Starting fresh
It’s time to shift from growing microgreens to regular greens for the garden. The soil under the cold frame is still as hard as rock (or ice) but I am hoping that the increased temperatures and bright sun that is predicted for the next week will create a quick thaw letting me plant my seedlings […]
Persisting leaves
Looking as fresh as possible, projections of saffron (Crocus sativus) leaves emerge from the melted snow. Appearing more like leaves of grass, these appendages are getting the last bit of energy they can before the corm goes dormant. Given this density of leaves, the corms need to be separated and placed in new cages so […]
Surprising flowers
Upon opening the door to the greenhouse, Juana and I discover flowers on the rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) bush that I left in the greenhouse over Winter. I rub the leaves and inhale deeply. Amazing! Spring must be around the corner.
Microgreen munchies
My class on microgreens is the largest of the Winter with 25 clients. They all seem excited about shaking off the Winter chill and getting their hands into the soil. “Though it seems early, we are just a bit more than a month from the equinox,” I start out. “So if you have a south […]
Lucky times
Strong winds blow off one of the plastic panes covering the cold frame. Luckily nothing shattered so I am able to easily replace it. But upon close inspection, I discover that I am not the only one who is lucky. There is digging in the soil and the tops of all the carrots (Daucus carota […]
Kitting up
Every other week, I set up a horticultural production line to ready materials for my clients at Ann’s Place @annsplaceinc. This week’s chore is particularity taxing as I have two dozen bags of materials to kit up for my class on microgreens. Luckily, Juana is helping me put everything together. Though it is a bit […]
Mid-winter harvest
The pickings are slim for fresh greens in February. After a long spate of very cold weather that was below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the cold frame is not serving up much. But a break in the cold gives me a chance to look things over. Both the corn salad (Valerianella locusta) and miners lettuce (Claytonia) […]
Making microgreens
Microgreens are one of the best ways to get back into the garden during these days when the real garden is a foot-plus under snow and ice. These arugula (Eruca vesicaria ssp sativa) sprouts are only two weeks old and almost ready to sample. If you want to extend your harvest, wait until real leaves […]
Shake it up!
Like many of my classes at @annsplaceinc, the one on vanilla extract is full with over 20 clients. Last year I also taught this class so some of my regulars decided not to attend as they still had vanilla left over. I start by asking everyone what are their favorite uses of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia). […]
Year in review
2021 in review. Better late than never. These are among the most favored by me and others of the Instagram posts I made last year in seasonal succession. Included is a brief recap of each picture. In a little over 10 months, I have gone from zip to over 3,200 followers. Thank you all. Bunnies […]