Last nights pot roast was delicious. Flavorful carrots immersed in juices, carrots that were from my garden. More then veggies just tossed into a pot. They represented exactly what we all should be doing, creating sustainable living.
Our planet is dieing. The United States, the biggest offender of global warming, seemingly doesn’t understand. But we are no longer powered by government, but by major cooperations. Wealth in our country represents happiness, but amazingly studies have shown this to be incorrect. Our grandparents and parents it seems, were happier. Families concerns with putting food on the table have statistically been proven to be happier then those now attempting to keep up with the Jones. It started slowly, catapulting into where we are now, disaster. In the throes of Global warming, allowing our planet to die.
Sustainable living begins at home. Recycling, buying less plastic, and learning to reuse.
Using up our own resources while moving on to other countries is an injustice to our entire planet.
My point? Lisa’s attempts as to the savings she will be reap in her own garden aren’t measurable on paper. Sustainable living, changing the way we all think and leading by example!

I’ve been spending more time outside in the garden than inside writing about the garden. I rather like those odds. For my birthday I received a new gardening tool that requires a mention here. I’ve had the short handled version of this little gem for about 5 years. I knew there was a long handled version when I purchased the little one, but became so enthralled in my little Ho-Mi that I forgot about the long one. I’ve been stooping to weed for years and now my aging back is not happy about it. I did some searching (ok, more like leafing through the Lee Valley Tools catalog) and recalled that there is a long handled version of my Ho-Mi.

I love my short handled Ho-Mi. Now I love my long handled Ho-Mi too. I would almost say even more.

I received the long handled version for my birthday. My husband took me to Portland Nursery and let me select between the Ho-Mi and another long handled cultivator. I of course selected the (less expensive) Ho-Mi.

The handle is quite long for a normal cultivator. Measuring at 5′ long even my tall husband can use it. It is perfect for my 5′4″ frame. The blade is curved and pointed to really get into the ground. I wanted it to help with the digging out of stubborn grass in my flower beds. It used to take me hours to yank out the grass in small clumps with the short handled Ho-Mi. Now I get better leverage and do the work in half the time.

There are a few downfalls to this particular tool. Like the short handled version there is a learning curve. My husband prefers his pronged weeder to my short Ho-Mi because he can’t figure out how to use it. I am having a bit of trouble with the long Ho-Mi. You have to hold it so it is most comfortable and also at such an angle that the point actually digs into the soil. If it is tilted just so it is ineffective. Once you get the hang of it the tool is great. I just happen to be a little slow some days.

Overall, I love the tool. It makes short work of the weeds and grass in big areas. I use the short tool for smaller areas and around trees and shrubs. I highly recommend this tool to anyone.

As any organic gardener can attest to, the greatest challenge is controlling pests that dine on your delectable plantings. Mine have not escaped the wrath of slugs but the damage has been contained to certain sections of my garden. Amazingly, my lettuce has escaped any damage as have my peas. My blue lake bush beans haven’t fared as well but as the season progresses it looks like they too will survive. Yay! What have I reaped so far? Tons of radishes, so many so I’ve decided not to bother with this particular crop again. Lettuce, baby carrots, bok choy, (shared some with the slugs) and rhubarb. My peas are 6 feet tall now and my Heirloom tomatoes are budding with flowers. This first time venture in square foot gardening has made me very aware of how crucial it is to pay attention to placement of plants. Those beautiful peas can create a beautiful shade garden, something of which vegetables seem to have a disdain for. So… I shall learn from my mistakes and enjoy that which has been providing me with fresh vegetables grown with love.

Being the novice gardener has some uplifting advantages. If one fails to reap what they sow, there is always an excuse. “Oops.” Unfortunately my sense of direction is horrific, getting lost a common occurrence. Hence my problem. Planting my peas and bean on the south side, shading what is yet to be planted on the north. Transplanting now required, generating work of which wasn’t in the plan.
However, failing in one area doesn’t diminish the pride one feels as the seeds begin to germinate. Admittedly I’m on my hands and knees, beaming (everyday) as tiny little sprouts emerge. Who knows??? I may become quite prolific and take up canning. (What am I saying?)

Let me just start by saying if you want to do something right, research… research… research. With a husband whom works long hours and myself on daily screw up your life shifts, it’s tough. What happens with this combination is called skimming. DON’T do it!
Using the book Square Foot Gardening our adventure begins. This is our first truly organic garden and I wanted it done right. Lets start with our mistakes…
1. made raised box 8′ by 12′. (Much too big)
2. used treated wood for durability (Toxic)
So we begin again… ending up with two 5′ by 8′ boxes, untreated wood and a very pooped husband. Thankfully he’s a good sport. Filled with fresh organic soil and some SoundGRO for fertilizer, we’re off on the hunt for organic seeds. Yep, if I’m growing organic, I’m going all the way. Our local nursery in Olympia, Bark And Garden offered a variety but still not as accommodating as the non organic varieties. Oh well, I’m sticking to the plan. Planted yesterday and today I awoke with fingers crossed. Oh well… if I fail there’s always a garden close by to rob… “Oh, Hi Lisa.”