Garden is Growing

Growing. Peas with Hollyhocks, Red Onions, Spinach and Zucchini just sprouting out of the ground. Spent a few hours this morning weeding and watering. The spinach was harvested on Thursday for a delicious baby leaf salad.  I ate them raw and unwashed right out of the garden and you can taste the freshness.  Nothing compares. The store bought is stale in comparison.

Ocean Reef Key Largo

I am working a conference in Key Largo at a resort called Ocean Reef.  It's north of the highway that leads you to Key West and very private.  The conference ends on Friday night and I am staying on until Sunday - then flying to Boston for another one but I have two whole days to play in the sun.  Hope the rain holds out until I leave as it is in the forcast.  Right now it's beautiful out.

This island has a cat sancuary and yesterday I had the pleasure of walking into a room with over 100 of the most friendly cats you ever want to meet.  They were all attention hogs and preforming tricks to get a pet. Oh My - they make the stresses of the day just wash a way.  I didn't want to leave them. AND I'm sure they were wondering if they could of come with us.  It was almost like an orphanage where the Children behave in the best manner to be chosen.  If I didn't live so far away, I would of taken three of them home. Bonnie, Harry and Nicole. Cute cats.

Well... Off to work again - my lunch break is over.  I'll post some pics when I can.

Indoor Seedlings

 Bachelor Buttons above - just spouting out.

Beautiful Pink Petunias - their color is so vibrant.  This was a seed from last years White petunias - I'm assuming it was a hybrid plant and some how the pink hues dominated and came thru.

Below is a Big Boy Tomato plant. Ready to go into the garden. I will plant it next weekend.

Worked on the garden for hours yesterday. Planted just about everything except the tomatoes and peppers.  Still need to put in some basil and pole beans.

Once it's ready - pictures to follow.

Garden Fever

It looks like teeth, doesn't it? It's a mini Zinnia. When in full bloom, it's smaller than a dime. White - they look like mini daisies. It's a trailing plant and I use them on the balcony. I've collected the seeds each year as I've never been able to find them again at this size.

Well... fresh dirt has been delivered and Al the Rotor Tiller guy came out the same day and tilled it up beautifully - right before the rains.  Now I'm waiting for a dry spell to plant the cold things.  I bought some onion starts - couldn't get my own starts from my seeds.  I think they were too old or I stored them incorrectly. So hopefully this weekend I can get the onions, peas, various lettuce and spinach in the ground. I'm leaving for two weeks on a work double conference trip.  I don't like being gone so long but Key Largo is the first and then on to Boston - coming home May 4th. I love to travel but not during planting season. Can't be helped. Need to earn my Garden money. HA

Zinnia Progression

Zinnia's from seed - not sure how many days to bloom but I took a snap shot every other so probably 7 days. They are so vibrant.

Garden fever - waiting for dirt delivery.

Spring 2012

Spring! Oh yes. It has been one beautiful spring. Warm weather - rain when we need it. Just fabulous.

I've expanded the garden again. I'd like to do a field of Sunflowers. The short kind - not the giant tall ones. I have packets of seeds for multi-colored sunflowers of every size so I thought I would do a couple of rows.

My garlic is popping through. I planted 21 cloves last fall and some made it. Check back for progress. Thanks

UIC Conference

INCREDIBLE!

Yesterday I went downtown Chicago to UIC for an all day of Farm Conferences, expo and workshops. I am so elated and lifted that I can not think of anything else.

I learned how to butcher half a hog, can and pickle (which I already knew but wanted to see in case any new techniques were used - not really), grow year round in the Midwest (again, knew but inquired some great tips) and cheese making. Now, cheese making looks like something for the winter months. It's time consuming and tedious but tasting it made me think - it's a possibility. - oh so wonderful.

I have such garden fever. The weather in Chicago has been incredibly warm for a full week. 80's in March. I keep telling myself to keep the plants in - it's not time yet but I bet some folks are planting. If you are - bring them in each night. One of the nights could be a cold snap and then, snap - you have to start over.

WOW - I can't stop the feeling now. Farms - oh how I love em!