy), and I guess there are regular neighborhood get togethers during the summer, block parties and yard sales and stuff, so it’ll be fun for the kids.

The yard needs a lot of work, it’s been neglected at least 6 months. Lots of leaves for the composter. We had to leave our compost behind (it was beautiful compost too, kind of sad about that), and we have very clay soil here so I’ll be getting a lot of amendments for the garden. Once the temps get above about 55 and I can stand being outside (I’m hypersensitive to the cold – one of the big reasons I am SO GLAD we didn’t move to Idaho), I’ll get off my duff (hopefully by then I’m completely unpacked) and get the yard and garden going.

Thanks to Compostings for posting a link to Skippy’s Planting Calendar, super useful tool!!! Now that I know I need to be starting some seeds pronto, be watching for actual garden updates and pictures :bounce

Boxes! AHHHHHHHHH

by Amy on February 5, 2009 in General

I’m going to have nightmares about monster boxes, I swear. Our one car garage is completely packed with boxes and there’s a good roomful still inside, plus furniture. I hope the 24′ Uhaul is enough – I figured without my dad’s stuff here and the paring down I’ve been doing, we shouldn’t need a 26′! We’ll see tomorrow!

My own done/to do list to keep me motivated cause it’s really lacking right now:

Playroom packed
Kitchen packed except stuff we’ll need and the fridge (I was bad and bought paper/plastic plates, bowls, cups and silverware…errrr, plasticware)
Living room packed
Computer room packed except, obviously, the computers
Daughter’s room packed
Oldest son’s room almost done

Packing the master bedroom/younger kids clothes tonight

Everything else tomorrow?

Get the truck then:
-Empty the fridge and freezer
-Bathroom and linen closet
-Computers
-Put all bedding in bags w/names

To put in van:
Cat (in carrier so I survive the trip)
Dog
Computers
Diapers/wipes!

Leave cleaning supplies, come back Saturday and clean after we drop off the truck.

Did I mention we have no help? This will be so.much.fun. At least it’s not a long distance move.

To buy: new broom and mop (hold over from my pagan days, the idea is not to bring old dirt/vibes into the new house)

Our new house

by Amy on February 4, 2009 in General

We move in Friday! Woohoo! :banana

It wasn’t the house in the previous post, but it will definitely do. It’s already got a garden plot! And a fireplace, and all hardwood floors (I freaking hate carpets) and cherry cabinets in the kitchen. The 2 things I don’t like about it: the 3 very, very yappy annoying dogs next door (and only chain link between the houses) and the dishwasher is half size.It’s like this but a zillion years old (which is so weird because the rest of the house is updated):