All Grass Farm

 

All Grass Farm in Dundee, IL on Route 31 - A MUST VISIT! Through Angelic Organics Craft day - Shout out and thanks to Sarah for assisting this group on a Sunday!

The place was fabulous. Exactly how a farm should be run. Bobby took some amazing photos. Perfect day!

Master Urban Farmer

The Instructor, Zach and Me

The Best Folks Ever!

The class ended in July and I received these photos today from Sarah - she's way far to the left in the back row wearing a green shirt. We took a class together a few years ago and she recommended this one for me. How these people enlighten me! Each one had a mission, plan or idea that makes the world better. Some farmed on empty plots in Chicago, others had land from family they needed to learn how to manage. Many just grow food for others but they wanted to learn how to do it AND earn for themselves.

I just want to farm my garden to a larger money making plot and with all these people, I am now inspired to really achieve something next season. I've been in contact with the Michael Fields Institute to assist me in grant writing. I've contacted the neighboring School to see if I can talk to them about teaching the children about growing in back yards. It's Begun!

I needed a little guidance and that's what this class was for.

Community Home Garden

Some pictures Bobby took of the garden. I have let the weeds get the better of me again this year. Never Fear! Next Year will soon be here!

I'm taking the garden to the next level this fall. It's needs a new fence and I want to put in some sort of raised beds with possibly a water storage underneath. I'm researching and it's time to make it look beautiful and functional. The goal is to teach and share with the kids from the school next door. The Residents and the kids. hmmm...

Stay tuned.

Ball Seed

Seed Coating

Seed Coating in a Tumbler

William Kautz of Kautz Farm

Desert Rose

A couple of weeks ago, Bill Kautz invited me to Ball Seed's event. They had tours of their gardens and behind the scenes. They coat seeds to make them last longer and protect them as well.

The Zinnia's were really pretty.

The last picture is from my balcony and of one of the baby Desert Roses. The mother plant blooms pink but the baby is white. Really pretty.

Moth

Luffa Vine on the Balcony

Moth on the Sidewalk

More Nasties

Baby Desert Roses

Toes by the Pool

Barn at the Children's Farm

Mini Apple Trees

Perfect Corn Plants

Cucs on a fence

Melons already Bagged

Pig

Pretty Yellow Flowers

July is in full swing. My luffa plants are now on my balcony. Each year at the garden plot, they suffer from either theft, lack of water or frost too soon. So - I have them now growing on the balcony. One Luffa is all I'm asking for.

The Moth was spotted on a walk. It was so pretty but unfortunately barely alive. Not sure what type. Some sort of Lunar but I'm not sure if Lunar Moths even live in the Chicago Suburbs. Research for another day.

Baby Desert Roses - these are like little Solders. Too Cute

I was lounging by the pool but I can't sit still for very long. So I took a pic of the toes. Just being silly.

Now - the rest of the pictures are of The Children's Farm in Palos Park, IL. The Master Urban Farming Class I'm taking has one more class next Wednesday. It is such a surprising place. All around Palos Park are factories, power lines, highways and a million people. You turn into the drive and it seems to all disappear.

We were being shown irrigation methods in the garden and I snapped a few pictures. The corn was absolutely perfect. I have never been able to grow corn from seed successfully so this was just amazing to me.

The mini apple tree was so cute and well pruned. Every yard should have a mini like this.

If you have the chance - it's a must visit place.

Onward!

Farm Vista

JoDavies County

This is a farm that's for sale in Jo Davies County, Illinois. What a view! I imagine living here. Jo Davies County in my opinion has some of the prettiest land. It's not totally flat and it appears to be rolling along on the earth. It's on the list.

Work has kept me away from the Blog for a couple of weeks but I have new and fresh photos from the garden that I will be adding soon.

Still Nicotine free - November will be one year. I think if I make that - I can do anything :)

Dragonfly

Yesterday morning, I was on the Balcony having my morning coffee and noticed this Dragonfly resting on the planter. He was so still and sat this way for at least an hour.

This insect was at least 4" long and his head was quite large. I hadn't seen one this large in many years. He was magnificent to watch while enjoying my Sunday coffee.

I just looked up the meaning of a dragonfly showing up in your life. It's said that if they show up, you should pay attention to your deeper thoughts and desires.

Some of the signs signify:
"Happiness, Speed and Purity"
"Self Realization"
"Joy and New Light"
"Prosperity, Harmony and Good Luck"
"Emergence of True Colors"
"Living in the Moment"

Not sure what spirts mean but I did feel Happy all day.

Happy July!