Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Updates- garden and life

I'm participating in the Growing Challenge: Seed to Seed  this year sponsored by Melinda at One Green Generation.  Yeah, I'm doing several challenges at once. But they all fit in with what I'm already doing so it really isn't much extra.  The challenge here is to start something from seed, grow it and save seeds for next year.  There is actually some work involved in this but seed saving is something I have been interested in for a while.
As you all know,  I'm in a new spot this year for my garden.  It was lots of work to get it cleared and tilled but I've got it done.  26x85 feet.  I have been impressed at how rich the soil is and how well it worked up.  My Mom and Dad were even impressed so it must be good.  But now the weed seeds are beginning to sprout. Oy!  I can tell that I'm going to have a tough year with weed control since this area has never been worked before.  
But I have been planting!  On Sunday I planted peas, onions, chard, beets, lettuce and my pathetic broccoli seedlings (they have been languishing and look really sad).  I also planted radishes, some french breakfast and some 'watermelon' radishes from seed that I saved from last year.  We'll see how they do. 
This evening I took a chance and planted out a few peppers and tomatoes.  I planted 4 of each. It's still a bit early here but generally Mother's Day is fairly safe and that's coming up quickly- and the forecast is looking good for this week.  My pepper and tomato plants that I started really need either planted out or repotted and I don't see repotting happening.  My eggplant and tomatillos are also getting huge.
I talked to several of my co-workers about taking some more time off- even if it's just leaving early when it isn't too busy.  I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything I'm trying to do.  Making the new house livable, packing up this place, working to get this place ready to put on the market (very little of this has been done- eeek!), getting the garden in and all the usual home/family management stuff: kids events, laundry, cleaning, cooking, dishes, etc.   Whoosh!  It tires me out just thinking about it and I'm trying to do it.  But on the plus side- I've been sleeping well.  That's from me who hasn't slept well in years- I'm so exhausted by the time I hit the bed that I'm out like a light.
Well, gotta go get kids to bed and maybe do a load of laundry before I go to bed.

7 comments:

  1. What are "french breakfast" radishes? Have never heard of them.
    Your garden is coming along it appears. I know you must feel overwhelmed with all you have to do. At least your kids are old enough to help with stuff - like their own laundry. Mine did all their laundry starting in the 8th grade. I was determined not to have a son who didn't know how to do the laundry or iron or cook...and he does all those things now that he is married. He is a great help to his wife. I hope you'll be able to leave work a little early some days - am sure that would be such a great help!...debbie

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  2. French Breakfast radishes are a type that are elongated. Not too long or pointy, just cylindrical, red on top fading to white on the bottom. They tend to be fairly mild so even the kids will eat them. The watermelon radishes are white on the outside with a pink center- really fun when they're sliced.
    My daughter can do her own laundry but the boys are still a bit young. They can do limited cooking though, with supervision using the stove.
    Judy

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  3. Hi Judy,
    Sounds like you're pretty much falling into a good routine...
    Glad (and jealous) to hear you have good rich soil. I'm working on mine, it's already much improved just in this first year.

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  4. Glad to hear how well things are going - and that you've been planting! Weeds and everything else are growing like crazy here too, with all the rain lately. I've been hedging on getting some seedlings out, but maybe I'll follow your lead and try out a few? The eggplant are taking over inside.
    I hope it works out with your co-workers and leaving a bit early sometimes, just an hour or 2 can make a huge difference.

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  5. Hi Judy -

    You are an inspiration - look at all you are doing! I'm impressed.

    I loved the comment about sleeping well now. We often long for the past when we were able to sleep well. When we are able to work on our farm (on the weekends) our sleep usually is much improved too! Physical labor does the mind and body good.

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  6. ou sound busy! But my isn't it FUN!

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  7. I am glad you are taking care of yourself and working less hours. I honestly cannot fathom how you do all that you do. It leaves me feeling exhausted just reading about it! :)

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Glad you stopped in. I would love to hear from you.