Baby Steps

I'm coming closer to having my garden going. I'm awaiting the appearance of first green of my tomato and pepper seedlings. Two variety of tomatoes, cherry and beefsteak. There is also two variety of pepper seedlings, bell and jalapeno. I also have planted basil, chives, and parsley, which I can't wait to use for everyday cooking. I love cooking with fresh herbs, it just makes everything taste so much fuller. When I lived in Ward, AR I had a pretty extensive herb garden, but they did not do well with the move, so I've only grown basil and lemon balm for the past few years.

Yesterday I splurged and bought some starter plants. I now have a yellow pear heriloom tomatoes, crooked neck squash, cucumbers, and banana peppers. I'm so excited about these! Next year I will get a head start and hopefully grow a few of these from seeds also. I have been reading how to harvest and preserve seeds, so I think I will be on top of things. Just waiting on the arrival of the repurposed containers my mom has collected for me and I can start properly.

I spend way too much time online, reading about natural prevention of hornworms and the like. Growing organic is hard work, but I think the rewards of not worrying about what I am introducing to my body and enviroment are worth the work. I am not a first time gardener, but this is my first completely organic garden. I find that when I go to do anything with this garden, I have to go research first, because a lot of the old ways I used will not work here. Some of the things I learned growing up still apply. Marigolds are still a good natural deterent for pest and make great companion plants for tomatoes. Manure is still the best plant food, other than compose. I just have to find a good supplier. I've also been told to look into tabacco as a natural pesticide, but after a little research, I'm not so certain this is something I want in my garden. I'll keep researching.

I've been collecting great receipes for canning. The one thing I really want to find a great recipe for is pear chow chow. Growing up, we used to get this wonderful chow chow from my step dad's friend. I don't know if I can obtain that recipe, but I'm sure going to try. To date I have not found anything near close to it, so all others pale in comparison. Yes, it was THAT good! I also want to put up some yummy salsa and maybe some chuttney. Of course I will can tomatoes and peppers. I'm not going to get too ambitious this year, but I hope to do a lot more next year. Gotta get started collecting those used mason jars. If you have some to get rid of, pass them my way.

A friend of mine suggested I don't quite look the part of farmer, so in my thrift shopping I am looking for the perfect straw hat. Surely that will signal to others that I'm a 'serious' farmer. ;) Personally I think the sweat that rolled off me yesterday morning as I was planting my seeds sould surfice. Of course I wasn't outside planting them, but inside in my kitchen, and I was sitting on a stool, but still, it was the sweat of hard work and I think that should count for something. I did remember how soothing working with soil and plants can be, so I can't wait to transfer my plants outside. But first, I need some really good sun screen before I turn into one huge freckle.

Until next time, find a way to bring parts of your life back to the basics. You'll find that sometimes the old ways were really the best ways.