There is nothing tastier than fresh berries from the farmers market. All those lovely strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. But, there's also nothing worse than going to the fridge and finding them becoming fuzzy only a day or 2 later. I tried different ways to try to prolong their freshness, and finally found something that worked--Vinegar. Simple … Continue reading Keeping Fresh Berries Fresh
Category: Vegetables
After Vacation
After a wonderful beach vacation and some college tours, we're finally back home. As expected, the weather has been crazy while we were gone. The temperatures were just about average, but rainfall was almost double the normal amount. Included in this total was a single storm that dumped almost 2 inches of rain in under … Continue reading After Vacation
Before Vacation
It's always tough to go leave the garden and go on vacation. It seems like something (or everything) is ready to just burst out in color or ripen just in time to go away. Or the weather can you throw you a curve ball and get crazy hot/cold or dry/wet. Very unpredictable. I assumed this year … Continue reading Before Vacation
Painted Rocks as Plant Labels–In the Garden
Last fall, I had great fun painting rocks to use as plant labels (Painting Rock Garden Markers). They look great in the garden and add a bright splash of color! But, now that I know what I've actually planted, I need to get my paints out and make some more to complete the set. … Continue reading Painted Rocks as Plant Labels–In the Garden
Uh Oh, Frost in MI Last Night
Last night the temperature at my mom Peggy's house was predicted to get down to the low 30's. That means frost was a real possibility. If you saw her gardens in my post a couple of days ago (Gardening: All in the Family), you know her plants are well underway and many not able to survive … Continue reading Uh Oh, Frost in MI Last Night
Gardening: All in the Family
For as long as I can remember my mom had vegetable and flower gardens, sometimes big, sometimes small. So did my grandparents. All this interest in growing things rubbed off on me and hopefully I'll pass it on to my kids. With that in mind, I had my mom and daughter take us on a tour … Continue reading Gardening: All in the Family
May Vegetable Garden
I've been so busy in the garden, I haven't had much time to write about it. Hopefully I can catch up in the next few days. Everything is in that wonderful, lush spring phase. Well, almost everything, but more on that another day. My raised vegetable beds are looking great. I got my first harvest … Continue reading May Vegetable Garden
Coffee Grounds-What to do With Them?
I was getting coffee and picking up my bakery bread order last weekend at the local coffee shop. Next to the register was this bag of coffee grounds, just inviting me to take it home for the garden. While we're not huge coffee drinkers, we drink enough that there are a few handfuls of grounds headed … Continue reading Coffee Grounds-What to do With Them?
Visiting the Morton Arboretum Annual Plant Sale
For me, the yearly Morton Arboretum Arbor Day Plant Sale is like sending a kid into a candy store. So many wonderful plants to pick from, some special ones that can be pre-ordered by members, and others that everyone can just go and select. Many of my best plants have come from there. Back in early February, still in the … Continue reading Visiting the Morton Arboretum Annual Plant Sale
My New Raised Beds-Soil
As I wrote in yesterday's post (My New Raised Beds-Construction), our new raised beds were finished. Next up, filling them with the right mix of soil and compost. First though, we had to get the grass out and the existing soil turned over. I know our grass has quite a bit of thatch, so it … Continue reading My New Raised Beds-Soil