Why Grow it and Is it Worth It

Mache and Tatsoi from Coldframe

Yes that's snow and perhaps more to come. Bending over the cold frame, I admit, I asked myself why am I doing this...how important is this to me to be out here cutting greens for supper, was it really worth it? We had the good fortune to be able to build our own raised bed cold frames but in actual dollar value, how much in the long run would they eventually produce..would it cover the cost..again...was it really worth it?

Then, to my delight, when checking my blogroll today, there were two great write ups from Marguerite at Canoe Corner answering my very own mutterings, and A Woman of the Soil, awakening in me the value of the worth. I suggest if you are on the fence about growing food to eat, you visit both of these women's blogs, follow the links and watch the videos on Marguerite's especially. "Argentina's bad seeds" video was shocking to me.

The answer to why grow it and is it worth it, is individual to each of us. What might have started out as a 'little hobby', could have morphed into a business venture and publishing career for instance. For others, it might simply be a matter of necessity and feeling proud of providing for oneself and family. My garden story was a bit of a long way around. We were not meant to farm; we had a sea career. But somehow, by good grace, we were hired as caretakers on a farm on Saltspring Island back in the early eighties when we returned to Canada. Oh sure, we had grown some cucumbers in a small square behind a house we lived in on Vancouver Island when ashore, and we had a forest plot about as big as a car on one of the Gulf Islands when we took care of Capt's mom and dads place, but you couldn't really say we had a proper garden, or that we knew anything about growing food. But to this day, what kept us trying was that little miracle..YOU KNOW...the one where a seed germinates and you think..OH MY...it's green, it's growing..it's mine! It is like giving birth and in a way, you are the mother and father.

The years pass and another miracle..you have a child; you take him down to the fields while you pick corn for the market.

But sadly the years pass too quickly, you leave the island, you start a garden in Nova Scotia. Whole different ball game. This place has really cold snowy long winters, soooo not British Columbia. In summer we grew tomatoes, some greens, potatoes and beets. I still wasn't passionate, but did enjoy growing a garden very much.

The corn baby grew up, graduated from high school and we headed here to the South Shore of Nova Scotia. That's when things changed. New Beginnings perhaps...empty nesters...yes definitely. It was one of the warmest springs on record, and so before we even had our furniture moved, before we painted the interior of the new house....we put the garden in.

Why grow it? Simply put, it makes us feel good. Not just to plant, help germinate, grow, care for, cut, serve and eat it...there is that sense of accomplishment, that feeling of triumph over adversity in some instances. Better yet, I know where my food came from...the garden in our own back yard.

There might be a foot of snow but I take heart. Inside plants are telling us it's spring. Bet your potatoes are sprouting in the cupboard as I type; bet your garlic bulbs are showing their greens. They want to grow. Look, watch, listen. Like every speck on this earth, grow is what we do...grow up, grow forward, grow better, grow stronger. It's all worth it.

The Last of 2012's Garlic

Signs of Spring

The garden speaks volumes. Witch Hazel with it's red orangey crinkled ribbons glows bright, on these sunny, late winter days.

Orange Julius aka OJ, has made it through the winter freeze, as has his buddy or buddling! He arrived along with his sweetie, HOTLIPS, from A friend's pond that was being dismantled . Sadly, Hotlips didn't survive the move. OJ has become a king in the pond world here..measuring about four inches or more. Growing from a tiny goldfish, he rules a new kingdom. Ice may cover his pondland, but below..he is the Prime Minister.

The variegated Yucca doesn't look too bad for a plant stuck in the back shed over the winter with all the other wintered garden stuff and mess! Come on girl...perk up!! I see you have babies. Yes Ms. Vic..your name is on one of them!

Snow is melting..more seeds are planted in the cold frames. What a difference a month has made. Look back..incredible the snow melt.

Here is my list, scattered or seeded in rows today:

Lollo Rossa lettuce
Radish French Blush
Semi savoy spinach Samich
Spinach Reddy
Extra Dwaft Pak Choy
Chard Bright Lights
Arugula

The spinach mentioned in my last blog post, has germinated. Also, Purple Mizuna seeded last November 24th and forgotten about.. has germinated. "What are those little purple sprouts"? Well thankfully there was a marker stuck in the soil. How did we live without a raised bed all those years before, I ask you!!

A Positive Attitude

We've had some wonderful sunny days here in Nova Scotia.... there's nothing like sunshine, to inspire a gardener. Most afternoons, you'll find me in the summerhouse enveloped in it's fragrance of damp earth and rosemary. Perched around are the first auriculas, and I see some forced tulips are pushing through their pots as well. The red cabbage Kalibos and Brussels sprouts Red Ball have germinated, but the celery, Giant Red, is taking it's time. Seed packets are organized and lists are being made..when to plant what, followed by this or that. Meanwhile, the ladybugs have hatched, and are climbing all over the glass roof panes, and searching through the speedy veg..... but they won't find any aphids there I sincerely hope.

Two monster beetles have climbed out of their winter nests making it hard to concentrate, as I must always be aware of where they are, hoping they won't fall on my head or worse, fall down the back of my sweater. But, I can't put them outside; there is still lots of snow and the temps are still below freezing at night. Inside however, there is in my heart, anticipation knowing soon, spring will be here.

Outside, the cold frames have done their job, working like a refrigerator  keeping the plants started in the fall, alive through the winter. Now that days are lengthening, I see some perkiness. Three hardy greens our family enjoys are tatsoi, spinach and mache. These are just waiting their turn to leap.

Lifting the frame yesterday, feeling the steaming heat and fragrance of the soil, prompted me to push aside some of the debris and sprinkle on some spinach seeds. Wonder if it will germinate? I say yes, and it doesn't hurt to try. Here's a photo of the ratty bed, but watch this space; it won't look so desperate for too long.

Off to the right, you can just see baby arugula and mizuna ...tiny little leaves from seeds germinating last fall, quite late. That's as much as they grew, and here it is now, we've just about got through the winter, temps as low as minus 24 degrees Celsius, and this outside refrigerator did it's job. Oh, under the straw there's baby carrots. This raised bed/cold frame is about eight foot long and four foot wide and if I were more organized, it could be producing better, but I know in a month or so, it's going to look much different than it does now.

Well, time to go back inside and perhaps start more seeds, but at the very least, sit back and let the sun shine on my face....away from the beetles of course.

Getting Through Winter

Here in Nova Scotia we've had quite a bit of snow the last two days. In fact the Captain is getting pretty fed up and says this better be the last of it "I've had enough!" Poor thing. That's what happens when you offer to plow the neighbour's drive, then the senior couple in town ask if he wouldn't mind doing theirs too and besides that, he has the business to keep clear for parking. While he's complaining...cold feet, stiff limbs yada yada...I try to keep positive. There have been a few arty adventures but I have been craving for some away time, and some garden time. So off I went to Suz and n's, drinking in the view above from their home on the LaHave River. Bliss.

Can you see the salt marsh to the right? Well under that cover of ice, is a rich and abundantly nourishing area where the fresh water from land above, flows down to meet the river bringing with it all kinds of tasty food. I suspected we might see a lot of bird activity but Oh My Gosh. On that day, the list included, Canada Geese, Bald Eagle, American Kestral, Buffleheads, Loons and Merganzers. A week or so ago, Suz saw a vulture and yes, she showed me the photo and it was definitely a Turkey Vulture. So rare here in Nova Scotia, which makes me wonder how did this bird manage with all this snow? The marsh is a treasure, as all marshlands are, and how lucky they are to have it in front of their home. Better than watching television!

So we sat inside, looking out through the door:

...sitting in front of the fire, reading old garden magazines,

.....and I didn't arrive empty handed ;-)

Told ya I was doing some arty stuff...tried felting and came away with a few pea pods and an autumn scene. Very satisfying craft and hope to do more. No winter blah's happening..No Sireeeee!! And then, Mr. Rabbit/Hare showed up in the garden that very same day and well, isn't it his garden too? I love his winter coat but by Easter, he will be chocolate all over.

The garden sleeps waiting for spring, and I wait also. But, I will enjoy these winter days. Yes, yes (I am convincing myself) yes, I will!

Seeds and Sprouts

It's that time again...have you ordered your seeds this year? Well, neither have I. But today is the day I make the decisions, take advantage of a coupon or two, and get the order in. Cruising through the files, I realize all the arugula seed is used up, carrot and chard also. But, I did discover four packets of peas..bonus! We are rather fond of peas and fresh pea shoots as well and this is the time of year when we germinate them.

Last year, the growth was rather sluggish which I attributed to it being rather cold on the windowsill so this year, I potted two lots up and gave them some bottom heat. Well, what a difference! Also, I hung a grow light up early this year, so they are doing quite well now so hopefully soon, we can harvest the greens. If you would like to read a past post about this, click here.

It's also a good time to start some sprouts indoors and although I have some experience with this, there's always new information out there. Locally, I notice a Grow your own sprout event happening, and as it's open to everyone, I would like to pass on the invite. You must register though.

Put Some LIFE in Your Winter Diet: SPROUT

Join Georgia Barnwell, DHN, Nutrition Consultant and Living Food educator Monday, January 28, 2pm at AEnon Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Chester Basin. Learn how you can grow nutritious and tasty fresh sprouts. Sprouts are nature's superfood - they bring the highest nutrition density of any food, and cost pennies a day. They are full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and protein and can energize your winter diet. Learn how to grow sprouts in jars and soil, and taste the goodness of a variety of sprouts e.g. alfalfa, pea, buckwheat, radish and sunflower. To learn more about go to www.cuisineforlife.ca . Sponsored by Basin Gardeners Association. To register, call 273-2000. 

I didn't fully realize till recently, how nutrient packed micro greens and sprouts were but over at Seed to Green, where they offer a great selection of seed, (a Canadian company BTW) they explain beautifully why this is nature's superfood. There are sprouts I haven't tried...didn't think to...so as I flip through my old seed packets, organic and past due, will try sprouting those edible, in my mason jar with the screen on top. Am going to begin with the Ancient Eastern Blend I have on hand though.

It is important to rinse the seeds as directed on the packet. And, ahem..if you are going away for a few days, you must pass on this valuable information clearly and precisely to the person, (not mentioning any names) who is going to have to keep rinsing the seeds or you end up with a not so pleasant mix of rotting sprouts whose smell will meet you when you walk in the kitchen.

Update to what else is growing under the lights in the summerhouse..."Speedy Veg". Have you seen those in the shops..ready to eat in three weeks. Thought I would try a few packets.

A simple growlight will get your greens growing when there is snow outside.

The investment of one florescent light fixture, (doesn't have to be swanky, just a Home Hardware thing) with a grow light bulb inserted on one side and natural spectrum on the other, will provide you with your own greens during this cold Nova Scotia season, and in a few months, will help with the seeds you start indoors for planting out.

Now, must get that seed order sent...going with more purple and reds this year as I think plants that color aren't bothered with insects as much. What do you think?