Saturday, March 24, 2012

Vintage Trailers & Yard Work

Being spring here, I have tons of work to do inside and outside the house. I have planted some seeds already, and from here on out have a heavy seed planting schedule plan every week. This week its peppers. So far, the new cotton plants, artichoke, onions, and peas have all sprouted up, so exciting!

Every year I try to plant something new and different in my garden to challenge myself and grow as gardener. I've been in this house for about 3 years now, but didn't plant the first year, so for the last two years some of my funky plants were, horseradish, which I love, asparagus which is tough because it will be 2 more season before I can harvest it, and last year it was cotton. The cotton was my favorite because it is such an amazing and beautiful plant. So, what did I decide for my new funky plant this season? Well, me being me, I couldn't decide on just one, so I picked two. I decided on Purple Hull Bean, and Stevia. The Purple Hull Bean is a special one due to someone I met last year, click on the name of the plant to see my blog about that.

The other plant I wanted to try was linen, but I could not find the seeds, so instead I picked Stevia. I liked it for a few reasons, mainly though I just like beautiful plants,  seeing this all over as a natural sweetener, I kinda wanted to see how it starts its life out. As soon as those start sprouting I will share pictures and keep you updated on their progress. Also, I did plant more cotton this year, its such a cool plant, also I will try again for Marshmallow, I couldn't get that one to grow last year so I am going to try again!
A few weeks ago I went to a gardening class, they talked about an easy way to grow potatoes, so I decided to try it. Get an old trash can, cut some drainage holes in the bottom.
 Fill with 6-10"inches of dirt, officially container dirt since technically that's what your doing, so get the good stuff!
Then, add growing potatoes, cover with dirt, as they grow cover the greens with more dirt, and by the time the season is ended the can will be full, and potatoes will have grown all up the trash can. Then hopefully all you have to do is turn the can over and dig out the goodies! I grew potatoes last year, and the hardest part was digging them up, mainly because they kinda grow all over, you have to be really careful not to spear them as your digging. It was fun, but this sounded fun too so I thought I would give it a shot. I will keep you posted on how it goes!!




I started working on my vintage 1960 Forester trailer last weekend, my Dad and my brother helped me hook up the propane lines and test all the appliances to make sure they work, and every one of them did!! Its so crazy, I am not sure how long its been since they were all fired up, but the heater, stove, and propane lamps all worked! I wanted to check before I tear it all out and rebuild it, I want to keep it as original as I can, I am super excited they all work and get to stay! I have a cassette toilet to retro fit it with a bathroom, and am ready to start tearing it all down!!!


Last but not least, I love it when something I planted in the yard begins to pop up, even when I have no idea what it is, hahaha, I can't remember what I planted. I keep a little file of all the stuff I plant, but can't find the one for this spot in the garden, so kinda excited to see what they turn out to be :).

Things are blooming like crazy, flowers are coming up all over, mint is already going a bit crazy, all the trees are budding out, asparagus is coming up, and the horseradish is insane already. its so awesome, I love spring time!

I am also very happy that all of my rose bushes made it, I planted 3 new ones last year and was a little concerned, but they all pulled through and are greening up very nice!

I am really behind on the blogging, but will be getting things caught up in the next week or two, so many things going on with the garden, trailer, and house, its a nice break to sit down and blog it out, I hope you come back to see what else I am up to, its going to be a crazy summer. Oh, and just one more teaser for you.....I have something new this week, and it will be going up in my yard soon......Nostrovias are coming home! Have a great weekend!

Monday, March 19, 2012

A little winter trip


When you go out to play in the light and joy in your life, you have to watch out for winter ruts! I managed to trip up and fall right into one, luckily for me it wasn't to deep, and didn't take to long to dig my way out of. I also found some inspiration, and lessons in the rut, so it wasn't a total loss. Just how does one get out of a winter rut? The 70 degree days have been helping, but also spending an entire weekend cleaning, organizing, and a little up keep on the house is the first step.
The second is getting out and about! I am grateful to have family and friends that listen and help when needed. My friend Marsha got me out of the house for some Bulgarian line dancing, we did one workshop, then went out on a Saturday night to listen to live music and dance, it was so great! Third of course, for me, is to get my hands in the dirt!
When the snow melts I always find strange things in the yard. This ping pong ball with a skeleton face showed up last weekend, so weird. 
This time of year also brings the sunrise to the front of my house, as the sun shines through the cut beveled glass in my front door, it leaves rainbows and shiny bits all over the wall, once in a while it leaves this big reflection on the wall. I love it when it does, its so pretty, great way to start the day. 
I walked around the yard to see what all is coming up, found all the bulbs are up, bell flowers, horseradish, all the trees are budding, and I am not sure, but I think the cotton plant is trying to make a comeback as well! Garlic is trying somethings, asparagus is popping through the dirt, daisies are coming back as well as the Indian blankets!!!
I decided this year to plant my first outdoor spring garden. I planted lettuce, spinach, and green onions. so far nothing has come up, I am a little worried as I do not have the plastic I want to cover it, I have been using a blue tarp instead, but not sure that is getting it warm enough in the evenings. Wait see I guess!
I did plant some things inside in a grow tent that was lent to me by a friend, naturally the cat had to get in on the action! Things are already coming up, the new cotton plants, artichoke, onions are all up, so exciting! Each weekend I have more to plant, so I'll show a shot soon of everything that is coming up.
All of that was last weekend, which helped me to take more steps out of the winter funk! This  weekend I got so much done at home, planned out and mapped where I want my green house & shed to go, got some potatoes planted via a new method, and working in my 1960's vintage trailer....photos and details of all that coming up next week, also next week, I will reveal my funky new plant I am trying this season! !
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