environmentalism

Revive!

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It’s quite appropriate to me that my first post in…a while…is about gardening and SPRING! Both of these glorious things make me feel hopeful, rejuvenated, and motivated, none of which I’ve been feeling much of this year until the wave of warmth hit central VA this week.

I got my hands dirty yesterday.

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Transplanted some strawberries, hopefully to a better spot!

 

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Harvested winter greens that have been slowly but surely growing over the last 5 months.

 

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I found a few surprises as I weeded and sowed some pea seeds.

 

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Tried to convince myself that this is the year I will actually get good at composting…

 

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And I was reminded that

  • gardening is hard!
  • gardening is awesome!
  • I am a pretty lazy gardener and need to stick to crops that are “worth it” for me to grow and that I’ve had proven success with over the last 5 years in Charlottesville.  These are kale, lettuce, collards, mustard/asian greens, cucumbers, green beans, and damnitifidontfaileverytimeimstilltrying tomatoes!

I am going to try some straw bale gardens this year, I’d love any feedback and recommendations you have from experience with this technique.

 

All About Fall

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I know I’m a bit seasonally obsessed these days but it’s all around me! Everywhere I turn there are signs of fall.

Especially the garden…

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I grew exactly two okra.  I don’t think this lovely plant will be taking up space in my garden again, although the flowers and height of it are pretty even without the spears to pickle.

The Red Russian kale has turned into a small bush.  It’s definitely less preferable to the tender young leaves but fills my greens need when everything else is picked over.

 

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red russian kale

My poor green beans.

I managed to harvest about a dozen total, the rest were devoured by the groundhog.  Those precious beans I ate were the best I’ve ever had; tender and sweet and eaten raw a foot from the garden bed from whence they grew.

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My sister gave me an asian greens mix seed pack for my birthday back in May.  The spring planted was started a little late and bolted pretty quick but I hit it just right for the fall (if not, as usual, to thick).

This mix is awesome, lots of different types of mustard (without fail Tate comments on how hot and spicy the greens are every time we eat them, I think he likes it).

I’m hoping that the chard and lettuce in back of this bed will keep on keeping on through the winter but if the Farmers Almanac prediction of cold months to come is correct they will be taken out with many a deep freeze.

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The only thing left to plant this year is garlic.  I haven’t planted it for a year or two but the first year (post here) I got great scaps and the tastiest garlic ever so I think I’ll spend a few minutes shoving cloves in the earth this week.

Wherever you are, whatever the season, I hope your day is filled with fresh air, friendly folks, and a veggie or two. 🙂