Lettuce

The view is good.

The earth is well watered . . . even if it is via a hose. 

 

I am happy.

I ate homegrown lettuce . . . our very own lettuce on a date with the Engineer. 

 

Satisfaction.

I Need A Place To Walk and Grow

I need a place to walk and grow . . . my vegetables.

Can you help me?

I lack the skills to create my vision . . . my sanctuary . . . my family’s nourishment . . .

Things are growing in my greenhouse . . .

But I don’t know where to put them.  And I loathe the idea of a row garden.  I’ve been square foot gardening for several years now. 

The big picture is this: a respite – a haven for vegetables and beneficial insects – a garden for flowers . . . a quiet place that feels like the Lord’s sanctuary . . . not identical to the first garden . . . but close to such a place would be ideal.

{insert sheepish grin}

So how do I create gardening space?  Paths?  With what material?

My model . . . the gardens I love . . . are Slow Foods gardens . . . filled with circles of romaine, arches of carrots,  trellised gourds, tomatoes, and pumpkins all surrounded by sweet smelling herbs and enticing butterfly attracting flowers . . .

I don’t know how to create this space . . . the design . . . the layout . . . without having 16 squares repeated over and over again. 

I have my chance of a new design, using the principles of square foot gardening . . . minus the cost.

But I don’t know how to make it reality.  The box of dirt is ready.  The plants and seeds are ready.  But I am not.

Can you help me? 

My Greenhouse

The focus is on regrouping.  Learning from past mistakes and instant successes. 

I envision another square foot garden . . . but with a to-be-determined un-square-like twist.

I left my 4 square and 1 triangle garden behind . . . and acquired a field of weeds.  A space to do anything with . . . make any dream come true so long as my thumb remains green and my husband is willing to work (shhhh!).

The first major change of the gardening season relates to soil preparation.

It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine.  (Ezekiel 17:8)

As usual I am using Mel’s Mix,

• 1/3 vermiculite
• 1/3 compost
• 1/3 peat moss.

However, thanks to some nifty tips from My Square Foot Garden, I scooped out a bucket of Mel’s Mix and added just enough water to make my “soil” moist and clumpy. 

Then, my children plopped it ever so gently into the soil’s new black beds.

Using a sharpened pencil I poked holes for little hands to distribute their personally selected seeds into. 

On a side note, I am pleased to say that they each chose flower packets so that they could bless me with petals this summer.

In fact, today I received beautiful, carefully plucked spring “what’s it called?” flowers during recess.

Back to the topic at hand, when my garden team was  finished, I made sure that each tiny little container had a mound of dirt on top, like so.

Why?

Well, since the soil as already wet, I really didn’t need to water the soil.  So, the mounds remain.  The idea is that by being mounded it creates a way for the water to run off instead of sitting on top of the dirt and harboring a safe refuge for mold to grow.  (Not that this has ever happened to me.)

Besides, it works best to water from below.  The soil and roots can work like a straw.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers.  (Psalm 1:3)

I’d say that my new method is working. 

In fact, it’s working so well that I kind of have forgotten about my tender shoots. 

My greenhouse has preformed significantly better than previous years.  Now, location could have something to do with that . . .

But I have failed to grow mold this year.

And coming from a woman who enjoys growing bacteria . . . this is saying a lot! 

For the next stage of my growing, per the suggestion of The Square Foot Gardener, I need to submit my plants to a fan . . . in order to make their trunks strong.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  (James 1:12)

All I have yet to do is come up with a design for my garden . . .

Many things are already sprouting . . .

I am most excited about some new additions to our hopeful harvest:  spinning gourds, miniature pumpkins,  birdhouse gourds, Silver Queen okra, Stowell’s Evergreen corn, Rossa Di Trento lettuce, Purple Top White Globe turnips, Crystal Apple cucumbers, and Golden Midget watermelons. 

But what remains is a well-thought out plan . . . a meandering, contemplative green place where real food thrives, children and hearts are nourished, hands work alongside the Lord, and the Hubby sees some profit from his travail.

Psalm 128

¹ Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
   who walk in obedience to him.
² You will eat the fruit of your labor;
   blessings and prosperity will be yours.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
   within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
   around your table.
⁴ Yes, this will be the blessing
   for the man who fears the LORD.

⁵ May the LORD bless you from Zion;
   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
   all the days of your life.
⁶ May you live to see your children’s children—
   peace be on Israel.

Many thanks to the Homeschool Village for holding me accountable to document our family table.  Be sure to enter my giveaway for a free flower printable download to complete with your Toddler! 

Healthy Zucchini Whole Wheat Muffins

All of my hard work and meticulous care of dirt, seeds and water back in February is beginning to pay off.
You are looking at one of my first dinner table creations (beside salad) from my garden: a zucchini muffin.

I bet you want the recipe.

Sure.

Twist my arm like I twisted the zucchini off of Mr. Smackdown's plant.

Whole Wheat Zucchini Muffins

2 cups whole wheat flour (freshly ground, if possible)
1 tbls baking powder (I know, that seems like a lot!)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup raw milk
1/3 cup palm oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, or almond oil
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1 cup grated zucchini
2/3 cup raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Grease 12 muffin tins. Combine dry ingredients. (Let your kids help!) In a separate bowl or a mixer, beat eggs, milk, honey, and oil. Fold in the dry ingredients, zucchini, and raisins. Stir until batter is just lumpy. Spoon batter into muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes, or until the muffins are firm. I, however, like my muffins to be doughy on top! Let the muffins cool. Serve with butter or coconut oil and a dab of honey.


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