Friday

gardening ~

I'm daydreaming of spring and getting into the garden.  I know we have a few months to go ~ but it's never too late to start planning.


This is how big the garden was a few years ago ~ when we gardened by our friend John.  We've gone a LOT smaller ...


Now our garden is over at the farm ~ by my Mom's place... just a trail through the woods to get there.   It's too shady by our house, as we sit right in the middle of the woods.  It works out good for us having the garden closer - and smaller :)  It also works out great for my Mom and brother Eric as we all work together and enjoy the harvest together too.

Although it's too shady by our house for a vegetable garden there is a new garden that is going in this year.  It's our mushroom garden.

Here's what we'll be planting our first year with the mushrooms ~ I placed my order last week and the spawn delivery is set for the middle of April.  We'll be growing: 

(images from the internet)
~ Wine Caps ~


~ Blue Dolphin Oyster Mushrooms ~


~ PoHu Oysters ~

and ... 
~ Miss Happiness Shiitake Mushrooms ~


We will still be out in the woods though mushroom hunting for the Honey Mushrooms and the Puffballs and occasional oysters.    Maybe others will be "less afraid" to eat our mushrooms if they know they have been grown from "store bought" sources.

Also ~ every year we try out something new in the vegetables.  Last year it was the Bok Choi Chinese Cabbage which we had wonderful results with.  It's on the list again for this year.

The newbie (for us) this year will be the Cheddar Cauliflower:


Our friend grew some last year and had great results with it.  We loved the mild flavor of it and isn't it pretty?  It looks like it's already has been dipped in cheddar cheese!

So ... I've been scouring the seed catalogs.  Making lists and placing orders.  As soon as it's time to plant ... I'll be ready!

Also...
Do you buy in bulk?  I do ~ came across some chicken breast ...

Aren't they beauties!!  They're huge. Each one weighs around 14oz. a half breast!  And the cost ~ around $1.00 a piece!!!  It pays to shop around and buy in bulk :)  Oh I just love it when I have meat and veggies in the freezer, and my canning shelves are filled with good wholesome foods that I know where they came from.

Next week we'll be making side pork and smoking our homemade bacon :)

Please snow ... go away ... I'm ready to get into the dirt.

Until next time ...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel

11 comments:

  1. Hello Friend, I am longing for spring. I cannot wait to start planting veggies and flowers. We got 10 more inches of snow today. Is it difficult to grow mushrooms? That chicken was a great buy. We also by in bulk too feeding 6 everyday is tough sometimes. Blessings, Anna

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  2. I didn't need to see photos of nice fresh dirt! Oh someday.

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  3. We can be optimistic about spring, can't we? The mushrooms are intriguing.

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  4. I like mushrooms but don't know a thing about them. I see toadstools in the cow pens.

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  5. I am not a gardener, but you make me want to grow something. Shirl has our family green thumb, I kill most I plant. She says I love it to death. LOL
    That cheddar (?) is a beauty. Not sure about that mushroom called Shiittsomething, though. LOL

    I am so proud of someone who can go into the woods and bring back a mushroom they are not afraid to eat. I would never try it. I am sure city folk like me would appreciate something you have grown from (?) what ever you grow mushrooms from. LOL
    Love you girl. Dem breasts (of chicken) do look good.

    ((HUGS)) hope you see spring soon.
    Love to the Slim man!!

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  6. i literally can't wait for spring to get here!! AND for my daffs to bloom and for the garden to thaw. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  7. I've been garden-dreaming too. But, did you look outside? It's snowing again, sister. Wow on the Cheddar Cauliflower. I will be trying the kale this year. Nice breasts!
    BlessYaKidSis

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  8. You can Never have too many chicken breast! What a deal Girl!
    Love what you're going to plant...
    Enjoy the day!
    hughugs

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  9. Thanks for the reminder, I've got to go through my seeds and see what I need to order.
    'love & hugs from afar'

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  10. We our boys with their teenage appetites left home we cut back veggie gardening also. But I'm looking forward to spring and my flower gardens. And morel hunting...:)

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  11. What pretty mushrooms. And I'm with you on buying in bulk! Love the looks of your garden too.

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