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