Updates

Normally I like to update here each week but this past week has been extremely busy.  The theme parks are open so we've been enjoying that as well as preparing for our upcoming vacation.
Plus, add the rainy weather and well.  I just haven't had a chance to take photos, give any updates, etc.
So without further delay, here's a photo log of how things are going.  Unfortunately I forgot to take a shot of my little friends, the worms, so they'll be following in my next blog.

We thought this Azalea was almost dead but thanks to a little TLC it's coming back!

Sweet Banana Pepper Plant

There are actually TWO tomato plants in this pot however one is smaller so you can't really see it well.  Nasturtiums started by direct sowing are circling the Tomato.  Later these will climb down the pot and provide us with some colorful and tasty flowers for our salads!

The grass is FINALLY growing in in spots!  Not as much mud now to wade through!  

Okra, direct sowed.  All of the ones sowed inside died but these seem to be growing strong and healthy!

Potatoes.  We have filled this 3 times now since first planting.  

Another two tomatoes.  One smaller so you can barely see it.  More nasturtiums.  We're trying a different type of Nasturtiums this year.

Aren't these pretty!  I cannot wait to see how they turn out!  We have two other planted.  One is the Alaska Variegated Nasturtiums and then also the Empress of India.  Every single one of these flowers are edible and very tasty.  Along with that, these flowers are high in Vitamin C!  

When we lived in Alaska we used to grow these but never actually had enough for salads simply because we ate them all off before we could actually harvest it for a salad! My son who was 2 to 3 years old at the time, loved running outside to pick flowers to eat! 

Our battle with slugs continues.  Thankfully we have slugs who like to Party with some Indian Pale Ale.  They swim on in the beer and then drown when (I guess) they become to inebriated to climb back out.  

I can't believe we're seeing flowers already on our lettuce, arugula and broccoli rabe!  It's too soon!

This, of course, is not a gardening photo.  This was our dinner tonight.  The interesting thing?  The spinach, strawberries and onions are from Brad's Produce.  The lettuce and bean sprouts we grew.  

The bread was from a local bakery.  The only thing not produced locally (or at least as far as I know) was the walnuts and feta cheese on our salads.  

The reason I add this is to simply show, this time of year.  Mid Spring, there are plenty of things you can get locally.  You don't have to grow your own.  We just like to grow OUR own if we can and we have the space.  After all it's cheaper in the long run and we get the extra health benefit of time spent outdoors, in nature tending our plants and sharing stories from our day.  

Many will say they don't have space and that could be true for the bigger plants, however those bean sprouts on our salad were grown on our kitchen counter in something just like this.

As you can see, at Amazon this thing can cost you anywhere between $10 to $14.  Add some seed and your looking at maybe a $20 investment.  Each bag of seeds last a REALLY long time.  The seed sprouter is extremely simple to use.  Just add whichever type of seeds you prefer.  Add water to the top level and allow the water to drip down to the bottom.  If you see mold gathering around any of your seeds your watering too often.  Toss those out, wash with hot water and start again.  It's best to start with a small amount of seeds while you're getting the hang of it.  

I have a house that's very shadowy and yet I can grow mine on my kitchen counter right next to my sink.  How easy is that?