Frost April 11, 2012

Well ole mother nature had one last blast of chill left in her. Last evening the temperature in the middle garden dropped to 37 degrees. As we planted a bit earlier than my father has always recommended we chose to buy a little insurance. The low tunnels we installed earlier in the season seem to have done the trick. Not sure of the impact on our strawberries or grapes but we will get a better idea over the next few days.

I can only hope that that this bit of cool weather has set the flea beetles back. They seem to have enjoyed our warm winter and early spring a bit more than anything else. Honeybee activity has been very light this season. Our blackberry bushes are loaded with blooms but we are seeing few honeybees this year. Looks like it may be time to install a couple of hives. 

We are expanding our little patch of garden to encompass another two acres. The soil is some of our fine Mississippi clay. We will work the beds this weekend and plant our first cover crop (soybeans). It will be a year before we build up enough organic material for the beds to be usable. 

Time to head for the office. Back to the gardening later this afternoon. 

Planting has begun in earnest!

This year we ordered our plugs from Harris Seeds, http://www.harrisseeds.com. The plugs arrived in perfect condition! Due to our very early spring we immediately began getting them in the ground. 300 tomato, 300 peppers and 550 herbs went in the ground over the course of last weekend (3/30).

As we violated the old southern rule of not planting before Easter we called on our friends at Johnny’s Seeds (http://www.johnnysseeds.com) for their 4′ low tunnel hoop bender and Agribon AG+19 just to be safe. Thus far we have not needed the protection but we are ready.

Speaking of the low tunnel hoop bender, what a great device! We created 50 hoops is just over an hour from 1/2″ EMT. We started our coin jar to save our change to purchase the 6′ low tunnel hoop bender this summer.

While we have just started our 2012 Spring planting season we are already working on adding an acre of speciality cut flowers to our garden in 2013. The beds must be created, organic matter added and the drip irrigation installed. One thing about dreaming big is that there is always good old fashioned hardwork to be done.

Time to grab a hoe, until next time.

Spring is Early!

We grow over 70 varities of Irises and all of them are in full bloom.

Oceano de Viamonte

My little Portuguese Podengo Pequeno who went Best of Breed Saturday 25 February, 2012 Meri Miss Kennel Club in Hattiesburg

Friends and new beginnings.

Yesterday a very dear friend called to my attention that I have let my blog age. Unlike a fine wine blogs that age are known as stale. Thus I have made the committment to get my backside in gear. It is a time for a new beginning.

My gardening exploits have now leaped to a new year and my soul longs for the first gasp of spring.

Like many, my sojourned mailbox has been filled an array of gardening catalogs from across this great nation. I readily admit that I devour each one. Holding on to them well past their prime.  Alas, they last much longer than the blooms.  As we endure yet another winter rainstorm the grey clouds give way to the vibrant colors of perfectly grown specimens, photographed at their prime and lustfully placed to entice my purchase.  It works! My spring garden has been carefully planned (http://www.growveg.com), a couple of thousand plugs have been purchased (http://www.harrisseeds.com), pounds of seed ordered (http://www.johnnyseeds.com) and the need for the newest gardening tools has been satiated.

This year my garden shall be a bit different from the utilitarian gardens I have always tended.  After reading all the works of Coleman and Byczynski I have made the leap into planting a mixed garden of flower and vegetables. Those who know me reflect on my efforts to do everything in a big way. So why not start out with a couple thousand plugs of my favorite flowers? Go big or go home is my motto.

And thus my blog has a new beginning. My next ramble will be about my lovely new hoe!

The Lions of the Farm

I have been intrigued for several years by the Lionhead Rabbits. They quite simply one of the most interesting pets that have joined our family. And to chagrin of my children I think they are cool!  Now the justification for owning them is easy. I want my little farm (my humble apologies to real farmers everywhere) to be sustainable and organic. And nothing produces ‘organic fertilizer’ like bunnies. Now I will tell you that our Lionheads are pets not livestock. We live within the city limits and are not allowed to own livestock. Our Lionheads are pets each with a special name, pedigree and a climate controlled home.  But they bring a certain panache to the farm.

Here is the newest member of our Pride!

Melissa and Joey Trailer!