I’m once again back at the library until our internet problem is resolved. It has been quite profitable to not have internet access at home. I have made much progress on plans for this year, reading books that have been sitting playing second fiddle to my laptop and spending time out though it may be cold.
Gardening for me is a consuming passion. It is all encompassing, mind consuming and enthralling, until the weeds take over and then I have been seen running for the hills. Though the area for my new garden may be covered in snow and ice, there is much to do. So. much. I kind of already feel behind. I never did find garlic to plant and so am now ordering some for the better late than never garlic planting, not the best start to my gardening this year but I am giving myself some leeway for having just moved here and all.
This week, I had the boys find my metal shelving that was somehow unloaded before everything else and has been covered by a mountain of boxes. Yes, boxes. Oh, I may be unpacking boxes, at the rate I’m going, until the baby is in college. The shelves are being set up down in the play room by the sunniest window I could find. Lots of seeds will be started as soon as I’m done with my plans, at least some rudimentary plans for now.
I am going through and making a list of all the seeds I already own, Seedaholics anonymous? Why no, I’ve never heard of it! To that list I am adding all the things I have always wanted to grow but could not being in zone 9. Oh goodness, this could be dangerous. I must keep in mind though that I have a very small budget to work with and so I can’t get too naughty but I have it on good word that a fellow seed-aholic (of the most pretty kind) will be sending me the seeds she too was day dreaming she could plant in zone 9 and so I will grow them for both of us. Yes I will!
I am not allowing myself to wallow in all that we left at our farm in Florida. I am turning my face to the ever sure sun and moving forward. This is a new challenge, a blank canvas that we can paint with all the possiblities imaginable. For now I am going by this quote.
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for”
-Epicurus Greek Philosopher (341 BC – 270 BC)
The surest sign that I am being bitten by the spring bug is my reading basket. Even the cookbooks are farm and garden related. I just finished Paradise Lot by Eric Toensmeier and I really enjoyed it. It is the story of two plant geeks (like me) who buy a duplex together after years of being farming partners. They meet wives and build an edible paradise in Massachusetts. I figured that with it being so cold there, I might find lots of perennials and edibles that I can grow here. Oh, so much to research.
I was out walking around yesterday planning out things and as soon as I think I have it all figured out, I all of a sudden change my mind on where the chickens will go, where the garden will be. How to put up the greenhouse on the back of the existing potting shed? This is really the part that un-nerves me right now because I don’t have a year to watch and plan. I need to get out there and I don’t want to make too many mistakes though in the mistakes are the adventures.
That was fun bathing in the sun right here.
The boxed in area may make a perfect hotbed depending on the sun. We just planted our leaf lettuce and spinach in our's yesterday! Did you get your's in? (If so, make sure to have a window to cover when it gets cold again next week.)
No,not yet Katie. Saturday will be my day to go out and get some things done 🙂
I am for sure a seedaholic, so I keep it in check by listing the seeds I have leftover from last year, then ordering the new ones. I for sure want to grow more potatoes this year, as well as my all time favorite tomato (as many varieties as possible), and carrots and beets for good measure … hopefully you will enjoy your new multi season garden!
Thank you Sonrie, What I need to do is organize and make a list of what I have. I, realistically, should not need to order any seeds but those seeds catalogs are so irresistable 🙂
Our first year here, I chose a sunny day and set the time every hour to see exactly where the sunny and shady spots were. Two years ago we go a whole lot more sun when two huge trees were knocked down during a storm! I look forward to seeing what you do. I hope to stay inspired this year past June! LOL
I know the feeling. I was making lists too, then my husband suggested looking for a new house. Now all the planning and dreaming is on hold, not knowing what the future holds for us. I look forward to watching your garden grow and you settling it to the new house.
Thank you Julia. Good luck on whatever your future holds home wise 🙂
you have so much snow there. Is that gardening shed in the back or the front of your house? I cannot wait to see your new garden. Your garden posts last year really inspired me to get my little garden built. I got lots of tomatoes but hope to grow many more things this year. Thank you for sharing your life. You may never know how many people you inspire.