Planting by the Moon
I’ve always found the idea of planting by the moon fascinating, yet kind of confusing as well. I haven’t read about it in depth, so I don’t know much about it. I hear the phases of the moon have an affect on the moisture in the soil, how seeds sprout and it leaf and root growth.
When I saw this full moon on Tuesday night it reminded me that I want to spend some time this winter reading about this topic. I’ll have to look up a few books about it and add them to my winter reading list (which is already getting quite long).
Anyone have experience planting by the moon? Any good book recommendations for those of us new to the subject?
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Christmas Greens
It’s that time of the year to put up Christmas, at least outdoors. I like fresh mixed greens and big white lights gracing my little cottage. There’s just something so welcoming about them.
I like big colored lights as well and I think about using them every so often, but when it comes time to decorate I just can’t use anything but white.
I bought my garland last Tuesday, and I soaked in in a garbage can of water (from my rain barrels) for 5 days. I took them out Sunday to dry, but then it rained, so I’m hoping it will be dry enough to put it up today or tomorrow. Oddly enough it was December 3 last year when I put up my garland (I have these great photos of Dexter, helping me, before he was officially ours).
I need to gather everything I’m going to need to get our holiday cheer going. I have grapevine stars and pine cones to go along with the garland and lights. I love the natural look! I don’t have tons of time this year, but I’ll make time to put decorations up outside. I may not get any up inside, but I don’t think I could go without a little outdoor Christmas cheer.
Do you put up lights outside for Christmas?
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Quote of the Day: Ralph Waldo Emmerson
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I found myself in an appreciative mood last night, so I thought this quote was perfect.
What kind of mood do you find yourself in today?
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Never Enough Stuffing
We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with our friends Wednesday. The main dinner was Thursday with my family. This included the local pastured turkey from the farm, sweet potatoes from my mom’s garden, pumpkin pie made with Cinderella pumpkin, local cream and eggs, local corn, beans, potatoes and rolls made with local butter.
My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the stuffing, with lots of onions and celery (from my garden) and lots and lots of sage. This year I made a batch with homemade bread and a batch with store bought crumbs. I make the broth to moisten it with the turkey neck, gizzard and heart, along with some celery, onions, sage, salt and pepper. (I forgot to mention that this year I added diced apples to the stuffing and some cider along with the turkey broth, next year I think I’ll add some walnuts).
Stuffing is my favorite part of Thanksgiving, I could get rid of all other dishes. And none of that stuff from inside the bird, I like mine baked in a casserole dish so it’s moist & gooey on the inside and crispy and caramelized on the outside. I quickly grow tired of all holiday leftovers except stuffing, which seems like there isn’t ever enough.
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
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Gifts for Gardeners 2009 Edition
I’m sure most of you reading this blog are the gardeners in the family. In case you’re not, here are few great gift ideas for those gardeners in your life. Since today is Black Friday, the traditional kick-off for the holiday shopping season, I figured I’d talk about gifts for those gardeners in your life.
For the the gardener that loves houseplants and growing interesting things, how about a dwarf lemon tree from Four Winds Growers? I’m hoping to get one or two of these for Christmas. A Meyer lemon would be perfect as would a Mexican Lime.
A Seed Savers Exchange gift membership would be perfect for those in your life that are trying to focus on heirloom plants. This is a great gift for those activists in your life, even if they’re not gardeners. Seed Savers Exchange is the largest non-governmental seed bank in the United States. They ensure the safety of more than 25,000 endangered vegetable varieties.
How about a collection of seeds from a seed shop that tries to focus on heirloom & non-GMO seeds, like Bountiful Gardens, Freedom Seeds, Victory Seed Company, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Botanical Interests, Renee’s Garden, Wild Garden Seed, Territorial Seed.
Of course I’m going to recommend a pair of Ethel Gloves for that special lady gardener in your life, or for that budding young gardener since they have children’s gloves now.
A mushroom growing kit would be a fabulous gift, especially for that young gardener in your life. I would have loved growing mushrooms as a kid. Most of the big gardening website have them, but I’d buy from a place like Cascadia Mushrooms (which I found on LocalHarvest.org), Peaceful Valley, Territorial Seed, or Mushroom Adventures.
My mushroom kit in effect! courtesy of mtoasty
A membership or a day pass to a local horticultural center or botanical garden would be a fantastic gift for that gardener that has everything. If you live near Kennett Square PA, Longwood Gardens is superb. Here in NE Ohio, Stan Hywet is nice. Most large cities have botanical gardens that would be wonderful to tour throughout the year with a membership.
I can’t go without recommending a Chiot’s Run calendar, it makes a great gift (and not just for gardeners). Many of my friends and family will be getting one.
I won’t be leaving the house today, I don’t like the crowds and most of my gifts are homemade. I will browse a few on-line sales> to see if anything I’ve been looking for is on sale.
Do you have any great recommendations for gifts you’d like to receive or that you’re getting for those gardeners in your life?
