In the Garden April

Isn't this seed packet lovely? These are Blue Lake pole beans and I also got Musica pole beans when I made a purchase at Redecor in Sechelt. They are all the more special because they were saved by the owner from her planting over the years.

According to my West Coast Seeds chart these should not go in the ground until May! But my neighbours are planting them. What should I do? Plant now like my neighbours or wait a little longer?

I think I might have to prioritize...

So far this month we have planted arugula, a stir fry green mix, mesclun mix, 2 types of kale, 2 rounds of radish,and currant bushes. And I still need to plant:
- shallots, scallions, potatoes, storage onions, leeks, spinach, sunflowers, collards, 2 types of Swiss chard, asters, Phacelia

I need to buy and plant:
-fennel

What am I ignoring this year:
-carrots- because we just planted over what was grass I don't want them to get worms
-carrots, parsnips, beets- because we just started raised beds over what was grass we need to give the ground a few years to break down so we can grow root plants

What else do I need to think of:
-weeding and a mulch for the new garden (lots of exposed soil right now)
-a large tunnel to greenhouse the upcoming tomato and basil raised bed that is 12x4
-pinching flowers off of the blueberries to encourage the roots to grow this year

Waste Update Confessional

In this post I am going to acknowledge my waste demons and then plan ways to tackle this waste in future posts. What are your waste demons? This includes recyclables.

1) diapers
2) wipes
3) tetra packs for milk
4) soda cans
5) bread bags and ties
6) tortilla bags
7) wine bottles
8) mum mum and granola bar wrappers
6) cheese plastic
7) meat and deli wrap
8) disposable coffee mugs
9) yoghurt containers
10) Noah and Caia food waste
11) general food waste
12) garden waste- soil bags, seedling plastic
13) chocolate bar waste

Spring is here!

The family got hit hard with a stomach virus. But thanks to a low key schedule we bounced back fairly quickly. Caia only has 1 scheduled activity- ballet on Tuesdays. So we don't spend our time rushing around.

Here's what we accomplished in March:

1) Noah turned one. He is so close to walking. And we are grateful for gifts from a few friends and family members of sandbox diggers, a swing, a pulling toy
and hard books.
2) We celebrated Easter. Caia is being read her first chapter book. Mommy blew out a dozen eggs over the course of a few weeks and Daddy made natural dye from purple cabbage and spices. Our nature table and art hanging is revamped for Spring. And the Easter Bunny delivered eggs.
3) Daddy made a sandbox and after researching the safety of sand we loaded it with 500 lbs of sand. And he hung swings in the porch.
4) We set out a new bee home with mason bee cocoons.
5) I finished a total of 100 heavy saturated wheelbarrows full of manure and soil. Made a flower teepee, planted peas, walla walla onions, radishes, sunflowers and tulips etc (with a friend's help). And baby ever bearing strawberries. Kevin planted arugula and 2 types of mescluns.
6) Kevin removed a patch of front lawn.

We are set to plant more and tackle weeds! Bring on Spring!