A Seed Carrot !

The joke in our garden is

I plant. . .God laughs.

Last year we had so many things come up from seed,

it was difficult to tell what we had actually planted.

If a spud pops through somewhere, so be it.

I leave it to grow

We do rotate what is planted in each plot each year; however,

last year we had a bumper crop of parsley - in the potatoes,

some fabulous spinach - in the onions,

of course borage - everywhere!

cherry tomatoes in the carrots and beets and so on.

It is actually almost comical that I put markers in the ground.

Yes, I still need to weed around it:)

This year, as I was wondering around out in the plots

looking and visually planning, I noticed something.

It was there amongst the weeds.

I was absolutely delighted.

A seed carrot!

In case you didn't realize, let me explain a little.

If you put an heirloom (not hybrid) seed in the ground to grow a carrot,

a carrot grows during that growing season.

Come late fall, the tops die back.

It does not "go to seed" (like our spinach, borage, and tomatoes.)

Depending upon the climate where you live,

it will either rot or keep until the next year.

This carrot actually survived our winter and is growing back.

This year at the end of the growing season,

it should bare seeds.

I put the tomato cage around it and

told Mr. LB (probably a little too often) to watch out for the carrot.

I have wanted to try to over-winter a few carrots for seeds

every year we've planted them.

Buuuttt, they are so delicious and never seem to be in a good spot.

This one is definitely not in a great spot,

but since the good Lord let it grow, I ain't a'stoppin' it!

I will have to let you know come fall, if it bares seed.

~*~*Ta~Da*~*~

We worked and worked and slaved away.

Last week, you saw the beginning of our little project out front.

Here is what has become of it.

And the real surprise is...

After two years,

we got the swing hung up.

I did a little trading: got rid of a desk and acquired the swing.

Brought it home, cleaned it up and sealed it.

Then there it sat.

About 6-8 months ago,

Mr. LB found the length of chain for 60% off so got it.

And there it sat:)

Finally, we put it all together.

It really is level.  The ground is not.

I know I should have a pillow and quilt draped over it for a pretty picture,

but that's not very realistic.

For two evenings now, we've sat out here and watched the water

shoot from the sprinkler after we we've finished-up 'out and around.'

Once summer comes, I imagine there might be a tall glass

of iced tea in our hands but still no pillows.

After the initial clean up,

Mr. LB took the rototiller to it and pulled out at least a cart full

of roots and these rocks.

These were just a few of the big ones.

I put those little ones in a ring around the base of the tree

because I planted a few beans in there to see what would happen.

I also planted corn, broccoli, and celery.

It's a little early, so I am just hoping we don't get a late frost.

I have other things started inside,

but of course, it's too early to put them out.

That is the road that passes in front of the house,

so we want some barrier,

but I will do more cleaning up and plant things with a purpose.

Did you notice?  We also got all the barbed wire and chicken wire out.

As you are looking at the swing, to the right

there are lilacs.

After they've bloomed, we will prune those way back and

clean all the mess out from the bottom portion

and gain even more ground.

I didn't have the heart to do that before they bloomed.

Depending upon where it is,

we have reseeded some the area with grass seed.

We do want some lawn, but

where there is good sun, is reserved for edibles.

Our goal is to have pretty much everything in the landscape

to be edible including flowers.

Think hosta, tiger lily, nasturtium, chamomile, balsam, etc.

It is a process.

None of it happens over night.

This little accomplishment seems big to us.

With every little bit we develop, nurture, and tend to,

we hope to create a natural 'grocery store.' 

Mr. LB is probably tired of hearing me say every time

we eat home canned veggies,

"I just can't believe how much better this tastes."

Not only is home grown/canned tastier,

it's better for us.

We use no chemicals to grow 'bigger/badder.'

Compost is a wonderful thing.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

On The Right Track

There are certain things that one does

that are just right.

There is that feeling inside like

it's how it is supposed to be.

( Please ignore the messy little corner of sugars:?)

This past week,

I invested in a pressure canner.

This weekend, I canned...

one batch of green beans

and two batches of stewed tomatoes.

(It might not sound like much,

but all the laundry is done, 

washed the living room curtains, etc...boring stuff)

I have to admit

I see those pictures of peoples pantry shelves

all lined with home canned jars,

and I am a wee bit jealous.

However, we must start somewhere.

So the above is where we are~

a combination of store bought and home canned.

I have more tomatoes,

but they were cooling on the counter.

I am hoping to get corn this week.

The other thing I have been doing

is dry oven canning.

The dehydrated veggies have been

hot oven canned and last nearly forever.

It's all a process, and every little step

we take around here

is towards a point of self-sufficiency. 

We both appreciate the old ways.

Hold that thought,

we do like such things as showers & deodorant.

Not quite thaaaat old of ways.

We just feel the less dependent we are, the better. 

Wait until I show you what Mr. LB has been up to.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches