January's Garden Notes

 

 

It may be the dead of winter, but here in the south the garden is still very much alive. Cool weather crops are spreading their leaves and bursting forth in all their vibrant glory; purple cabbage and red sails lettuce open their leaves wide next to deep green kale and stately onion tops. Our theme for January is observation- taking a closer look at the glory revealed beneath the cover of the frost cloth.
Garden Instruction:
As we teach others in the garden, or learn ourselves, this month is an excellent time to take our time and truly see what is in front of us. Notice the venation of the leaf; where the color deepens and where it fades softly. Consider the changes that have occurred during the weather fluctuations: growth, death, fruiting and frost. Take a moment and ponder the evidence of a pest or lack of it; nibble marks, tethered edges or perfectly round holes.
Monthly Maintenance:
January finds some much needed maintenance, especially when we have had some heavy rain and a seasonal freeze. It's time to grab our gloves and pull up the withered, weathered and 'melted' plants whose time has come and gone. If nature is the culprit, toss them in the compost bin (and add a few leaves/peelings while we are at it) giving the bin a good stir while we are there. Severe pest damaged plants can be fed to the chickens or tossed in the burn pile- no one wants those pests lurking in our future fertilizer. Give soil a good aeration; clawing, cultivating, or simply softening empty areas and beneath plants (careful not to damage roots). A dose of fertilizer is always helpful; side dress with compost if you have some or maybe use some spent coffee grounds.
January Harvest:
The harvest is possible despite the cold- we have all manner of greens and roots in our gardens: collards, cabbage, kale and lettuces, radish and carrot- even some herbs. Young multiplier onions are coming out of our soil; mild and tasty! Harvest lend us to some wonderful interaction with our children as they measure and weigh, considering the possible increase or decrease if conditions had been different. Don't forget that harvest lead us to the kitchen where tasty sautés, salads and soups find our hard work displayed.
Planting:
In the south we are always planting. This month brings us to plant the same things we are harvesting: lettuce, greens, cole crops, carrots, onions, and tender peas. Time to reflect on what we have grown and pursue greater success, being sure to amend our soil with healthy nutrients and rotate our plantings to different grounds.
Share your success!
Our gardens are hard work and we should be humbly proud of it. Take the time to share your experience and your success. What did you find, grow, learn, or taste this month? I had quite a surprise when I stepped into the garden this morning. I found a donkey there!

New Year- New You... Or Not?

This year began in my recliner; hot tea in hand, essential oils on, heating pad full blast. Last year hit me in the face and landed me on my rear with two pulled muscles and a migraine. My less than glamorous beginning wasn't the result of amazing parties or extravagant eating, but the unexpected emergencies that often come with adult children and older adults.

Today I recline here- resting to relieve my body's frustrations- listening to the drone and moan of the masses promoting 'a new you for the new year'. Some promise better health; some, better wealth; others, better social status. All this is rather dizzying and somewhat nauseating. Can I really turn my life around this year? Be more organized, more slender, and more fiscally sound? Probably not considering it hasn't happened so far.

Instead of facing this new year with empty resolutions and lofty ideals, I face this new year with a bracing dose of reality. I am still me- horribly flawed and desperately wicked. My health with be what it will be- for I am active and strong, yet hopelessly in love with bread and secretly a lover of carbonated beverages. My finances will be what they will be- for I an a frugal gal with a horrible weakness for chickens, fabric, plants and anything to do with my grandbaby. My social status- let's not go there since I could pretty much care less.

I guess what I am trying to say is- I have arrived at an age where none of these things matter to me. My heart lies with people; with the precious children I am blessed to work with; with my family choose to love no matter what; with my messy homestead- mucky stalls and all.

This new year will be fine. God is in control and I am walking through it one step at a time. Children will be loved; work will be done; animals and plants will join the farm and family life will be as chaotic as ever. I'm pressing on and blogging my way day by day. The question is- will you be joining me?

What is your take on the new year?

25 Kids in the Garden?

     So what do we do with 25 kids in the garden? It has been quite an adventure introducing students and teachers to the amazing world of gardening. For many, meeting me in their school garden may be their first gardening experience. This first step into the amazing world of growth, wonder, and weeding is important- so it needs to be a good experience (not mass chaos).
     The question asked every time an appointment is set- what do we do with 25 kids in the garden- is simply answered- put them to work. While the answer is simple, implementing the answer is not. A little planning, introducing, and explaining goes a long way.

25 Kids and Me

1. Clear introduction.

    Upon arrival I like to gather the masses and make some clear introductions: to myself, to the garden, to the expectations and the basic garden etiquettes. It is important to set boundaries regarding the use of tools, hoses, and fertilizers as well as defining walking paths and general safety.

2. Divide and conquer.

    I like to put together teams: water, soil, plant. Water team ensures the plants get a drink, apply fertilizer if needed, and are careful to keep their eye out for beneficial insects (which they will tell us about). Soil teams handle aerating, applying mulch, and compost turning- they are always on the look out for interesting decomposition and soil beneficials. The plant team is all about plants- those we intended and those we didn't.. harvesting and weeding, always watching for evidence of a pest!

3. Team leaders.

     It is important to involve any adults that may be on hand; parents, teachers, extra staff. They are learning right along with their classes.

4. Finally- come and share!

    The final moments of garden time are dedicated to sharing our experiences. What did you spot? A spider in the peach tree? Earthworms in the compost? Maybe chewing marks on a leaf? What did we harvest? A radish? Maybe things were not quite ready. Share something you learned or a question you thought of. Maybe you learned the name of a weed you pulled. This brings a sense of fairness to the reality- not everyone gets to do the same thing each time.

5. Next time rotate the teams to a new responsibility!

    Give the opportunity to learn each area of garden care and responsibility. Gardens are always growing and changing, offering so many opportunities for learning. Keep them engaged and looking forward to the next garden visit.

      Now, you may be asking where I fit into this plan? I am moving and rotating through each and every team- sometimes answering questions, calming squabbles, and directing attention to things they may not realizing they are seeing (like a ladybug eating aphids). The first few visits can be a bit stressful, but they get the hang of it in no time and before I know it teachers are taking on the gardens with very little outside assistance (and that is the goal- independence).

      The final question- does it work with less than 25? Sure. How do you think I gardened with my own kids?

   

Trying to Catch My Breath

    

A flurry of activities

appointments

work commitments...

family..

functions of every kind.

These days I find myself trying to catch my breath..

to focus

stay on top of things

to function without losing my mind amidst

a calendar

family

home

and the things that pierce us so deep we dare not discuss it.

 

This weekend found me

lost

unclear

unable to wrap my mind around the events that present themselves.

Sometimes we are pressed so hard we no longer see.

That's where we are...

and I am trying to catch my breath.

 

Next week will find me

pushing the clock

packing the car

planning the break

and creating new distractions to keep me from losing my mind.

 

But for now

I am trying to catch my breath.

I Grew an Orange.

 

     I grew an orange; a Satsuma, to be specific. While this may seem hardly worth the effort to talk about, for me this is a huge feat! In the four years that tree has been in my garden the only thing I got from it was frustration; blossom drop, fruit dropping, and the almighty drought were to thank. This year, however, I grew an orange!

 

     Trivial, maybe, but this orange is my 'one thing' right now. Do you have that? A 'one thing' that makes you feel everything is okay. It allows you to just take a breath and sigh. The past several weeks have been a flurry of activity, productivity and chaos- none of which anyone cares to hear about. Today I really needed 'one thing' to set my focus. God is good- He sent the right thing at the right time.

 

    So, simple as it is, I proclaim loudly with juice dripping down my chin- I grew an orange!