I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day,
a fresh try, one more start,
with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.
~ J. B. Priestly
Showing posts with label Foto Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Foto Friday. Show all posts
Friday, February 22, 2013
Friday, March 23, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Foto Friday -- Simple pleasures
A still warm egg, the first collected in three weeks.
Homemade pear ginger marmalade that tastes like autumn.
Enough fresh cream to make...
... one beautiful pat of butter...
... for some freshly-baked rye bread.Have a lovely weekend filled with many simple pleasures!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Foto Friday -- Seedling update
I find this time of year to be both exciting and nerve-wracking. The seeds that I started last week are poking their way through the soil but each looks so delicate and fragile. This is my first year starting some of these seeds indoors and I'm in awe that when planted outside, they manage to survive the elements and mature into full-grown veggie goodness!
These are are a handful of leftover 2010 mixed heirloom beets that I broadcast in a medium-sized tray. The colours are already so rich and vibrant! I also have some 2011 seeds that I'll be direct seeding in the garden.
I wasn't going to grow eggplant this year but then I went to a Seedy Saturday event and caved when I found this Pingtung variety. This is the first year I'm growing it from seed (I purchased one Black Beauty last year and it only set one large fruit and one or two small ones, but that was without any supplemental heat by means of a cloche or low tunnel). I used my new heat mat (yes, I bought one; the store didn't have the coil lights and the tray was on sale!) and within a few days, three out of four cells had germinated. I'd only planned on growing about six or so plants this year, so I'm a bit short, but that means more room in the kitchen garden for something else!
I decided to try out a new sweet pepper variety this year; meet Bull Nose, one of the oldest peppers available. It's an early variety, sweet, mild and glossy red. I'd planted 2 seeds per cell, and these sprouted within the last three days.
These are my 2010 Jimmy Nardello pepper seeds. As you can see, they're quite a bit behind the Bull Nose. I also planted some Early Calwonder green pepper, but it's yet to make an appearance.
This is my first season starting onions inside (the front are 2010 Green Banner) and the first time growing leeks at all (the Scotland variety is struggling away at the back.) I'll also be starting some 2011 seeds outside in the cold frame this weekend (the kids asked me to wait to plant the first crop so they could help -- how could I say no?) so it'll be interesting to see how the indoor starts compare once I transplant them outside.
This weekend is going to be busy as I'll be starting all our tomato seeds, some more leeks, and some greens for the cold frames (I'm thinking lettuce, parsley, spinach and onions, oh my!) as well as our basil (I've got three varieties this year -- Italian large leaf, lime and cinnamon), and our marigolds and zinnias.
If the rain holds off (please, please, please wait until Monday!) and if I can get my trellises set up, I'd love to start some Sugar Snap peas, maybe a few carrots and radishes, too. I'm sure I'll find something else to start. So many vegetables, so little time!
What's growing in your early spring garden?
These are are a handful of leftover 2010 mixed heirloom beets that I broadcast in a medium-sized tray. The colours are already so rich and vibrant! I also have some 2011 seeds that I'll be direct seeding in the garden.
I wasn't going to grow eggplant this year but then I went to a Seedy Saturday event and caved when I found this Pingtung variety. This is the first year I'm growing it from seed (I purchased one Black Beauty last year and it only set one large fruit and one or two small ones, but that was without any supplemental heat by means of a cloche or low tunnel). I used my new heat mat (yes, I bought one; the store didn't have the coil lights and the tray was on sale!) and within a few days, three out of four cells had germinated. I'd only planned on growing about six or so plants this year, so I'm a bit short, but that means more room in the kitchen garden for something else!
I decided to try out a new sweet pepper variety this year; meet Bull Nose, one of the oldest peppers available. It's an early variety, sweet, mild and glossy red. I'd planted 2 seeds per cell, and these sprouted within the last three days.
These are my 2010 Jimmy Nardello pepper seeds. As you can see, they're quite a bit behind the Bull Nose. I also planted some Early Calwonder green pepper, but it's yet to make an appearance.
This is my first season starting onions inside (the front are 2010 Green Banner) and the first time growing leeks at all (the Scotland variety is struggling away at the back.) I'll also be starting some 2011 seeds outside in the cold frame this weekend (the kids asked me to wait to plant the first crop so they could help -- how could I say no?) so it'll be interesting to see how the indoor starts compare once I transplant them outside.
This weekend is going to be busy as I'll be starting all our tomato seeds, some more leeks, and some greens for the cold frames (I'm thinking lettuce, parsley, spinach and onions, oh my!) as well as our basil (I've got three varieties this year -- Italian large leaf, lime and cinnamon), and our marigolds and zinnias.If the rain holds off (please, please, please wait until Monday!) and if I can get my trellises set up, I'd love to start some Sugar Snap peas, maybe a few carrots and radishes, too. I'm sure I'll find something else to start. So many vegetables, so little time!
What's growing in your early spring garden?
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday, May 28, 2010
Foto Friday -- What's blooming
When we moved to the farm, the house garden was an overgrown mess. It was full of grasses and weeds and the perennials hadn't been separated or managed in years.
But you could tell it had been a well-loved garden once, filled with peonies and poppies, irises and lilies.
I've been told I should dig up the perennials I want to save, till over the beds completely and replant my prized specimens where I want them. I'll do that, eventually. But in the meantime, I'm cutting back the grasses, digging out the weeds and admiring the blooms in all their old-world beauty.
I love how a poppy starts like this...
... and then overnight, unfurls like a fancy flamenco skirt, all ruffles and grace...
... to open up like this...
and this...
... and this.
There's also the garden peonies...
If you enjoyed this post, you might like reading this one.
But you could tell it had been a well-loved garden once, filled with peonies and poppies, irises and lilies.
I've been told I should dig up the perennials I want to save, till over the beds completely and replant my prized specimens where I want them. I'll do that, eventually. But in the meantime, I'm cutting back the grasses, digging out the weeds and admiring the blooms in all their old-world beauty.
I love how a poppy starts like this...
... and then overnight, unfurls like a fancy flamenco skirt, all ruffles and grace...
... to open up like this...
and this...
... and this.
There's also the garden peonies...
and the irises.
I've also started adding my own favourites to the garden. This is Jack's lupine that I planted last year. I love how the blooms start at the bottom and bubble to the top.
And here's some Montana cornflower (Centaurea montana), tucked underneath a lilac...
... and beside a purple columbine.
Of course, I can't forget my absolute favourite garden bloom.
If you enjoyed this post, you might like reading this one.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Foto Friday -- What's blooming
It's easy to get bogged down by "to-do" lists. Everywhere I look, there are reminders of chores that need to be done yesterday. But as I've said before, sometimes you've just got to stop and smell the flowers.
So in no particular order, here are some of my favourites blooming in the garden right now.
Wild violets
Tiny white daffodil (variety unknown)
Pink hyacinth
Lilac buds
Money or honesty plant (Lunana annua)
Fancy pink tulip (variety unknown)
Apple blossoms
Blanket of trilliums
White trilliums, close up
Marsh marigolds
Marsh marigolds up close
Bleeding heart buds
Henry and magnolia bud
Okay, there are also LOTS of dandelions, weeds, overgrown grass etc. etc.
Two goofy farm kids
What's blooming in your garden?
So in no particular order, here are some of my favourites blooming in the garden right now.
Wild violets
Tiny white daffodil (variety unknown)
Pink hyacinth
Lilac buds
Money or honesty plant (Lunana annua)
Fancy pink tulip (variety unknown)
Apple blossoms
Blanket of trilliums
White trilliums, close up
Marsh marigolds
Marsh marigolds up close
Bleeding heart buds
Henry and magnolia bud
Okay, there are also LOTS of dandelions, weeds, overgrown grass etc. etc.
Two goofy farm kids What's blooming in your garden?
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