Indoor Planting and Planning

I had occasion to see and listen to Diana Leeson Fisher speak last week.  She is smart, interesting and funny.  Before her talk, she asked each of us in the room if we ever kept a diary or a journal.  Some answered yes with little stories attached and a few answered no.  I was the last to answer which gave me time to think – I certainly have been and am currently keeping a journal but have never thought of it as such.

I was given one of those Lee Valley 10 -year Garden Journals many years ago, jotted down a few notes from year to year, put it aside and didn’t think about it very much after that.  When this business started to be a going concern I dragged the book out to the greenhouse (it’s big) in the spring and now, each spring when we start our seeds we carefully write down when and how many seeds we plant in how many cells or trays and follow through (mostly) on dates and times of up-pottings.  This ritual continues each year so much that I may have to buy another one of those Journals soon. 

And since I send emails to you each week and post as often in my blog that is, in fact, a journal as well as my record keeping.  So my answer was that I certainly do. 

I’m very thrilled to be included in the advancement of the Holy Cross School garden project which begins this week.  It’s a little too soon to start sowing so I’m bringing a small portion of my world of microgreens to the school.  If the kids share a fraction of the excitement I have for growing food, then they are on their way to a wonderful gardening season.  I’ll keep you posted on the progress.  A parent is going to talk about beekeeping at some point and you can be sure I’ll be there to take in as much info as I can.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could do Everything we want to?

I am actively advertising for full-time and part-time help.  I want to put together an amazing team for the growing season and would ask you to mention this to everyone you know so I can have the opportunity to interview many and pick the best to grow here.  Thanks.  The details are on my previous blog here posted January 10, 2018. 

I ordered the first batch of seeds last week and hope to see them arrive any day now.  Then the fun really begins.  I now have the seed potato order form and am choosing which to grow this year.  We experimented with growing them in straw last year – failed – so will be back to the good ole tried and true method of plunking them deep into the soil, continuously hilling them up, digging and enjoying them.  And putting them in earlier than we did last year will be a better way too.   

microgreens to keep us healthy during the cold season
pea shoots/pea shoots/sunflower shoots
radish/radish/kale,
red cabbage/arugula/arugula

There are more sunflower shoots above these and more in trays started the other day.  They are the favourites so I'll keep them going for a steady supply.  

Until then, we have the following wonderfulness of nutritional goodness J

Apples, dehydrated  $2 /snack bag

Granola, with fruit  $8 /500mL jar  I make it when you order

Granola, with nuts and fruit  $10 /500mL jar  I make it when you order

Hummus:   chickpeas*, tahini*, olive oil*, lemon juice*, roasted garlic*, a teeny bit of hot pepper flakes and cumin  (*organic)  $5 250/mL jar   I’m making it today

MICROGREENS  $2 / bag:

  Arugula

  Kale

  Pea Shoots  should they choose to be ready by Friday (sigh)

  Radish

  Red Cabbage

  Sunflower Shoots  should they choose to be ready by Friday (sigh again)

SPROUTS:  $3 / bag

  Sandwich Booster (clover, alfalfa, radish & mustard) 

  Spring Salad Mix  (broccoli, radish, red clover & alfalfa) 

Tomato Sauce  $6 /500mL jar  sealed

Tomatoes, dehydrated  $2 /snack bag

Tomatoes, frozen   $4 /4Cup package  great for sauces and soups

Tomatoes, Gardeners’ Delight (ping pong ball size) frozen whole  $3 pound

Note:  If you would like me to do up Crunchy Bean Mix Sprouts, Ancient Eastern Blend Sprouts and/or Wheat Grass, let me know.  I can do that but I don’t unless I know you are interested. 

I look forward to receiving Your Special Order.  Call or email me with amounts you’d like and any questions.  

Thanks.

Until next post, have a great every day.

Jo