Gardening for Health

Essentials for Gardening

2007-12-20T21:50:00.000-08:00

I am always interested and amazed by what other gardeners are doing, hoping that I can pick up a few new tricks and ideas to use in my own garden. So, I thought it was a very interesting list that Fran Sorin recently featured in her GardenSmart section of USA Weekend. She mentions that "gardeners need a pantry, just like chefs do." That is something that I certainly agree with, because to be an effective gardener, you must have the tools of the trade, just like any other professional (even if you are only a novice, you can pretend to know what you are doing). Ms. Sorin suggests setting up your gardening pantry in either the kitchen or garage (it's even better if you have a garden shed you can setup in).

I thought that some of the items she includes in her gardening pantry were worthy of consideration. Here is a list of what she stocks:

Twine (you cannot garden without it, you need it for alot of projects, like staking your green beans that seem to be ascending into the sky)
Pruners (important to have more than one kind for various tasks, like pruning your beautiful roses)
Yellow sticky fly paper for pests (I know they maybe good for the environment, but I have always hated to see them - I don't like to look at dead pests)
Plastic spray bottle (I have more than one type, so that I can get the spray volume that I want depending on what kind of product I am spraying)
Small bag of crumbly potting mix (you are not a gardener, if you do not have any potting mix on hand, it's a must)
Terra cotta pots with saucers (something I need to start using, since I have read plants do much better in them than in plastic planting pots)
Neem or pyola oil for insects and mites (I have several bottles of Neem oil on hand, it is a natural insecticide - a must for organic gardening)
Organic fungicide (again, a must for organic gardening)
Spray fertilizer or granular fertilizer (she uses a fish oil or probiotic, something I would like to try this season)
Hot pepper spray to ward off squirrels, rabbits and other critters (we use hot pepper solution to run away moles and voles, and any other creatures that crawl underground and make unsightly holes in the ground)
Garlic clips, Liquid Fence, Garlic Barrier or cut-up bars of Irish Spring soap to repel deer (we don't worry with deer, we have other pests to deal with, but this is certainly good to know)

It's always helpful to find out what other people are doing in their gardens, you may be able to learn some wonderful new ideals of things you would like to try in your own garden. I certainly appreciated the list of must-have garden gear that Ms. Sorin shared, it gave me a little inspiration.

Garden Blogs

2007-11-29T22:17:00.000-08:00

Last weekend's USA Weekend, dated November 23-25, 2007, had a short article about garden blogs. It was under the heading of GardenSmart, and was written by Fran Sorin. As she mentions, garden blogs are available on the web covering every possible topic related to gardening. There are garden blogs that have a regional focus, as well as an international flair. (I love to look at garden blogs from places that I would one day like to visit, it gives you a feel for the area. And you find out how people around the U.S., and even the world, go about their gardening.)

Ms. Sorin mentions that two of her favorite gardening blogs are:

GardenRant.com

written by four women that live in various parts of the country, and

GardeningGoneWild.com

a blog she helped to create with other gardeners that features different experiences and opinions.

As she notes, visiting gardening blogs gives you the opportunity to exchange ideas and engage in interactions with fellow gardeners. That's something I certainly enjoy doing!

Garden Calendar Tips

2007-11-25T19:51:00.000-08:00

I had to take a little hiatus from garden blogging, since my old computer died on me. I'm still checking out the new features on my new computer, so I'm still not up to speed. While going through my accumulated emails, I was pleasantly surprised with an e-newsletter I recently received from Lowe's Home and Garden Center. On Lowe's Outdoor Living section of their Garden Club website, they had some interesting articles. I particularly enjoyed the Garden Calendar tips, that featured regional tips for your zone by month. It offered ideas of things you should be doing to prepare your yard and garden for the winter season - check it out. Also, while there, you can subscribe to their e-newsletter and quarterly Garden Club print publication. They are both free of charge and have helpful information.

Healing Gardens for Better Health

2007-09-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

I was reading a very interesting article, in the May 2007 issue of Southern Living magazine. Throughout hospital campuses across the South, there are healing gardens thriving. The purpose is to provide a tranquil setting where patients can escape "their sterile environment and connect with the environment." The article focused particularly on the healing garden established at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston, TX. The garden is called the Chrysalis Project, and "contains a scattering of pocket-size beds carefully designed to attract butterflies."

The project was spearheaded by Chris LaChance, a cancer survivor, whose own experience at the Cancer Center inspired her to create the butterfly garden. When she was receiving treatment at the hospital, it only had a small planting area at the entrance. But "it gave her the kiss of nature that she needed." As Chris says, "When I sat out there watching a butterfly or a bird taking a seed from a bush, I would start thinking about how happy I was to be alive. It gave me such comfort to be connected with nature. It was an affirmation that life goes on after cancer." She says that she started the project because "I wanted to give that feeling of comfort to those who were going through the chaos of cancer. I wanted to give them a place where they could go and put it all aside." As she explains, "Things are living, growing. Everything is not dying. These little nuggets of respite offer moments of bliss. You can string these nuggets together to empower you." Chris also reflected that "cancer changes you. As you are going through it, things are forming and changing like in a chrysalis. There is a loss of innocence, and you know life is finite. But after cancer, you come out a complete jewel. You are stronger, more aware of life."

The article points out that the Chrysalis Project is unique because of the butterflies. Lots of healing gardens have shrubs, flowers, and benches, but not everyone allows you to see the metamorphosis of change provided by butterflies. Equally impressive, is that "the Chrysalis Project is totally organic, using no pesticides or harmful chemicals"; which makes sense especially in a medical community.

There were two health benefits emphasized in the article, that can be gained by healing gardens:

Viewing nature can help reduce stress in three minutes or less.

Research suggests that surgical patients who have views of nature experience quicker recovery with fewer minor complications.

After reading the article, I realized that all of us can benefit from our own personal healing garden, even if you do not have a serious illness. We are all vulnerable to stress, and the effects of just having a very bad day. It certainly brightens my day, and helps me relieve stress when I come home and look around at the roses, flowers, and other growing things in my yard. And don't let a butterfly pass by! A butterfly really does represent metamorphosis; things change, they don't always stay the same, situations can change for the better. Life does go on!

Click on the Link to view work in progress at the Chrysalis Project healing garden in Houston, TX.

Gardening Equals Strong Bones

2007-09-06T14:12:00.001-07:00

For me, gardening is a passion. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I recently read that activities like gardening can contribute to bone health. There was an article entitled, "Build Bones with Strength Training, " by Jorge Cruise, in the USA Weekend dated August 3-5, 2007. In the article it stated that researchers doing a six-year, nationwide study found that "weight-bearing activities like strength training and yardwork were linked to bone health." The lead researcher pointed out that "like muscles, bone responds to force by growing. . . bones become more dense." In addition, it is essential to get the right amount of calcium each day for someone your age.

It is reassuring to know that when I'm gardening I'm not just turning up dirt, I'm improving my bone strength too. GARDENING = STRONG BONES

Have a Great Holiday and Enjoy Your Garden!

2007-09-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

Take time to enjoy the holiday, and don't forget to stop and smell the roses!

HAVE FUN!!

Hurricane Dean and the Garden

2007-08-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

Still working on cleaning up the garden space. There was some recent relief from the extreme heat and humidity, when the remnants of Hurricane Erin recently brought some rain and cloudiness to the area, after many days of 100 degree weather. Hurricane Dean may also bring some relief from the hot weather here, but I fear it may also bring much agony and destruction to those areas that are directly hit by it. Hopefully, the hurricane will not be as strong as predicted, and spare heavily populated areas.

Hot and Humid Gardening

2007-08-13T17:20:00.001-07:00

The last two weeks have been so hot and humid, that it almost makes me want all that rain back. The temperature was 102 degrees today, with an heat index of 117 degrees in the shade. The heat has brought most outdoor activities to a halt, so nevertheless, the garden is still pretty much a mess. We were able to do a little cleanup work, but it's small, compared to the work that lies ahead. So, much for the summer garden! Yet, onward we go, we are already starting to plan our fall garden. We will not let this funky weather get us down!!

The latana plant (above) is one plant that does seem to thrive in hot and dry conditions. It provides a pleasant bit of color when we step outside to the patio. It's always bright and cheery, so it makes us want to be too, even if it is blazing HOT.

To get anything done outside, including a walk with the puppies, you have to get up pretty early around here. At 7 AM, it's already usually hitting at 80 degrees. Therefore, we have been trying to go to bed early, and get up early. I'm starting to feel like some frontier farmer that must work with the daylight - early to bed, early to rise. We do take comfort, though, in knowing that a great part of the country is in this current heat wave. Misery does like company:) KEEP COOL!!

Gardening is a Healthy Workout

2007-08-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

I've been a little blue about the garden. All the rain, then heat and humidity, then some more rain and heat - well, you get the picture. This type of weather pattern can wreak havoc on a garden. So, I was looking at some pictures from earlier in the spring, when I was getting my seeds started to plant later in the ground. I realize that it is alot of hard work, but despite the sometimes disappointing results, it is well worth it. I started gardening not only to get fresh, organic fruits and vegetables to eat and enjoy with family and friends, but also because there is nothing healthier than getting a good sweat outside in the dirt. I really am gardening for health - my physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and even financial health. Gardening does all that, and more.

I was reading in the July/August 2007 issue of HEALTH magazine, that "gardening burns around 340 calories per hour for a 150-pound woman, and strengthens the muscles throughout the body." I don't know a woman, or for that matter, a man, who is concerned about their health, that wouldn't enjoy burning calories like that. Kudos to: Gardening for Health.

The Garden is a Mess

2007-07-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

I hate to admit it, but the garden is a mess. It has rained so much in the past couple of weeks, that everything has went. Grass and weeds are popping up everywhere, plants are growing in places that I know we did not put there, and everything is looking a little pale. When we finally have time to go and try to clean things up a bit, it decides to rain again. Which is exactly what is going to happen this week - it's supposed to start raining tomorrow. What a bummer!

Two things that I know we will be able to salvage, are the okra, and the tomatoes. Well, at least we will be able to have fried okra and tomatoes. That is better than nothing at all. But I'm still hoping we will be able to save more. Somewhere out there we have planted watermelons, cantaulopes, squash, and more. We will start our vegetable treasure hunting after the rain.

A Little Bit of Color in the Garden on a Cloudy Day

2007-07-21T16:13:00.003-07:00

It hasn't rain so far today, but anything is still possible. The roses, at least, seem to enjoy the extra moisture. They don't last long, because the rain showers beat the rose petals off. It's nice, though, to see a little bit of color on a cloudy day.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!! I Must Garden!

2007-07-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

Rain, rain, and more rain!! Oh, did I mention that it has been raining. While the West is too dry, the South is too wet. It seems like it has rained almost everyday. Although, free water is good for a garden, too much can be a very bad thing.

Rather than dwell on something that I have no control over, I prefer to think about more pleasant topics. Like the beautiful arch of cascading roses in the above picture. It's a climbing blaze rose. Since it had nowhere else to climb up to, we decided to train it to climb the fence in an arch shape. This picture is from a couple of weeks ago, but the roses lasted a surprisingly long time.

I haven't had much to say about the garden with all of the rain. But the weather forecasters predict that August will be drier. So, I'm hoping that we will still be able to salvage more than just tomatoes out of the garden this year. We never give up trying!

Marigolds in the Garden

2007-06-21T19:19:00.001-07:00

Have a Happy Marigold kind of Day!! :)

Sunflowers

2007-06-15T21:04:00.001-07:00

They are not the best photos in the world, but I'm so proud of our sunflower plants. They are really, really tall - at least 10 feet tall. And they are just starting to open up. Hopefully, I will get better photos to post in the future.

Everytime I look up at them, I feel like I'm Jack, and they are the beanstock. Maybe if they keep on growing, I'll be able to reach the giant's treasures.

The Peaches are Coming!!

2007-06-14T10:37:00.001-07:00

The peaches on one of the trees are almost ready. Everytime I look at the tree, my mouth starts to salivate. I know that sounds sort of piggish, but I really love peaches. And there is nothing better than peaches off of your own tree.

They have a beautiful pink rosy color. And the tree is loaded! That's sort of a bad thing, because the weight of the fruit could snap the branches with help from a little wind. Well, I'll worry about that later. I'm just hoping the fruit will hurry up and ripen. The peaches are beautiful, but not ready yet.

I must admit, even if they were not eatable, the tree is just a pleasure to look at. It's mind blogging to think, that those gorgeous fruit started out as pretty little pink flower buds on the tree. AMAZING!!

Red Roses

2007-05-30T23:43:00.001-07:00

I really love roses! To look out the window and see beautiful red roses climbing the fence, now that's a sight to enjoy!

Onions, Garlic, and More

2007-05-18T20:51:00.003-07:00

We have begin harvesting the onion and garlic bulbs we planted back in late fall. It has been very rewarding, since this is the first time we have had such a bounty. We have purple onions (they are so large, the photo doesn't do them justice), and yellow onions. We now have plenty of garlic, which we love to put on everything. (We try to freshen our breath before talking to others after enjoying our garlic:) And I can't forget the two yellow crookneck squash and two green zucchini. It's so satisfying to begin to enjoy the fruits of one's labor!

Favorite Climbing Rose

2007-05-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite climbing rose. Everyday when I look out the window at it, I am pleasantly surprised. I never know whether it will display colors of red, yellow, orange, pink, or something in between. I picked it up for $1.00, at the end of the season, never imagining how much delight a dollar would bring.

Cabbage Pride

2007-05-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

To the average gardener, the picture to the left may not mean anything important. Yet to us, it represents cabbage pride. We have unsuccessfully tried two years in a row to raise cabbage. But before the cabbage can really start to grow, some little dirty cabbage worm or other pest would come and consume the plant almost overnight.

This year we decided to try some other tactics, including starting the plant a couple of weeks earlier than we have in the past. Finally, we have experienced the joy of having fresh cabbage from our own garden! The first cabbage we cooked, we savored every bite. It was delicious! When you plant something, cultivate it, and watch it grow, to enjoy it as part of a meal is like icing on the cake. It makes you have much more appreciation for food, than when you just run to the local grocery store and pick something up; a joy and satisfaction that brings a smile to my face.

Nice Night for Growing

2007-05-10T22:56:00.000-07:00

I've been told that plants do most of their growing at night. If so, it should be a really nice night for growing.

Peaches are Growing

2007-05-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

I'm like a little kid, when it comes to watching things grow. Every chance I get, I will go and see if something has got a little bigger, or sprouted another leaf; waiting with unbridled anticipation for the final result - EATING MY BOUNTY. I have been watching the peach trees with particular attention, and you can sort of image why. It's amazing to see the bare tree start to bud with beautiful pink flowers, then as the flowers fall off, you see the beginnings of a tiny little peach. Then you wait, as it gets bigger and prettier, with each passing day. Oh, and the best part is that we have two different varieties of peach trees (a yellow fruit and a white fruit), one that ripens early in the season, and the other that ripens a few weeks later. Anticipation really is keeping me waiting!

Roses Confirm Spring is Here

2007-05-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

For me, the appearance of blooming roses, confirms that spring really is here. The sight of beautiful red roses uplifts your spirit, no matter what kind of day you are having. It gives you a moment of tranquility, to stop to look at and smell the roses. Which is something I am trying to do more often.

Reflections on the Winter Garden

2007-05-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

I have been very neglectful of my gardening blog. When life gets a little overwhelming, something has got to go, and unfortunately that has been my blogging. Although I have not been making regular posts, I have been taking photos on occasion.

Here are some of the things we were growing in our garden during the winter months:

Collard greens
Mustard greens
Onions, still in their infancy
Green cabbage
Turnip greens - which a ladybug is trying to help keep harmful pests out of
Cauliflower
Purple cabbage
Broccoli

The Last of the Summertime Produce

2006-11-13T12:29:00.000-08:00

This was what I call the last of the really, truly summertime produce that I got out of the garden. It may not look like much to someone else, but I was thrilled! One cantaloupe, and one banana pepper. The cantaloupe did not taste like much, but it sure was pretty! This gives me hope, and makes me consider the possibilities for next spring and summer. I'm already thinking about what we will plant.

More Pretty Fall Flowers

2006-11-12T20:04:00.000-08:00

As the fall/winter weather continues to set in, I'm always appreciative to see a hint of color. I love to see the changing colors of the trees, as they start to shred their leaves - the red, orange, and gold colors. I also admire the flowers that survive, and even seem to thrive, as the weather gets colder (like the mums above). I still have summertime flowers that are getting their last dance, until they return in the spring.

(Orange Latana)

(Marigolds)

(Marigolds)

(Purple Latana)

(Orange Latana)

Pretty Fall Flowers

2006-11-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

We have been enjoying a couple of days of really nice summertime weather (it has actually been in the 80's with sunshine). So, I guess we can't complain that wet weather will be returning later this evening, along with a cold front. Some people are plowing snow out of their driveways today, and would be happy to deal with a little cold rain.

As I looked around today, I tried to savor the delightful colors and sights of the various fall and late summer flowers still in the yard. Just in case they don't make it through the cold front coming, but I'm hoping they will persevere. Hang in there flowers! (Above, are some beautiful brazen orange mums I picked up for just $2. I think that's a pretty cheap spirit-lifter.)

(Yellow Latana)

(Purple Hardy Hibiscus)

(Bougainvilla)

(Jasmine Vine)

The Strong Keep Growing

2006-11-09T12:43:00.000-08:00

Despite being drowned by rain showers, on three different occasions, it looks like our fall garden is resilient. It has taken a rain beating several times, but everything keeps on growing. In fact, the little greens look like they have grown at least a fourth of an inch overnight. We can't wait to have our first batch of fresh home-grown greens. We like to make broth-type soup out of the greens. There is nothing better to warm you up on a cold day, and it's very nutritious too.

Between the rain showers and a couple of days of warm weather we have been enjoying, several plants that would ordinary have died, are still going. The okra are still trying to grow, we are enjoying tomatoes off the vine, and the various peppers keep on producing. It's seems kind of strange, but the weather has been as confusing as ever. I suppose the plants are as confused as we are. We aren't complaining though.

Something Good from Something that Seemed SO Bad

2006-11-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

The continual rainshowers seemed to forecast bad news for our planting efforts. But we have been pleasantly surprised to see that the transplants and bulbs we planted appear to be holding their own. The cabbage, for example, is thriving and getting bigger each day. Time will tell, but for now there is hope for sure.

Another very appreciated surprise has been how the flowers have enjoyed the showers. The roses especially have delighted in the rain. We never get enough of roses around here.

Mother Nature, Please Give Us a Break!

2006-10-20T09:25:00.000-07:00

The heat is gone. It's cold and wet now. Two weeks ago it was hot, humid, and very dry. By the time the temperature was finally beginning to go down a bit, we decided it was time to do some planting. We have been very busy, so we just decided to buy out a day and do some planting, otherwise it will never get done. We planted as many of our favorite fall vegetables that we had time to plant - greens (collards, mustards, and turnips), onions (red and yellow), garlic, carrots, rutabagas, beets, and more. Guess what? Within two days, everything was under water. Now I know why people left farming alone, and moved to the cities. But we will not be detered by Mother Nature!

The Heat Is Still On!

2006-10-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Surprise, surprise! It's still hot here! It really is a good time to plant some seeds and transplants, since it is still very warm. But the ground needs to be cleared and cultivated, and who wants to get all sweaty and dirty. And I guess we are being a bit lazy too. We are waiting until a cooler day to clean up from the summer harvest. The weather people are promising that a cold front should be passing through in a couple of days. Until then, we are still enjoying the roses.

Thinking about Fall Planting

2006-09-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

It has been another beautiful fall day. We have been waiting until the temperature started to cool down before even beginning to think about our fall garden. The temperature is going down, so now it's time to get serious. I have been enjoying the roses, while considering the possibilities . . .

Pecan Season is Upon Us

2006-09-21T00:42:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy, that we have not had much time to reflect on the pecan trees in the yard. While doing yardwork recently, we noticed that the pecans are plentiful in the trees this year; it promises to be a bountiful crop. My head whirled, while thinking about all the possible uses for a good pecan crop: pecan pie, pecan candy, pecans in a fresh salad, eating pecans right out of the shell. Unfortunately, most of the things that I think of doing with pecans involve calories - I MUST THINK HEALTHIER!

I never really thought about what pecans look like on the tree, before moving to the Southern States. I would just go to the grocery store and purchase a bag of shelled pecans. But I must say that pecan trees are stately and beautiful. This time of year, there could not be a better Sunday afternoon drive, than driving through the countryside passing orchards of pecan trees.

Welcome rain showers!

2006-09-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

It has been extremely dry all summer, making the ground very hard to work with, and making it even more difficult for things to grow. Since I have decided to forget about the summertime failures, and move on to fall, the rain showers today were a welcome relief. Now the soil will be much easier to work with. Also, the rains brought a little ray of hope from the heat and humidity of the past several weeks. I'm looking forward to planting a few things this week.

The roses are really enjoying the rain showers!

Anyone interested in a E. coli spinach salad?

2006-09-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

I was invigorated and excited to begin a fall lifestyle change, after seeing The Oprah Winfrey Show on Friday, September 15th. It focused on Dr. Oz's "90-Day Live Longer, Feel Younger Plan". Something that I am certainly interested in. The plan mentioned certain superfoods, foods that can reverse the aging process and keep you healthy. One of the superfoods mentioned was spinach, packed with essential nutrients. The program followed a woman, who during the course of the 90 day plan, lost over 40 pounds and gained energy and self-esteem. This plan certainly sounded like a win-win to me, who doesn't want to look and feel better and younger.

You can imagine my disappointment then, when I watched the evening news that same day, and heard about the recall on E. coli-contaminated spinach. It appears that E. coli has been reported in 94 cases, in 19 states, and has killed one person. Washing won't get rid of the E. coli bacteria, so the spinach must simply be thrown away. Grocery stores across the nation are pulling all bagged spinach products off of their shelves, and throwing them away. So, there goes one superfood, down the trash!

Although, I was a bit bummed about our garden this summer, the more I thought about the news event, the more I was stirred to action. I must admit that in the busy society that we live in today, it is very convenient to be able to go to the local grocery store and pick up a bag of salad greens already washed and ready to eat. Yet, this does put us at the mercy of others for our food supply. I'm not saying that everyone go back to being farmers and grow everything that we eat, but in even small ways we can exercise some control over what we eat. I could easily grow a few of my own salad greens in a potted container, it doesn't take very much room to grow a few greens or herbs, ready to use at your convenience.

One of the issues that has come to the fore from this latest E. coli incident, is that manure should never be used as a fertilizer for produce consumed raw, like spinach, since E. coli can be spread through contamination by fecal material. I know people right in this area, who would not dream of planting without using manure as a fertilizer. So, this issue emphasizes the need to exercise care not only in what you are planting, but also what methods and products you use to fertilize and care for your garden.

Now that summer is over, and fall is here, I have some spinach to plant, along with other delicious vegetables to be enjoyed!

Back from INSANITY to GARDENING!

2006-09-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

OK! I answered my own question, it's not possible to do everything you would like to do and still be sane. Sometimes, good intentions are not enough, which I truly had plenty of. Life just sort of gets in the way, and unfortunately, there are circumstances beyond our control - like the weather. It was not hot down here this year, it was H O T !!! Between the raging temperatures, and soaring humidity, it had all of us thinking about moving to the North Pole or Antarctica, anywhere cooler! Being transplants to the Southern States, I guess we just could not appreciate the hot and steamy weather. We didn't feel so bad, though, when alot of local people native to the area, also complained about the heat. In addition, when we would look at the evening news, we realized that this was just an unusual year. It was really hot in alot of places, throughout the U.S., and even in parts of Europe where it is traditionally cooler. I guess misery really does like company, because that made us feel better. I say all of this to say that the weather wreaked havoc on our garden this year!

There were so many days that we wanted to go out and water the badly dehydrated garden, but it was TOO hot. Don't get me wrong, we were very concerned about the wonderful vegetables, fruits, and flowers - tomatoes, beans, squash, cantaloupes, watermelons, okra, figs, marigolds, and more - growing out there; but, we valued the life and safety of us and the puppies more. It was all we could do, after the normal everyday activities of life, to keep ourselves and the puppies ( they are cuter than ever, of course, my opinion is biased) cool and hydrated. We hope to install some type of irrigation system, so we won't have the same problem next year. Yet, everything was not a total loss. We did manage to get some tomatoes. Also, some of out plants seemed to thrive in the hot weather - like the okra, figs, Chinese long beans, and cantaloupes ( but they wre lacking in a nice sweet taste). And even under the severe conditions, it was a pleasure to see something determined to grow despite the elements. Even in the plant world, when the going gets rough, the tough keep growing. That's food for thought, for the rest of us earthly beings.

Some of the things that we have enjoyed seeing grow this summer:

Is it possible to garden, raise new puppies, have a life, and be sane too?

2006-06-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe that it has been almost four months since my last entry in this gardening blog. The time flies so fast! It has been a very hectic time - we have been trying to get seeds started and plants established before the REALLY HOT weather moves in. It's June, and there have already been many upper 90 degree days since the first of the year. I fear that it's going to be a HOT & STEAMY summer! In addition, we were crazy enough to adopt two puppies, after not having had any pets for many, many years. What were we thinking!! It's like bringing home twin babies - double pleasure, but, also double TROUBLE. All of this activity has been going on, while we are still strying to do the ordinary, normal, everyday tasks of life - working, eating, sleeping, and all the other stuff that fills your day.

The puppies, Rusty and Smoky, are adorable. Not well-trained yet, we are still working on that. They have their own blog: A PUPPY'S LIFE (THE ADVENTURES OF RUSTY AND SMOKY).

As if I didn't already have enough to do, I started a blog for the puppies. I felt compelled to do it, since I have not found many blogs on puppies or dogs. I know I would have probably found one to be helpful and fun. Especially when you have not had a pet for awhile, it helps to know what things to expect. Anyway, that's another project I'm working on. And guess what? The puppies love organic veggies. they have been disciplined more than once for tearing down sweet pea vines, which they then hide in their dog house to chew on. More about them at their blog: A PUPPY'S LIFE (THE ADVENTURES OF RUSTY AND SMOKY).

Getting back to gardening, I can truly understand why some people don't bother, even when they have the space and free time. It takes dedication, hard work, time, and patience to have a garden. (We are finding out that it takes the same requirements to raise puppies.) When you work, have a family, and a busy schedule - that's even more so. Yet, I believe that the benefits outweigh the effort required. So, that's why each year we buy out time to plant a garden. I know for sure that our home-grown tomatoes are tastier and healthier, than those bland-tasting mushy ones in the grocery store that may be from half way around the world. I applaud all the home gardeners of the world, for their devotion, dedication, and determination!!

Oh, and yes, I am making a sincere effort to become regular in my garden blog postings.

(The pictures that follow are of some of our spring bounty, in various stages of growth, that we enjoyed looking at, and of course, EATING - sweet peas, greens, turnips, rutabagas, broccoli, and more.)

Fresh organic GREENS are delicious!

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One of our all-time favorite vegetables to grow and to eat are greens. We love all kinds of greens - mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, kale, bok choy,and the list could go on. Greens are easy to grow, nutritious, and delicious!! Each variety of greens has it's own unique taste and smell, but it is also fun to mix different kinds together and eat. Greens can be eaten raw, adding zest to salads; and they can also be stir-fried, steamed, sauteed, and even put into a tasty soup. The possibilities are endless!!

We love to see the greens growing. Within days of planting, you begin to see the little greens beginning to sprout. It is amazing how fast they grow, within just a few weeks you are ready to gather your greens. In most parts of the country, this is still a good time to plant and harvest the greens, as they do best while the weather is still cool. When the heat of summer begins, most greens do not grow well, and start to take on a bitter taste and tough texture. So, enjoy while there is still time!

(To the left, are pictures of one of our all-time favorite greens, collards, in the various stages of growth.)

Gardening is for Everyone (even people with small places and little space)

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Having lived in a large, metropolitan city most of our lives, the extent of our planting and gardening had been limited to houseplants and fresh cut flowers purchased from a store. Now that we have moved to a smaller community, with a large yard to maintain, it has given us the opportunity and space to see if we can grow more than houseplants. Also, we feel a guilty obligation to do something environmentally positive - organic home gardening is one contribution to that effort, there are already enough toxins in the soil, water, and air.

It grieves me now to realize that we could have experienced the joys of gardening, even while living in the city, just on a smaller scale. It could have been something as simple as a couple of tomato plants in pots on the patio, or a hanging basket of cascading flowers to greet us at our door. We now know that gardening can be accomplished in a small, intimate setting on an apartment balcony; or in a large, grandiose way, with towering sunflower plants and a scarecrow thrown in for good measure. It really depends on your situation. Yet, EVERYONE can enjoy the healthy benefits of gardening! It does not matter whether you are male or female, young or old. It does not matter whether you live out in the country with a large yard, or live in the city in a small studio apartment with a little balcony. If all else fails, most cities have community gardening efforts that one can become a part of. In fact, the American Community Garden Association has a website that provides links to Community Garden Programs throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. So, EVERYONE REALLY CAN GARDEN!!

Gardening for a Healthy Lifestyle

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Home gardening has provided many health benefits and joys for me and my family. I never envisioned that we would become organic, home gardeners - raising our own fresh organic veggies, and smelling our own roses (and other fresh cut flowers). This home gardening blog is my attempt to share the love of gardening that we have developed, and is a testimony to the healthy benefits to be enjoyed. The health benefits, in addition to the sheer joy, have been numerous:

PHYSICALLY: Knowing that we are eating something that has not been heavily sprayed with pesticides, that is organically-grown and healthy for you, fresh from your own home garden. Also, it is physically invigorating to be outside with nature, breathing fresh air, getting your hands dirty with the rich soil of the earth in your home garden.
SPIRITUALLY: It renews trust that there must be a higher power that has created the marvelous variety and color spectrum found in nature.
EMOTIONALLY: You feel real joy to see something that you have planted from a tiny seed, and then nurtured (watering, fertilizing, pulling the weeds from), become a living thing that is beautiful to look at (like flowers) and delicious to eat (like veggies).
MENTALLY: It is both challenging and mentally stimulating to plan and execute the making of a piece of earth into a desirable home garden oasis to enjoy and linger in.
FINANCIALLY: When the crop does well, we reap bountifully. You may spend $3 on a packet of tomato seeds, but are rewarded many times over when a copious crop is produced. Consider, I have paid more than $3 a pound for organic tomatoes at the grocery store.

I want to tell about the joys and tribulations, we have experienced while gardening. Also, share gardening techniques and garden tools, that we have found that seem to work for us, in overcoming gardening obstacles.

I will include pictures of our home gardening efforts, and occasionally throw in a recipe to show ways to enjoy one's bounty fresh from your organic home garden. I will also include links to other home gardening blogs, gardening websites, and gardening articles that we enjoy and find informative. I hope you enjoy reading this home gardening blog, as much as I enjoy writing it! HERE WE GO!!