My Growing Garden: Another Follow-Up

June 19th, 2009 - posted under: The Farm » Flora

  A month ago today, I shared a little update on the progress of my beloved baby veggies. I was looking over that post last night, and I just can’t believe how much has changed so fast! 30 days later, it’s a totally different picture.   My heirloom beets and barely-sprouted carrots, mid-May.   The big [...]

My Growing Garden: Potato Tire Project

June 18th, 2009 - posted under: The Farm » Flora

^^^  Way back in springtime, I planted some potatoes. It’s a simple strategy: as the foliage grows, more tires and dirt are added to the stack. This converts stem into root and produces more potatoes, as the leaves continue clamoring skyward. This intensive small-space system is supposed to yield 25-30 pounds of potatoes. I planted [...]

An Introduction To Container Gardening

June 10th, 2009 - posted under: The Farm » Flora

The Essentials: Cilantro // Mint // Thyme // Oregano   Living in a tall, small-footprint townhouse, I’m always aiming to boost my usable ‘acreage’. The front steps and side run host flowers and berries, the backyard is ruled by animals and vegetables, and the second floor deck – directly off the kitchen – is the [...]

My Growing Garden: A Few Follow-Ups

May 18th, 2009 - posted under: The Farm » Flora

Spring is in full swing here in Portland, and I am ever the impatient gardener. Sometimes it seems like it’s taking forever to get things going, like nothing I’ve planted is growing.  I have to remind myself that it’s only just mid-May.  Some US regions are still awaiting the last frost, and some people just [...]

On Gardening, and the Never Ending Efficacy of Twine

April 30th, 2009 - posted under: The Farm » Flora

    I planted a patch of snow peas a few months back, and the little buggers are finally starting to take off.  But peas and beans are curious climbers.  They need a sturdy lattice with lots of levels to keep them entertained, lest they shrivel up in the dirt and die of boredom.  So [...]