Urban gardening

Last week I rang up my friend Mark from Muddy Pumpkin Farms, and asked if by chance he was coming near my place of work and could I please order some fresh veggies.

Well, not only was he coming my way, he was able to deliver the order directly to my house.  Part of the order was "lettuce, whatever you have. I love lettuce." Well, for the settled upon price, I received* broccoli, cilantro, scallions, fresh garlic, snow peas, kale, potatoes, radishes and a pot of lettuces.  Yup, that's right...a pot of lettuces. (*I'm thinking I've forgotten an item or two, but most of the produce is already consumed, so I can't check the refrigerator for the forgotten item.)

My little urban garden looks so cute on the front step.  I can just hop outside and harvest the leaves I want. A daily watering and I'm set for lettuce for the season - thanks, Mark.

Oh, and that pot of lettuce has attracted inquisitive neighbors who come up the walk to see what kind of flowers I'm growing.  It gives me a chance to talk to them about container gardening and what we can raise right on our front step...thanks Mark! And then I put in a plug for Muddy Pumpkin Farm.

Back in the saddle as an urban gardener and educator...well sort of. And that little urban garden was moved out onto the sidewalk today to take advantage of the day's on and off rain.

Hot...hot...hot

Prediction today is for 100+ heat index. Thinking a bathtub filled with cool water is the place to be today - no AC, no pool, and I'm sure the beach will be crowded and HOT.

Oh, yes, we are back in the old place to pick up another load of stuff and tie up loose ends. Busy making plans for the new place due to attendance at the 20th anniversary Energy Fair. Mainly: solar cooking, poultry, summer kitchen, food preservation, permaculature.

Dirt

I'm just itching to stick my fingers in the dirt. I can't wait to start gardening this year. It's been a long, hard winter; but spring has finally arrived and the s-n-o-w is melting.

It seems the whole city is out chopping the little ice dams that have built up in the gutters. There's plenty of water running in the streets (and none in the basement, so far.)

We're sorting out the seed box this week, so we can figure out what we want to buy. I don't think we need to buy, but we'll buy new stuff anyway - or trade seeds. That's always fun - trading seeds. And we're way into heirloom, so lots of our seeds are heirloom.

Hurry up dirt - warm up, we wanna stick our fingers in you

Urban gardens, farmers markets and other fun stuff

Gardening season has started in earnest. I've heard from lots of folks that they planned to finish planting their gardens this past weekend - a Memorial Day tradition is this area. We had the perfect weather for gardening.

Had a lovely Memorial Day weekend: Saturday was spent at the farmers market. Sunday was breakfast at Stumpjack, conversation with two new friends, followed by a visit to the Hamilton Wood Type Museum. J & S came along to the museum, where we got a tour and watched our new Stumpjack friends printing with wood type on the hand operated printing presses. We also learned that HWTM will celebrate their 10th anniversary on Memorial Day weekend in 2009. Monday was the Memorial Day Parade followed by brunch at a dear friend's house in celebration of her birthday. Happy birthday K -- all the best to you!

The local farmers market is taking off. We had a good group of vendors and nice customer traffic. Lots of folks stopped at our vendor booth, chatted with us about gardening, and purchased items. I'm really liking the idea of collaborating with other (mostly) urban gardeners and artisans so that we can offer some really unique wares at the farmers market. Works well for all concerned.

Wondering what you might find at our booth and at our farmers market? The list expands each week, but here's a sampling:

On Saturday we had in our vendor booth: maple syrup, asparagus, rhubarb, chives, bedding plants (asparagus roots, garlic, chives, raspberries), house plants, rain barrels, and other sustainably produced, repurposed wares.

You will also find the following items in other vendor booths: bedding plants, house plants, spring produce, eggs, doggie biscuits, handcrafted artisan wares (rag rugs, monkey sock dolls, yard art, candles, dish cloths & towels, art work, jewelry) and D Green's Outdoor Cafe - where one can get something good to eat and drink, whilst sitting down and visiting or playing a game! Our farmers market rocks!

Outdoor Cafe

My friend D just let me know she's opening her Outdoor Cafe at our local farmers' market. I am so excited for her - and for us. Ready to eat food is so good at a farmers' market. What can be better than munching on some fresh bakery, chatting with friends while perusing market stalls, and buying fresh local produce and artisan goods?

I love our little market - well it's not so little. This year 50 vendors signed up, so it's a nice sized market, in a tree shaded park right down town. There's even a market stall with information about urban gardening - and supplies for urban gardening and more!

Visit your local farmers' market this weekend!

A dangerous ride to St. Vinny's

Just got back from a bike ride to St. Vinny's where I found a couple yards of incredible 1970's bright green fabric. It's getting washed right now and by tonight will be a new tote. I just love turning old cast off fabrics and notions into cute totes, laptop sleeves, ipod carriers, purses and such.

Wondering about the dangerous part - well, there's an intersection between my place and St. Vinny's that is known for inattentive, in-a-rush drivers who don't yield to bikes or pedestrians.

Well there's one dude driving a big white truck who I don't think will want to turn right on red again, and expect a biker/pedestrian with the walk light to yield to him. He got instructions on who has the right of way at that intersection - all delivered full volume while I was scrawling down his licence plate number, his description and his vehicle description - he even told me what year the vehicle was when I barked the question at him. I hope he's scared enough to never try that stupid human trick again. And me - I'll be walking the bike through that intersection. God am I glad for good brakes!

Finding that fabric sure made my day. Just putting the finishing touches on my "stuff" for a gallery tour this weekend and for our urban gardening stand at the local farmers & artisans market.

Spring on the Lake

Ahhhhhh! Spring has arrived - the temps are climbing and there's just a bit of a breeze off the lake, just enough to fly a kite. And the asparagus is up. It's so delicious that I've eaten every bit I purchased at the farmers' market on Saturday. Good thing I have a chance for some more at the Wednesday farmers' market, provided I get there early enough.

Busy, busy today upcycling fabrics into totes, purses and credit card/business card pouches. I've taken the plung with my good friend Soozee, we're selling our "stuff" at the local farmers' market. We are both aficianados of all things recycled and upcycled and urban gardening. So we're takin' our gig to the market. I love farmers' markets and all they have to offer.

Urban Garden Gathering

Urban gardening is a passion of mine. Some of my BFFs are putting on an Urban Gardening gathering & seminar next week.

Gathering day today with some of my best ever girlfriends for coffee and fun, and I'll bet some planning for future gatherings.

We're foodies, urban gardeners or artisans. I love all these gals - they are such incredible women. They don't know each other, although I know each of them. Let the talkin' begin..................

Local Earth Day activities have propelled some folks in our community into action. My good pal Soozee and I are putting on an Urban Gardening seminar/gathering at our favorite hangout - Stumpjack Coffee Company. So exciting!

Watch for a poster, I'll get one up as soon as it's finalized.

Now for some chai and an incredible treat from Jin - I'm so glad David & Kim sell her goddess food at the Stump.