tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324525612011-04-21T23:47:28.162-04:00The saga of one girl gardener in Southern Maine.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-8196416996257444732009-05-30T08:08:00.002-04:002009-05-30T08:43:06.359-04:00

In the last 10 months, I've discovered that the secret to sane parenting is to simplify and consolidate whenever possible. Some of you may notice that I've not updated The Gorham Garden in over a month. There's certainly plenty of stuff to write about, but running three blogs - one of which has daily requirements - and considering a fourth blog to have a place to share some of my non-food and

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-56513135635104458442009-04-14T07:49:00.006-04:002009-04-14T08:15:26.646-04:00

Today promises to be a warm day here in southern Maine. That's a good thing since today is the day the peas are scheduled to go into the garden. Other cool weather crops that get planted today are scallions, spinach, lettuce, shallots, and radishes. The mini hoop is coming down, but the cold frame is staying outside to provide a little shelter for seedlings.Inside on the grow table, the

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-43033887969124501402009-04-08T09:24:00.003-04:002009-04-08T09:34:28.629-04:00

So, my experiment of growing winter produce has come to an end. My results are mixed. The radishes and the swiss chard did not withstand the cold temperatures back in January. All that remains of these plants are some moldy, brown leaves. The lamb's lettuce and the kale are a different story. These two cold-hardy plants are happily getting larger every day. The lamb's lettuce is big enough

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-30029984603946207992009-03-22T10:00:00.005-04:002009-03-22T10:35:54.916-04:00

Oh, hello! Why yes, it has been almost a month since I last posted. It's been quite busy around here with a little girl that's becoming more and more mobile.The weather here in Maine has become decidedly springlike. That is not to say that it's warm, although it is warming up. There are even some pockets of ground to be seen in the back yard now.I didn't get to make it to the flower show this

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-46526471383256077872009-02-28T08:55:00.002-05:002009-02-28T17:03:57.257-05:00

So after much debate, several rounds of cutbacks and five or six charts of where I'm going to put stuff, I have finalized my seed list for 2009. The Winners for This Year's Garden Are:Leek - King RichardKale - Russian RedMache - VITLettuce - Claremont, Romaine, Green Oakleaf Galisse, Black Seeded Simpson, Buttercrunch, Iceburg, Summer Crisp Loma, and Green Forest RomainePepper - Islander, Ace,

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-12900889064498558232009-02-26T08:24:00.001-05:002009-02-26T08:24:51.093-05:00

Like most Americans these days, Husband and I have cut back to a more conservative spending lifestyle. I don't think that it's a bad thing and this period of budgetary evaluation is helping us pay down debt and identify some of the needless spending that we do.The garden was never one of those areas that was up for cutbacks - that is, until our beloved Muttley started having seizures. Then

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-34918799958891222432009-02-25T09:34:00.007-05:002009-02-25T09:43:40.167-05:00

No, I haven't finalized my garden for the year, but Deborah (who I'm claiming for my dream neighbor on the other other side of the house) over at North by Northwest had some extra seeds she was willing to share. The Moon & Stars watermelon just looked so cool that I simply have to try it. Of course, this means I have to re-re-rearrange the garden, but I was going to have to do that anyway.I'll

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-70674655488390522582009-02-23T07:52:00.004-05:002009-02-23T08:04:42.493-05:00

At 2:53 last Tuesday, I became Officially Ready For Spring. I held out longer than I thought I would. Despite having snowbanks that reach the birdfeeders again, this year the snowfall has come in clumps rather than snowing every day. It also seems to fall mostly after sundown, which sort of makes us like Camelot. You know, if the knights all rode around in plowtrucks and such.So this is the

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-14581902933020354792009-02-18T14:34:00.000-05:002009-02-18T14:34:01.014-05:00

Get your own - Open publicationHaving once worked in the print media biz, I find that I still love the feel of paper when it comes to my reading material. I'm also a magazine junkie and that means that I end up with stacks and stacks of periodicals that I have trouble parting with. It drives Husband crazy.Issuu kinda cool because it offers all of the full color glory of a magazine with none of

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-44823433952314510432009-02-16T09:00:00.001-05:002009-02-16T14:31:33.584-05:00

I'm a little late, but really, that's nothing new for me. Still nothing blooming in the house for this month's GBBD. I'm really ready for stuff though and by next month I should have lots of happy seedlings on the grow shelves.In lieu of something pretty to offer, I present last summers surprise violas.These were one of those serendipitous discoveries last spring. I didn't plant these, but of

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-69179229065209855322009-02-14T10:24:00.004-05:002009-02-14T10:47:48.057-05:00

GAAAHHHH!!!!!!!Still trying to get maximum fit in limited space. Refuse to cut any more plants. Saw the Van Doren Moon and Stars watermelon (purple and yellow!) in the Seed Savers Exchange catalog. Don't know what to do.Would that all of life was as pleasantly diverting (and exasperating) as sitting on the sofa, eating Valentine's Day chocolates and trying to plan the garden.Time's ticking by!

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-40021230931437873772009-02-11T08:25:00.001-05:002009-02-11T08:29:42.337-05:00

This is all that's left of the dry firewood. Let's hope this warming trend continues.For those folks thinking about switching to firewood to heat their houses during the winter, I offer this bit of advice. If you live in a small cape, are heating exclusively with wood, have a modern, high-efficiency woodstove insert, and live someplace like Maine where the cold weather starts in October and

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-74728260607688529822009-02-07T13:28:00.004-05:002009-02-07T17:06:46.523-05:00

I'm sad to say that due to the limited size of my February Fantasy Dinner Party (sponsored by VP at Veg Plotting), there had to be some snubbing. Perhaps my "B" list guests will forgive me and attend a future Fantasy Luncheon sometime.My first guest is promptly escorted to the kitchen to help me prepare dinner. Rob Evans of Hugos in Portland does amazing things with local products and while

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-68527347898725088322009-02-06T07:52:00.003-05:002009-02-06T08:22:27.359-05:00

I'm still charting out seeds to make sure I have room for all the stuff I want to grow this year. There are already items that have been cut like the butternut squash, the watermelon, one of the two varieties of cauliflower and the onions. There's just no room in the veggie beds this year.The Brandywine tomatoes are teetering on the edge of being axed from the list. On the one hand, I'm not

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-80120874378754462192009-02-01T17:02:00.002-05:002009-02-01T17:02:09.047-05:00

This year's Flower Show is almost here! Doors open to the public on Thursday, March 12 at 10AM and it goes until the plant auction on Sunday.Tickets can be purchased at most of the larger local greenhouses and at Hannifords. You can find more information about this year's show on the PFS website. Now, pardon me while I go do my happy dance of "It's Almost Spring" joy.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-48291835683795697442009-01-31T09:55:00.004-05:002009-01-31T10:36:07.665-05:00

Yup. I had a finished list of seeds, then a new catalog came in. I revised the list and heard about a third catalog that I just had to check out before I made any final decisions. Then I had a re-revised list and started to map out the garden to make sure I had room for all of it. Now I'm in the process of re-re-revising my list (and my garden schematic for that matter.)It got me thinking

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-3290695975781550512009-01-29T23:49:00.004-05:002009-01-30T00:09:48.879-05:00

Once again buried under a couple feet of snow, I've turned my nose to the book that was recommended by one of the great garden bloggers out there. I wish I remembered which one of you it was, because Weathering Winter: A Gardener's Daybook by Carl Klaus has me rethinking the season.Interestingly enough, the entry for January 29 reads:"...I was momentarily surprised by the light radiating once

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-70903249986106205192009-01-20T09:09:00.000-05:002009-01-20T09:09:01.080-05:00

I was flipping through my Flickr album and noticed that there was a comment on this photo. I checked it out and someone has identified my weird bug!It is a Isa textula or a crowned slug moth larvae and it's a good thing I didn't poke at it because apparently, this delicate looking thing has stingers. I don't know how serious a crowned slug moth larvae sting is, but I don't plan on finding

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-8113037056777960772009-01-18T09:15:00.002-05:002009-01-18T10:41:03.197-05:00

The weather guy from Channel 6 made mention the other day that we're entering the coldest part of winter. March seems so far away without the din of the holidays to distract me. Hearing that we will have highs in the single digits is just disheartening.February by Dar Williams is a great song for this time of year. If you don't know the song, the above video features it. My favorite part of

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-82163594932991395782009-01-16T09:33:00.002-05:002009-01-16T09:39:01.619-05:00

Painter Andrew Wyeth died today at age 91. He was a summer resident here in Maine and much of his work showcases the state.I wouldn't exactly call him a landscape painter, but there are plenty of plants and gardens in his work.Check out his website to see more of his work.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-41370460080310813532009-01-15T20:14:00.003-05:002009-01-15T20:35:44.588-05:00

In my dream neighborhood, the house on one side is occupied by Ali from Henbogle and on the other side by Carol at May Dreams. Ali has chickens and a hoop house and Carol is always coming up with interesting things such as the Garden Blogger's Bloom Day.The idea is that everyone take a picture of what's blooming in their garden. Being January in Maine, there's nothing blooming in my garden (

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-73047935091145215412009-01-14T08:35:00.004-05:002009-01-14T12:20:48.624-05:00

Roger Doiron over in Scarborough just sent word that his Eat The View campaign is the winner of the On Day One initiative.Won is sort of an understatement. Of 81 entries, the Eat The View campaign smashed the competition with a whopping 3994 votes. The next closest suggestion was the Create a Cabinet Level Department of Peace which received 1562 votes.Now this doesn't mean that the Obamas have

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-63774099899807613162009-01-12T08:32:00.000-05:002009-01-12T08:32:49.373-05:00

Took this photo of the yard yesterday. Pretty but very cold.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-78662856341928738392009-01-10T14:56:00.002-05:002009-01-10T14:57:26.064-05:00

It was well worth the time an effort to test my old seeds. Based on my results, there are several vegetables that I won't need new seed for. These are Lincoln peas that I bought back in 2006 (or maybe 2005), and as you can see, time has been kind to them. Since I tested 10 of each kind of seed, the percentage math was pretty easy to figure out. These peas had a 90% germination rate and that's

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-19113167058106172132009-01-05T08:54:00.000-05:002009-01-05T08:54:01.771-05:00

It's here! It's here! Glee! I'm looking forward to spending some time picking out this year's crop. Now, if you'll pardon me, there's a pot of tea and a cozy chair waiting for me to do my research.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-3240706979682090712009-01-03T08:52:00.001-05:002009-01-03T08:52:00.402-05:00

I have a glut of unused seeds in my mudroom. Most of the time, even the small packets have more seeds than I have room for. I'm working on making more garden space for this stuff, but in the meantime, it seems kind of wasteful to just order new seeds and throw out the old.In true Yankee spirit, this year I'm testing my leftover seeds to see if they are still viable. I've done this in the past

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-91400476669225208912009-01-01T08:48:00.001-05:002009-01-01T08:48:00.511-05:00

They say that when you make resolutions, you have a better chance of keeping them if you can be specific and keep them simple. Rather than saying you're going to work out, resolve to do 10 situps a day. In that spirit, here are my 9 garden resolutions for 2009:1. I'm going to turn the compost once a month.2. I'm going to install 6 new raised beds for vegetables.3. I'm going to plant a new

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-45527115807731743972008-12-28T09:00:00.003-05:002008-12-28T10:14:22.001-05:00

The shortest day of the year has come and gone and now it's just a matter of time before the days are brighter and warmer. I may be rushing things a little, but the first part of the year is when I start thinking about what I'm going to do out in the garden this year.Not being pregnant will make it easier to bend over and reach the plants, but my little Buttercup may be starting to scoot

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-92034398879302381072008-12-26T09:12:00.002-05:002008-12-26T09:12:00.453-05:00

It's taken a while, but I have finally learned how to say the word mache. It's pronounced mosh and after all the verbal stumbling, I should just call it lamb's lettuce.Things have definitely slowed down out in the mini-hoop. I was kind of expecting that since it's been so cold. The radishes, kale, chard and scallions will hopefully hang on until it starts to warm up in the spring and then,

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-36642442859734016342008-12-24T09:02:00.003-05:002008-12-24T09:02:00.519-05:00

Hope yours is merry and bright!

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-83677416790405271062008-12-22T09:16:00.002-05:002008-12-26T15:19:29.202-05:00

My mother-in-law, Kronk, lent me her new book on making cuddly creatures from old socks. I love that I have a fun new use for all those lone socks who have lost their mates in the laundry. I have a theory that there is a warehouse in Washington, possibly beneath the Reflecting Pool, that houses the Ark of the Covenant, Jimmy Hoffa and billions of lone socks.I may have issues.Sock critters are

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-46479821794490106442008-12-20T08:53:00.002-05:002008-12-20T09:03:52.211-05:00

It just doesn't feel quite like Christmas without wreaths and other evergreens decorating the place. Since we're trying to do the holiday without spending a fortune, I opted for keeping the branches we trimmed from the tree and using them to make my own wreaths this year.It was certainly cheaper than if we had bought a tree AND wreathes but it's not one of my favorite holiday tasks. I hate

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-34858521998913085252008-12-18T09:38:00.001-05:002008-12-18T09:38:00.832-05:00

Looking for that last minute gift for your loved one in the Indianapolis area? Why not give them a vegetable garden? Noah Herron has a great company called Urban Farmer Seeds. In addition to selling heirloom seeds in recycled packaging, he offers the opportunity for everyone - even you busy people - the chance to grow your own vegetables. He'll come out and set your garden up and then you can

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-1621918167960938582008-12-16T08:44:00.001-05:002008-12-16T08:44:00.670-05:00

I bought this sweet bay a few years ago at Skillins Greenhouse up in Brunswick. I love the flavor of bay in soups and stews, but I hate how quickly the leaves lose their flavor when stuck in a jar. When I saw that I could grow my own bay leaves in a pot, I jumped at the chance to have fresh bay leaf at my disposal when ever I needed it.In its preferred Mediterranean habitat, the bay will grow

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-74677263224251649042008-12-14T09:13:00.005-05:002008-12-14T09:13:00.685-05:00

In my continuing quest to delude myself that I can get my daughter to like vegetables (and gardening) if I make them cute and cuddly, I present my knitted eggplant. The top is not the quality that I would have liked. I picked up purple stitches when I closed the eggplant up and that messed with how the top looks.My leaves were insolent and needed to be tacked down with a bit of yard. Pretty

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-81070073489593316182008-12-11T09:10:00.000-05:002008-12-11T14:22:33.346-05:00

Today's impending ice storm got me thinking about the birches.I don't like birches. Yeah, yeah, I hear you. They are pretty. The white bark and the silvery-green leaves are an attractive addition to any landscape. They are great to look at all year long. The problem is that they seem to be a very soft wood. Last winter, the three little birches on the far side of the pool bent over the

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-12510620414645208202008-12-08T08:50:00.003-05:002008-12-11T14:06:06.132-05:00

While it's not officially winter just yet, we did get our first dusting of snow yesterday. It didn't last long, but it certainly put me in the holiday mood.I'm always excited about the first snows of the year. Christmas should always be white and there's a part of me that feels bad for the folks who live in climates where they have to put lights on their cactus or palm trees. Four seasons (OK

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-85606273486921066742008-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:002008-12-06T09:00:00.716-05:00

I know I'm delusional, but I have this grand idea that if I make cute stuffed veggies for my little Buttercup that she'll grow up thinking they are cool and fun.Hey, a parent can dream, can't she?I had extra green and orange yarn left over from the eggplant and pumpkin hats, so I knit this carrot. It was super easy and Buttercup seems to love its squishiness. She may never love the real thing,

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-7681689927605672502008-12-04T10:19:00.002-05:002008-12-07T14:09:14.744-05:00

My mother-in-law, Kronk, found the most wonderful book the other day. It's called Stray Sock Sewing by a guy named Daniel.The critters he makes are just so charming. They remind me of the creatures in a Miyazaki film and they are so easy to make, I don't know why I didn't figure this out for myself.I would love little beings like this wandering around my garden and as I've recently come into

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-62075948784434983902008-12-02T09:15:00.001-05:002008-12-02T09:15:00.304-05:00

Maine shrimp season started yesterday and will go until the end of May this year. I can't begin to describe how much I've been looking forward to shrimp. Sure I could go out and buy some at the grocery store, but ever since I read the Washington Post article about the shrimp from China that were laced with banned veterinary drugs. There have also been instances of shrimp being imported from

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-10585871143699093482008-11-30T09:13:00.000-05:002008-11-30T09:13:00.198-05:00

Fuel was just too expensive last year so we're hoping we've done the smart thing and added a woodstove to the oil and electric heat available in the house. This week has really given it a run for its money. BRRRR!! With temps in the low 20's already, the end of Autumn already feels like January.I grew up in a house heated by woodstoves. Perhaps it's just nostalgia talking, but it is such a

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-35716235971086211882008-11-28T09:01:00.002-05:002008-12-01T15:30:50.678-05:00

The Beef Coalition (aka Mom & Dad, Jeremy, Jeremy's sisters-in-law, and us) finally got our respective cow quarters the other day. When we get tired of turkey, we can switch to steak!The meat comes from Ben Hartwell over at Sebago Lake Ranch. It's all grass-fed beef with no added hormones or feed antibiotics. Its got a beefier taste than feedlot raised cattle, but I kinda like it. I'm

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-35726071265477686362008-11-26T09:00:00.003-05:002008-11-26T09:00:00.565-05:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and as I've got 16 people to feed, I thought I'd say "thanks for reading my blog" a day early. I hope you all have a wonderful Turkey Day. This year I'm extra thankful for my little Buttercup.In these rough times, we all need a good laugh and this editorial from Dave Barry circa 1990 always makes me chuckle.Thanksgiving is a time when we pause to BUUURRRP. Excuse me.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-68347786035275357882008-11-24T12:11:00.000-05:002008-11-24T12:54:36.494-05:00

Take a look! The kale, chard, radishes, scallions and mache seem quite happy in the mini-hoop. The seeds that I planted directly in the raised bed look a lot nicer than the ones I started in the house and transplanted.Unfortunately, I'm not sure that it's warm enough in the mini-hoop to keep these guys growing. The big thing with winter gardening seems to be getting them planted so they get a

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-56714545809769257222008-11-22T08:46:00.001-05:002008-11-22T16:23:22.597-05:00

I've been trying to find bales of straw. It's not as simple as the middle of summer when you can find them at every farm stand. People just aren't thinking about straw or hay this time of year, unless it's for livestock and even then, folks have already stocked up.What's it for, you ask? I had thought to anchor the plastic of my mini-hoop with the bales. They'd keep everything in place and

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-27589003777119733912008-11-20T09:00:00.000-05:002008-11-20T09:00:02.085-05:00

So, this is my firepit. I am fond of this little arrangement even if it never got used this year. I like the concept of this outdoor room, but like the rooms of my house, it's in desperate need of some decorating.The big granite blocks are more comfortable than they look, but rocks can always benefit from a cushier element. I'd like to make some small pillows for people to sit on if they like

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-22582793125865740652008-11-18T08:39:00.000-05:002008-11-18T08:39:00.729-05:00

That's what I keep repeating to myself every time I go out into the back yard. It's bad enough that I didn't garden this summer, but I find it next to impossible to do a proper job of yard cleanup now that fall is here. My little Buttercup loves to be outside, but I find it nigh on impossible to bend over and clean out weeds while carrying her.What's a new mom to do but avert her eyes and

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-14894218745845234352008-11-16T08:35:00.001-05:002008-11-20T13:43:10.600-05:00

For those of you that don't read comments, Ali from Henbogle pointed out that Mr. Coleman has yet another suggestion for growing winter crops, making it even more easy and affordable for folks to grow their own food year round here in Maine.Check out the article on Season Extension with Low Tunnels on the MOFGA website. Yeah, I know I keep harping on about winter gardens and this Coleman guy,

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-79709511222064528592008-11-14T08:51:00.001-05:002008-11-14T08:51:00.265-05:00

WCSH6 did an interview the other day with Eliot Coleman of Four Season Farm. Check it out - he talks a bit about winter gardening in Maine.Where do I sign up to intern?!

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-51320652110653802892008-11-12T08:36:00.002-05:002008-11-13T21:06:11.622-05:00

Oh how I would love this to be a full 8x16 hoop house, but alas, it is the Mini Me version of Ali's beautiful structure. This is my mini hoop house that is the last part of my winter vegetable experiment.According to the research, the two big factors for growing in the winter are light - which we apparently have enough of - and temperature. To give plants a little more growing time and a little

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-9179897737687767682008-11-10T08:56:00.001-05:002008-11-11T10:56:42.297-05:00

I got some disappointing news the other day from Johnny's Seeds. It seems that they had some blue mold problems with they're stock and some garlic bulbs may be affected. If the weather is particularly wet, the mold could turn the garlic yellow and kill it.I applaud Johnny's for letting its customers know about this in advance. They said in the letter that if any customers have a problem with

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-26924804816995053342008-11-08T09:00:00.001-05:002008-11-08T09:00:01.447-05:00

No leaves.No snow.November.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-8065430073592390902008-11-06T09:00:00.002-05:002008-11-06T09:00:01.892-05:00

I was looking forward to picking out baby clothes, but the mother-in-law, Kronk, has gone crazy over her first grandbaby and has bought my little Buttercup complete wardrobes that will last through her second birthday.I am not exaggerating.Since my thunder has been stolen on the clothes-buying front, I have opted to make hats. Veggie hats to be specific.This little pumpkin number is a

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-51259566659809057572008-11-04T09:00:00.004-05:002008-11-04T09:00:01.376-05:00

It's Election Day and no matter who you're supporting in this year's campaign, make sure you get out and vote. I know I wrote about this before, but if you haven't seen it yet, check out the interesting work over at Eat the View. It's a campaign to get the next president to reinstate a vegetable garden on the White House lawn.As a gardener, I support that message.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-43027846568996217322008-11-02T09:00:00.001-05:002008-11-11T11:09:55.841-05:00

The amazing Ali over at Henbogle has built a hoop house out of fairly mundane items. Even better, she posted a how-to of sorts that is just awesome!I'll have pictures and details about my own mini hoop house soon. Until then, drool with me over the sheer coolness that is the Henbogle hoop house. I know I'll be keeping tabs on how it does so I can convince Husband he wants to help me build one

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-14696260477958319052008-10-31T09:00:00.000-04:002008-10-31T09:00:01.734-04:00

Just in time for Halloween! I have no idea what kind of bug this is, but it is pretty weird looking. Maybe it's the vanguard for an alien invasion to take place tonight when the ghosts and goblins are out and about...Happy Halloween!

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-55167578984663667822008-10-29T08:02:00.007-04:002008-11-05T22:08:34.210-05:00

Unless you've been away for the last few weeks, or are from away and don't keep up with all the news from Maine, you know by now that the lobster industry has taken a hit in the current economic troubles. The Portland Press Herald has a story today about how local sales are helping lobstermen get by.I know I've been helping out and eating lobster when I can. I even eat lobster for my little

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-36327653433789018692008-10-27T09:00:00.000-04:002008-10-27T09:00:04.121-04:00

So here we are in our cold frame out in what is to be my greatest vegetable garden yet. I have big plans for this patch of yard when next spring comes around, but for right now, there are two raised beds. One has my garlic in it and the other is home to my winter garden experiment.I've planted seedlings in some of these sections and direct seeded some of the others. In my frenzy to get stuff

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-67306296813528523162008-10-25T09:00:00.003-04:002008-10-25T09:00:00.841-04:00

It would seem that chrysanthemums are the flowers of choice for autumn in Maine. It's no wonder really when you consider the selection of colors they come in, the assortment of bloom shapes and the shear number of blossoms that one plant produces. Buy yourself a couple of pots and a pumpkin or two and BLAMMO! Instant Fall display.I've been told that chrysanthemums won't survive a winter here

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-6217334628138529632008-10-23T09:00:00.001-04:002008-10-23T09:00:00.849-04:00

News of the growing season is always interesting to me, whether it's a working farm or someone's collection of potted veg on their back deck. I always seem to learn something by listening to other gardeners. No one here in Maine seemed to have luck with their tomatoes this year but it turns out that the rutabaga crop did just dandy for at least one farm.I've been considering growing more root

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-5342709702630852682008-10-21T09:00:00.003-04:002008-10-21T09:00:01.325-04:00

So the other day, Dad was at the house helping out with some yard work. While I ran some errands for Husband, Dad set about clearing the brush and scrubby trees from out at the end of the driveway.I came home and saw him moving branches. I believe my exact words were "Hey Pop! That looks really great! It really opens up the... WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BLUEBERRY?!?"*Sigh*This is all that remains

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-68893009462666355552008-10-19T09:00:00.000-04:002008-10-19T09:00:00.568-04:00

Who'd a thunk someone would get so excited about the first sprouts of an Autumnal garden? Usually by this point, I'm glad for a break from life outside. This year though, I'm making the season last just a little bit longer so that I get a chance to play.I took this photo, but didn't mark down what it was. I think this is the Kale. It could be the mache. In any event, stuff is sprouting

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-84293245907433078542008-10-17T09:24:00.003-04:002008-10-17T09:24:00.312-04:00

So, Husband turns to me the other day as we are watching a documentary on giant pumpkins and the people that love them and asks "What on earth do you do with a pumpkin that size?"The good folks of Damariscotta have the answer. Move over Cinderella.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-79892212323804040722008-10-15T09:00:00.004-04:002008-10-15T09:00:04.499-04:00

So my gardening "jet-lag" is still in full swing and since I missed out on all the veggie fun this past summer, I'm all backward. This is my new selection of seeds for my fall and winter growing project. I feel that I deserve a cookie for choosing only five items for my first round of experiments. Since Husband didn't wince when the order came in, I think my restraint in this matter is

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-35438985285525151512008-10-13T09:00:00.000-04:002008-10-13T09:00:01.532-04:00

My little Buttercup is two months old now and growing like a weed, but her presence in our lives meant that I missed out on this year's vegetable gardening. That's n0t such a huge loss when you consider how much rain we had this year but I still missed planting seeds, transferring seedlings to the garden and trying to figure out what to do with all the vegetables.What's a garden geek to do but

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-21498074312058224322008-10-11T08:46:00.005-04:002008-10-18T15:37:44.490-04:00

Up in Bowdoinham, there's a new purveyor of locally grown greens. The company is called Locally Known and not only are they providing the public with fresh, local produce, they're offering an opportunity for organic farmers in the area to get in on the action.This is a great boon for Maine eaters, especially this day an age where fruits and vegetables from away get recalled for making folks

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-88771923323661961292008-10-09T09:00:00.003-04:002008-10-09T09:00:01.068-04:00

My compost pile hasn't been turned this year, something that gets on my nerves in the same way looking at all the weeds that didn't get pulled or identified sets my teeth to gnashing. Stuff just had to be dropped from the schedule and sadly, my garden projects were among the first to go.This segment from Channel 6 about starting a compost pile made me want to grab my turning fork and compost

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-30682518212332505942008-10-07T09:00:00.003-04:002008-10-07T09:00:00.546-04:00

To keep them or not to keep them, that is the question. Blackberry bushes seem to be everywhere in my yard. With the exception of one lone plant, none of them produce anything but rather nasty thorns. So my big question all summer has been do I keep that one bush or do I wage war against this prickly creeper?On the one hand, I did get a couple of handfuls of berries. They were surprisingly

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-19788115638531854002008-10-05T09:00:00.008-04:002008-10-18T16:00:12.672-04:00

I had this little shady spot out behind the garage that some previous owner had obviously intended to use as a flower bed. By the time we bought the house, there wasn't much left to it except one sad Bleeding Heart and a bunch of weeds.I've never lived anyplace where I have as many shady spots as I do in this house. Huge trees abound and I found myself at a loss for what to plant. I like

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-23679866479167906342008-10-03T09:00:00.002-04:002008-10-03T09:00:05.257-04:00

Although this summer threatened to drown us all, I was surprised to see how well my transplanted sage did this year. I shoved it into a blank spot near the chives and rhubarb. The other herbs did alright, but this sage just went gangbusters. I've used it in a couple of dishes - including an especially tasty white bean soup. Sadly, I find that I like the taste of fresh sage much more than the

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-57155927200515404152008-10-01T09:00:00.000-04:002008-10-01T09:00:04.522-04:00

My rain barrel is drained and put away for the season, but I wanted to share the stand we built for it.Since neither Husband nor I are particularly handy people, we needed an option that required no skilled labor on our part. Fortunately, I found this really cool website that shows how to build a stand for your rain barrel using about $40 in pre-fab materials from Home Depot.Unlike the picture

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-18685018928037076852008-09-30T09:00:00.001-04:002008-09-30T09:00:01.286-04:00

September and October mark the end of the growing season for most folks here in Maine. Channel 6 did a nice segment on closing down the garden for the season, which I thought I'd share in case you missed it.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-70935500299852257392008-09-29T09:00:00.001-04:002008-09-29T09:00:02.231-04:00

Frequent readers may remember my battle last year with white grub and a patch of lawn that came up in clumps like I was snatching a bad toupee off a bald man.I am pleased to report that my grass seeding efforts this spring paid off and a nice patch of green now sits where once there was none.I took this photo back in June, so it's filled in even more than shown here. There are no signs that the

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-32272702194609763512008-09-27T09:00:00.001-04:002008-11-04T09:05:35.792-05:00

With the tomato season being so dismal this year, I didn't have much hope for my pepper plants. I was pleasantly surprised however. No, none of my peppers managed to get to the ripe red stage. Considering how late in the year I started the seeds and how rainy it was combined with being largely ignored, I'm amazed that I got any peppers at all.I planted three varieties. Two were from seeds

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-73863142800703553182008-09-25T09:00:00.000-04:002008-09-25T09:00:02.187-04:00

This was not a good year for tomatoes. Nearly every gardener I spoke with had stories of disappointment with their crop. Either the plants were stricken with wilt or blight or just washed away entirely.It's quite amazing really. Tomatoes have to be one of the easiest vegetables to grow. I usually plant three Roma tomatoes and end up pitching half of them into the compost pile because I just

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-86997820804315625342008-09-24T09:00:00.000-04:002008-09-24T09:00:04.124-04:00

When we bought the house last year, I was delighted to discover that we had a highbush blueberry right out at the end of the driveway. Last year's berries were pretty well picked over by the end of July, but thanks to my attentive eye and the hunting prowess of George the Cat, we had a bumper crop of blueberries this year.I don't really know a lot about fruit bushes. In fact, before finding my

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-35283095221223048172008-09-22T09:03:00.000-04:002008-09-22T10:03:11.170-04:00

While my little Buttercup won't be joining me in climbing trees and picking bushels of juicy, locally-grown apples any time soon, I still stopped by Moulton's Orchard to grab a bag of pre-picked beauties. Last year, I discovered the wonder that is the Jonagold.Jonagolds were introduced in the late 60's as an cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious. I have always found any apple with "

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-5477738240338662422008-09-20T03:00:00.000-04:002008-09-20T08:52:29.994-04:00

I love the Fryeburg Fair. It is the herald of autumn for me and has all the things you want in a country fair.My favorite event is by far the Sheepdog Trials which are always held on the first Sunday of the fair. It is in the plan for retirement to get a sheepdog and a few sheep and learn to herd. Ok, I admit that that plan may never come to fruition, but it sounds like a good time, doesn't it

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-78547162226030211202008-09-19T09:55:00.005-04:002008-09-19T09:55:00.878-04:00

The Union 74 elementary school Lunch Ladies and administration get super bonus XP (that's experience points for the non-gamer-geek-gardener's out there) for puting locally grown foods on the school menu. The organizers have started a group called Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools (or FARMS) to get Maine institutions to buy locally grown foods and to get kids to eat better and learn a

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-19806613013962744462008-09-18T09:42:00.001-04:002008-11-04T09:07:57.497-05:00

This year's potato experiment has come to an end and I am pleased with the results.When last I spoke of my little spuds, I was overdue in getting the second helping of soil into the plastic bags. Ah, the abuse they suffered between then and harvest.I never did get additional soil onto the potatoes after that second helping. I never weeded them or watered them or fertilized them. In fact, they

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-44536352872394297082008-09-16T09:43:00.000-04:002008-09-16T09:43:00.590-04:00

Let no one say that I can't learn from past mistakes. Last year, I harvested a beautiful crop of garlic from my old veggie bed. I was so proud of it as it hung drying in the large doorway between the mudroom and kitchen. I dreamed of all the delicious things I would make with it. Then, disaster struck. It turned out that I hadn't given enough airflow to my little garlic bulbs and in the

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-15087322022814444562008-09-14T14:46:00.003-04:002008-09-18T10:33:16.437-04:00

I'm not going to make it to this very fun fair this year and I'm kinda bummed about that. I always love checking out the animals, the award winning vegetables, the yarn and, of course, the food. Perhaps we'll get to go next year when Buttercup is a little bigger and Husband hasn't already taken several weeks away from work.In the meantime, The Common Ground Fair is held up in Unity on September

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-32488732914232489302008-09-13T08:32:00.006-04:002008-09-13T09:17:29.870-04:00

Gardener Roger Doiron from Scarborough has an interesting proposition for the next President - reinstate the White House vegetable garden on the lawn. As an undecided voter, a pledge to do just that might help tip my vote.Check out the Press Herald article from September 7 or visit the Eat The View website to sign the petition or view some of the other videos.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-62808352426970690732008-09-06T13:30:00.000-04:002008-09-06T13:30:00.138-04:00

Ah, the government, lobbyists and our food supply - is there any scarier combination? The latest bit of fun from the Department of Agriculture prohibits a Kansas meat packer from testing all of the cows it processes for mad cow. Apparently, some of the bigger meat processors feel that if this one company does it, then they'll have to too and that's just too expensive for them. I think what

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-92085679093512068912008-09-04T10:10:00.001-04:002008-09-04T10:10:00.390-04:00

This is my anniversary dirt. It was a gift from my Mother-In-Law, Kronk, last year. I think she had taken pity on me that the soil in my new yard was a mix of sand and clay and would take years to build up properly. Unfortunately, I never got around to putting the garden beds in last fall and with the project of being pregnant all this season, my anniversary dirt is still in a pile in my front

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-33942064160693501652008-09-01T12:41:00.003-04:002008-09-01T12:54:41.714-04:00

It's been almost two months since my last post, but anyone who has children will forgive me, I'm sure. Being a new mom is quite an experience.Yet, with all the new craziness that has entered our lives, I find that I'm looking forward to getting that garden started.Despite the two months of rain and the horrible neglect on my part, this season is not without its fruit. The Great Potato

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-79741139525670210172008-07-09T06:36:00.004-04:002008-07-09T06:40:43.444-04:00

In my morning browsing of local and world news, I found this article done by Channel 6 about the Erikson Farm in Rockport. It's kinda cool that this 100 acres of farmland isn't going to become another Wal-Mart. If you're interested in donating, the Erikson Farm has a website all about this project.

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-23589637529664980652008-07-01T12:31:00.002-04:002008-07-01T12:34:06.800-04:00

I can't believe that it's July already and I only posted once in June. My apologies to everyone. Being in my last month of pregnancy certainly occupies a substantial portion of time.I've got new updates coming including news from the Great Potato Experiment and a bunch of photos. Now if only the no-longer-little blobbie will stop kicking me in the bladder long enough for me to type stuff up...

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-23771803626752929842008-06-03T17:30:00.003-04:002008-11-04T09:08:20.805-05:00

What tater through yonder soil breaks? It is a Yukon Gold, and Juliette is a spud...Or something like that.Having my potatoes actually sprout has me waxing somewhat poetical, if only to steal from Mr. Shakespeare. It would seem that at this point in the Great Potato Experiment that everything is progressing as it should. I can only hope that this means that the green bits on top mean that

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-59668571475380523602008-05-24T11:17:00.007-04:002008-05-24T11:56:36.666-04:00

Some of you may remember last summer, right after we moved into the new house, I discovered that the large patch of brown grass was due to white grub. It was traumatic at the time and although I was sorely tempted to grab a bottle of pesticide to eliminate the buggers, I ended up leaving the area bare through the winter and putting out more bird feeders.Ok, that does seem kind of like a non

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-66312516533528497142008-05-16T10:37:00.005-04:002008-05-16T11:12:48.392-04:00

With gas and food prices on the rise, it's no big surprise that vegetable gardens are taking off. My only wish - that I could properly join all of you for the veggie fun.The Press Herald ran an article yesterday about the substantial increase in seed sales, compost sales and soil tests this year. Community gardens are filling up quickly. Classes about home gardening and canning are gaining

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-25465849640515123052008-05-13T11:35:00.002-04:002008-05-13T11:42:06.167-04:00

Phase 2 of the Great Potato Experiment involved getting some plastic bags and filling them with dirt.The Research suggested using Force Flex Bags. You know, the relatively new trash bags that you can over stuff and they won't tear? Other folks who have grown potatoes in trash bags suggested that they hold up better over the course of the season than the traditional non-flex type. The plan was

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-61437514674860437782008-05-06T10:37:00.011-04:002008-05-06T10:59:45.964-04:00

The seed potatoes I ordered from Johnny's came in last Thursday. The clean white bags looked a lot like the sacks of potatoes that I get at the grocery store, right down to the little string you have to pull to get the bag open. I don't know why this method of packaging struck me as odd. I can't think of a better way to ship potatoes and it seems to work for the grocery store. I guess I felt

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-18858984418628825322008-05-05T09:01:00.000-04:002008-05-05T09:01:00.344-04:00

I miss my old soil. I know I've said this many, many times but it's true. I wish I could have taken truckloads of the stuff from the old apartment and brought it to the new house.I know that I can eventually build the clay and sand that dominates the yard into the cake-like texture that I once had. Gardens teach nothing so well as patience. I still have my pile of anniversary dirt. I have a

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-83673109222401900002008-05-04T09:51:00.000-04:002008-05-04T10:14:08.688-04:00

I keep planting cutting gardens. Every fall I place rows of bulbs in the ground with visions of the grand bouquets that will brighten my home through the spring and summer. Every spring, the blooms arrive and never manage to get them cut before they've gone by.I suspect it has something to do with the inevitable clutter that washes over the house every April. The idea of bringing one more

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-36014047515516411312008-05-03T11:06:00.001-04:002008-05-03T11:54:26.768-04:00

You have very little time left to order your rain barrel from the Portland Water District. The deadline is May 15 and we can pick them up after Friday, May 23 at the Sebago Lake Ecology Center.With prices of everything going up, you can help save a little on this summer's water bill by collecting rainwater to use on the lawn or to wash your car or to water your plants or whatever. This is a

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-46290297300319951952008-05-02T10:44:00.007-04:002008-05-02T11:02:59.583-04:00

It feels so strange to not have 20 different vegetables to start this year. I picked up the smaller size Burpee seed starting kit, figuring that if I only had 36 cells to plant in, I couldn't go back on my plan to keep this year simple.Ok. I fudged it a little.I planted five of the cells with plum tomatoes. Yup, that's a lot of tomatoes, but I had such good luck with drying them last year and

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-62663000005898154002008-04-30T11:49:00.007-04:002008-05-02T10:59:54.356-04:00

Mom still thinks I've gone 'round the bend but I just can't stand the thought that a growing season will go by and I'll have nothing to show for it. Besides, with food prices going up, it might not be a bad thing to have some extra veggies out in the yard.I have a plan. It's not nearly as elaborate as I would like, which of course is making me crazy. I have so many grand ideas and so much

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-71385427133402581192008-04-29T09:08:00.002-04:002008-04-29T09:08:44.076-04:00

The tulip bulbs I planted last fall are up and I even have a few of the short yellow ones in bloom. This is much earlier than last year's tulip blooms, although I will admit that these are the bargain-basement bulk bulbs from Sam's Club. Who knows what varieties were actually in the 100 count box.We've had rain off and on since Sunday, although the tap has been left on pretty constantly this

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32452561.post-62608451283859335772008-04-27T08:43:00.003-04:002008-04-27T08:52:07.450-04:00

I've been watching large swaths of daffodils bloom across the sunnier portions of the neighborhood and mine have finally joined them. I'm actually quite surprised at the number of plants that have begun their growing cycle. It seems so early because of all the snow. Just a few weeks ago, we couldn't even get to the back yard and now, tulips, garlic, daffodils, lilies and a host of the other

Chrisnoreply@blogger.com1