The other day my little one quickly rushed out to the garden with a spade in his hand. He jumped into his wellies and went marching into the garden. Turns out that he wanted to plant another seed from the nectarine he had just happily devoured. He'll try and remember to water the spots where he's … [Read more...]
I Can’t Can
Our garden is overflowing right now. Which is cool, except I am anything but a pioneer. I have carved out the time to make homemade Cream of Fresh Tomato Soup and it's delicious but I have just been tossing it in my deep freeze as I make it because I, for the life of me, am afraid to try … [Read more...]
Backyard Birding
One of my daughter's favourite things to do is to watch birds in our yard. We are lucky, we have seen grosbeaks, waxwings, finches, robins, chickadees - and I think we even have a nest of wee little flycatchers in the tree right outside the kids' bedroom window that is currently full of cheeping … [Read more...]
From My Closet – June 19th, 2013
So this is gardening. I say this with a snort *snorts* because our "garden" is about the size of a postage stamp, and we're not wicked green-thumbers around these parts. A few years back, we planted some cedars and lots of boxwood in the hopes of being able to maintain a reasonable looking … [Read more...]
It’s ALIVE!
Spring is finally here, and my garden is starting to grow! I know, funny to say that spring has finally arrived in May, but here in Calgary, our growing season is ridiculously short - winter stays late, and comes early, too. It's hard to get anything growing before early June. In my hard, though, … [Read more...]
Into the garden.
We live in an apartment but community gardens are abundant in this city, and so this year we must confront the grim reality of gardening with our small boy. When you Google "toddlers gardening," you get all kinds of cutesy suggestions from people with screen names like "mummykins" - such un-doable … [Read more...]
How Does Your Garden Grow?
My thumb is black as night. (Photo credit: Natalie Dee)And, hysterically, I married a farmer. Plants, trees, irrigation, pest control, etc...he lives and breathes it. For the past three years I have planted a pathetic patch of vegetables, only to have the majority of the seeds never germinate, … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Not-So-Green Thumb
To the left of me I have this: a creative display of whimsical colour, variety of shape and form, and artfully placed borders surrounding bright, vivid greenery.To the right, is this: a zen-inspired vista of tranquility. Polished stones, calm mossy greens with bursts of energizing purple … [Read more...]
Fresh From the Garden
Today let me share with you one of my favourite seasonal trends...bringing food in fresh from my own garden. I’m not much of a gardener, but at this time of the year all sorts of natural instincts kick in and I find myself wandering through farmers’ markets admiring the tomato plants, checking out … [Read more...]