Six weeks ago in the garden…
Today…
Our life came to a grinding halt six weeks ago when the ground became workable after such a long winter. Homeschool work was abandoned, as was housework for the most part. We kept things tidy to a degree, but the garden and farm was calling and that was where we could be found from morning to late afternoon.
Over the course of a few days, my husband and I spent several hours, alone together, digging and building and hauling manure. I think this was some of the only dates we’ve experienced in eleven years….and sadly, I am not exaggerating! We left the kids to run amok, checking in occasionally. Good thing the garden is in the center of the property and all their activity radiated outwards from where we were busy. I admit that there was an indoor water balloon fight (!) and the dismantling of a bedroom or two to make a massive fort…but by gosh, the garden beds were built!
Six weeks ago when we peeled back the tarps over the other half of our garden space…
What it looks like after a whole lot of work…
Years ago when we fenced off the space for our vegetable garden, I envisioned a sun spoke garden bed filled with strawberries. Finally, we have it, though it is really a sunrise right now as we ran out of the lumber my husband milled in the mountains. Maybe in the fall we can finish off the sun. Two of the beds are June bearers and one bed is Ever bearing strawberries and they are almost, almost ready to ripen! Nothing will taste sweeter than that first berry, I’m certain!
Our asparagus patch is thriving. We are in Year 3 which is wonderful as the old saying goes, “Year 1, take none. Year 2, take a few. Year 3, all for me.” Lots of asparagus has been eaten and now it is winding down, making way for the dill that is volunteering around the asparagus.
garlic alley
blueberry flowers
Six weeks ago in the greenhouse…
Today in the greenhouse…
I neglected my greenhouse a little in favour of the new strawberry beds, but finally managed to finish getting it planted this past week. We have several long english cucumber plants as well as pickling cukes. Many hot peppers so I can make pickled jalapenos and dried chili flakes for my husband. We also have sweet peppers, tomatoes and basil with some strawflowers thrown in amongst the plants.
We also added a potting table in the corner which is enormously helpful for hardening off seedlings. With all the rain we’ve had, the kids and I have spent a fair amount of time puttering in the greenhouse, listening to the rain on the roof. If I had to make a choice, I would definately garden in the greenhouse over the outdoors only because it extends our season so much, living here in the mountains.
In this season before we transition into full-on feasting, we have been eating asparagus, salad greens and spinach. We also foraged many morels from our own patch and then we discovered a large amount of coveted yellow morels behind our chicken coop. We feasted and feasted on the delicacy for many meals. They are best with steamed nettles and it is no coincidence the two crops happen at the same time.
Six weeks ago in the cottage garden…
Today in the cottage garden…
I think, perhaps, this is my favourite place on our property (not including the sheep pasture). Every day there is something new blooming in the flower garden and I am having so much fun moving things about to maximize colour and variety. Such an artistry to it all! Having a cutting garden also allows for beautiful bouquets, almost daily. Sunshine is the resident florist and makes amazing arrangements. Every morning, I spend an hour and a half watering everything and it is my quiet moment that I cherish. Sometimes a little person joins me or runs past on the way to chickens or bunnies or piglets, but usually it is me and birdsong and sweet scents.
Now that nearly everything is planted and it is all about maintenance now, I can get back into finishing our homeschooling work, cleaning the house, dyeing some wool for the shop, and sewing some much-needed clothing. Well, maybe after just one more stroll through the gardens…
Hello out there, I'm happy you stopped by! My name is Jules and I am grateful to share my family's homegrown adventures here...from homeschooling to homesteading.
This space is my own reminder to savour the beauty amidst the chaos and messes of motherhood...to see the extraordinary in the everyday ordinary. Thank you for joining me.
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8 Comments
I have never seen anything more beautiful than your gardens. They grow and improve every year, though your homestead was lovely to start with. So happy than things seem to be going well for your sweet family. Sending you peace (in this busy time).
Hello Susan! Happy New Year! This is the only venue where I know I can reach you and I am sending you good wishes for 2018. xo Jules
It’s gorgeous! I hope you have a productive season!
Hello Misti…
I am just now getting to you comment after a 6 month absence. The season was a good one, and now thinking about the summer ahead. Wishing you a wonderful New Year! xo Jules
Hey Jules,
Beautiful Garden.
I have a question. My son wants to grow his own Morels. Do you have any hints or suggestions?
Hi Tammi,
I am not sure I got back to you on your question and I aplogize. I have been absent from this space for far too long. I am ready to get back into it as we have an adventurous year ahead.
As for morels, we are fortunate enough to have a wild patch (or two) on our property. We live in a great region for morels…damp, cool springs and coniferous trees. I find they really like to grow near the base of fir trees…the soil must be perfectly acidic there for them to flourish. When I pick them, we always leave a few to decay back into the earth and/or crumple one as we walk about so the spores are released.
I would love to hear how your son’s morel experience goes. I hope this helps some. They are truly my favourite mushroom!
xo Jules
I love your sun spoke strawberry bed idea – how beautiful. Looks like you are very thoughtful with your planting and planning. There is certainly artistry involved. Lovely! And your greenhouse is transformed too. Yes it is important to drop all other tasks sometimes to get things done in the garden as the season is short. My German grandmother always said the house can wait, the garden can’t and there is great wisdom in that. I can visualise your early morning watering with just bird song for company – sounds perfect! Enjoy the fruits of your labour 🙂
Greetings, Anna. Thank you for visiting here and I apologize on taking so long to get back to you. I think your grandmother is very wise…I have also heard that said about little children. The garden was lovely last summer and I have more plans to expand again…though it may have to wait a year.
Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.
xo Jules