Friday, January 27, 2012

Watch Them Grow. or Keeping it Real: (for David)



I farmed one full growing season on Hedgerow Farm (now Cure Organic Farm) back in 2004. Because of this, one, might think that I have quite a bit of experience -- enough, at least, to grow a successful backyard garden. While I did learn a great deal on the farm that season, most of the 'real' decisions were made by Anne Cure, the farm manager. What to plant and when. Where to plant. How much to water and when. When to harden off the plants in the greenhouse. You get the idea. Since that season, my own backyard gardens have been meager at best. Every year I begin with high hopes of making this year, the year of the garden!  Goals of developing a planting calendar, calculating for frost, committing to starting seeds indoors, succession planting, harvesting, canning and preserving. Yet, for the past few years, I have fallen short. Last year we planted a few crops and even a neglected plot (e.g. during our hottest summer days, the garden only got water every third day) was enough 'boon' for a blog post). 

Laziness is the only logical explanation for my failed attempts, right? Well... not really. The real explanation is that sometimes I wait for someone else to take the lead. I think that I need to have Jenn committed 200% to making our garden a success. If she cares about this project more than I then surely she will give me the inspiration that I so desperately desire. The lyrics in Ingrid Michaelson's song Turn to Stone repeat in my head: And if you wait for someone else's hand, Then you will surely fall down. The reality is that I have fallen down not only in my attempts at a garden, but in other arenas in my life as well.  Someone once told me that "dreaming big is sexy, but making your dreams come true is sexier". I want to be sexier.  

This year, in an effort to be sexier, I decided I would commit to experiment with at least two indoor starts. Maybe that will help me commit to my dream of a successful growing season take full advantage of the growing season. So after a few weeks of having all of the supplies... and even trying to pass it off on the nanny saying, "If you and Avi want to do this project together, go for it." -- I finally got to taking my own lead and to planting some seeds. Avi helped and together, we planted four starts: two varieties of tomatoes, peppers, and arugula. ..............................................................Am I looking sexier yet? 


 Even though I have beautiful compost in our bin, I thought I "needed" this seedling mix. Why?

 Even Red (the hen) wanted to help... or snatch a seed or two.

 Tomatoes.

 Arugula.



What in your life is sexy, but could be sexier?

20 comments:

  1. Look at you! Definitely sexier. And don't harsh yourself on that seedling mix, it's not a great idea to start your seeds in compost. That comes later. Your gut led you in the right direction with that purchase. Seeds want a light, airy and not too nutrient rich starter soil. Call us anytime. You know my man has got this all dialed in. Happy to see you getting your seed-on!

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    1. Ditto on the seed starting mix--I've had better germination with it than with compost!

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    2. Lisa and Jamie, thanks for the reassurance in the starting mix... and for the encouragement in general. Lisa, your Steve is inspiration to get things started so early!! thanks to both of you!!

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  2. I have a feeling that, before you know it, Avi will be taking the lead, and his excitement will be all the motivation you need :) And, hello, how on top of it to be starting seeds already!!
    -Jaime

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    1. Jamie... I hadn't thought of that... something to look forward to!

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  3. I am so impressed and will be watching closly. I plan on having my first garden this year...so I hope to learn from you :) Any suggestions would be great because I have no clue.

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    1. hey thanks. my advice is to start small.. pick a dozen or so crops that you know you'll love to eat.... but not everyone works that way... so if starting big is your kind of style.. do that! Some better advice would be to talk to your local farmers. Find them at Farmer's Markets or road side stands. Ask gardening neighbors for help too if you have them! :)

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  4. Sexier! For sure.
    We just gotta keep moving forward, right?
    In my life... probably half the stuff I drool all over on Pinterest (what a crack festival that is!) is sexy, and I would be so much sexier if I cracked a whip and got everyone contributing to housework... of course I'll have to come up with a metaphor that wouldn't make my boys cringe and my daughter ask questions neither of us is ready to discuss... *grin*

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    1. Natalie, thanks for visiting! You hit the nail on the head with Pinterest being a crack festival. I made a board called my "to do list"... yikes!!! :)

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  5. How lucky you are to be starting seeds already. Still a few more weeks before we get started. And we will only do a few things, just no room in our little home to keep them and way too cold outside to leave them out there. I am so looking forward to getting my hands dirty...that's sexy, right?

    Enjoy your weekend.

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  6. It is Sunset time here, so no more computer for me today. Just wanted to stop by and say "hi" I LOVE your images and I will be back tomorrow night with a glass of wine to hang out for awhile:)) Thanks so much for coming to see my moment today and for leaving such a sweet comment. Have a great weekend!!! ~ Brooke

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    1. Brooke,
      I have to say, I admire your commitment to being offline after sundown.... My partner and I have discussed the intention of being offline and off phones for Shabbat.. and while we are slowly getting there I sometimes find myself wanting to respond to fellow bloggers, create a new post, reply to an email or two because it's the time when the baby is asleep. But when I do follow through on my intention... it feels so good. You have inspired me to be a bit more diligent around this issue! thanks!

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  7. Sexy as hell, sister! Gardens are tricky cause they are a little like kids. The stages and nurturing, and potential for calamity. But I always start with grand dreams and sometimes end up with a shitload of produce. Hooray for you!

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    1. Ivey, I hope my grand dreams end me up with some shit-ton of produce! thanks for the hooray!

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  8. yay! Sexy, for sure. I'm so ready to pull out the garden tools, but the timing isn't right here.

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    1. I'm not even sure the timing is right here, but I decided... why not?! I hope I have some ground to put these babies into when they have outgrown their little indoor plot! :)

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  9. Yeah!!!! Definitely sexy!! And i have to tell you, you cannot be too hard on yourself for falling behind (I refuse to say lazy). Babies take up a lot of our time, focus and energy, sometimes some things just have to be tabled awhile. I checked out your boon from last year and it looked wonderful to me!!!! I have to say that I have much to learn myself, and I bet you could teach me a thing or two by the time I get around to gardening anything!!
    xo

    ps. LOVE that song...

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    1. MJ,
      thanks for your words. I appreciate it very much. babies do take up a lot of our time.. but when I'm completely and wholeheartedly honest with myself, it's not always for lack of time. Not laziness either... but the drive. But I've got my hands on the wheel and just posting this has helped a ton! :) and I'm happy to share what I know with you!!

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  10. I just want to say to all of you gals... THANK YOU! For visiting, for listening, for hearing, and for encouraging!! Muaaaah!

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I really do LOVE reading your comments. Thanks for visiting.