Garden Archives - Page 2 of 3

The Buzz on Bees

September 23, 2014 by theblogbloom.com 17 Comments

The last few days have been great for window down driving.

Driving the country roads with the sun shining, but not blaring down with lots of heat, the leaves on the verge of changing, and the scent in the air that is quintessential of the change from summer to fall makes my soul happy. It also doesn’t hurt to have Taylor Swift’s super catchy and happiness inducing “Shake It Off” coming through the radio.

Maybe that’s just me…

However, thanks to my lower car windows and the time of year, I have found myself in the company of bees while in the drivers seat.

I am not afraid of bees because, basically living at the neighborhood pool as a kid, I have been stung enough to know it’s not a big deal. But, I can’t help but get a little jumpy when they get that close in a tight space.

Actually, I love bees.

Bee’s are awesome because they make my garden beautiful and full of produce.

Bees are actually a major part of the success of any garden as they are incredibly efficient pollinators.

While on the hunt for nectar, bees pick up pollen and transfer it to female plants as they fly from one flower to another making plants stronger.

But bees aren’t just important for backyard gardens; they play a vital role in our entire food system. One third of the food consumed across the planet relies on pollination from bees.

But, in recent years, the bee population has been on the decline and colonies have been collapsing. There is a debate to why the world is seeing fewer bees because there has not been any scientific evidence for one way or another.

Some experts claim environmental factors, like the destruction of bees natural habits, is to blame. Others wonder if the use of pesticides has effected them. There is talk about a parasite that bees may have contracted and some wonder about global warming or the state of our water.

All bad. But, a world without bees would be even worse. A world without bees would lead to massive malnutrition and major economic hardships. Farmers and food corporations would lose their jobs and the cost of food would go way up.

One of the easiest ways to help bees help you in your vegetable garden is designate some garden beds for flowers.

But, not just any flowers. The best flowers to plant to drive bees to your garden are wide, similar to a daisy shaped flowers. This year I planted zinnia’s and dahlia’s and they have not only worked great, but also look really nice.

I planted a large amount of flower seeds in the garden bed designated for flowers because bees are creatures of habit and they will return to a high yielding and rewarding flower bed. Our garden beds are eight feet by three feet and the bees have been loving it.

Other things you can do to help bees in your area is promote your local bee keeper by purchasing his products or, something that is on my 5 year garden plan radar- start your own hive!

Butterflies are also great pollinators and they look pretty too!

The Last of The Zucchini

September 12, 2014 by theblogbloom.com 1 Comment

I ripped out the zucchini plants a couple weeks ago.

I won’t lie, I wasn’t even sad about it.

In fact, it felt pretty good.

Don’t get me wrong. I love, love, love zucchini.

I love how easy it is to grow and how quickly it grows. I love how I can use it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, as a side dish or dessert. I can cook zucchini on the grill, in a skillet, eat it raw, bake it, whatever! I love that it freezes really well and I can enjoy them throughout the winter. I love the different flavors like lemon, red pepper flakes, parmesan or dill that I can add to zucchini to give it dimension.

See? There’s lots to love about zucchini.

But there’s just this one little thing… by September, I am kind of sick of zucchini.

Yes, they grow fast, but they produce A LOT of zucchini for A LONG time.

There comes a point (… say, two weeks ago) when I am just simply over it.

I can’t possibly run another zucc over the grater for baked goods. The thought of zucchini with dinner makes me so not excited for dinner… which is weird as every fifth thought in my head is about what I am going to be eating next. I don’t even want to look at the plant in the garden for fear of seeing a zucchini ready to be picked. And, if I do look at the plant and a zucchini is ready for harvest, it will likely be given to the chickens.

A normal mid-summer sight on my counter top.

So, while the zucchini plants have now made way for some fast growing fall crops like radishes and arugula, their memory lives on in my freezer. I have gallon bag after gallon bag full of grated zucchini in 1/2 cup portions for baking, long slices for zucchini lasagna and grilling (grilling in the snow is actually fun… and makes you tough), and little disks that are great for sautéing.

The freezer is crazy stocked with zucchini, corn, peas, beans, and cherry tomatoes.

And that last zucchini I picked didn’t go to the chickens. I embraced it as the final one and the end of a great season by creating these cute little mini muffins.

I try to make easy grab and go breakfast for Adam, especially this time of year. His days are long thanks to gearing up for harvest so a little sustenance first thing in the morning is good for him. These zucchini mini muffins fit the bill. He can grab a handful and pop them on his way to the office. They are also perfect for a kids lunch box or you could amp them up with some flax seed for an added boost of nutrition.

Zucchini Mini Muffins

2014-09-11 14:05:32

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Ingredients

6 ounces of all purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground allspice
2/3 cup shredded zucchini (I use the grater tool on my mandolin. You could also use a cheese grater.)
3 TBS canola or vegetable oil
2 TSB butter, melted
2 TBS milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg, slightly beaten
Cooking Spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray mini muffin sheet.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
In a different, large mixing bowl combine wet ingredients with the zucchini. When combined, stir in dry ingredients.
Portion into mini muffin tin.
Bake for 10 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean of the center of a muffin.

Notes

If you wanted to sub flax seed for butter, do it with a 3 to 1 ratio. So, 3 TBS of flax seed for each TBS of butter.

Bloom. https://www.theblogbloom.com/

Super Kale

August 25, 2014 by theblogbloom.com 7 Comments

Since graduating in 2009, I have made a career in the food and beverage industry. And, in those five short years, the industry has seen a lot of trends come and go.

Cupcakes.

Food Trucks.

Craft Beer.

Bacon… anything.

Food trends are a fact of life. There will always be something that’s “hot.” So, restaurant’s are always working hard to stay ahead of the trend and discover the best way to style up classics like PB&J or to create the craziest hybrid treat. Cronuts, anyone?

But restaurants are very different from my side of the industry. Restaurant’s offer single experiences. I have always worked with cafeterias and personal chefs, the realm of the industry that focuses on everyday consumption.

Here, we encounter food trends, but they tend to be more nutrition based. In this part of the industry, we are providing our clients with their daily nutrients which is a little more personal than a one-time special occasion. Because of this, our clients are vocal about their wants.

Which is awesome. I love feedback from customers. But the strongest “trend” I have experienced in this side of the food and beverage industry is the Elimination Diet.

An Elimination Diet is when someone cuts something out of their diet. They are recommended by doctors to help determine allergies or food sensitivities, but some claim (… commonly celebrities) that they are a fast and easy way to loose weight.

You have heard of them. No sugar. No carbs. No dairy. No gluten. No corn. No solid food. No meat. No nuts.

This bothers me.

Here’s the deal, and no, I am not an RD, but so long as you don’t have a medical reason not to eat something I don’t think it’s a great idea to totally eliminate it from your diet.

Besides the facts that your friends (and next waitress) might be really annoyed with you hopping from one “non this” to the next “non that” diet and that you are more likely to slip up if you go totally cold turkey, it actually might not be good for you.

Carb free dieters are prone to constipation.

Getting rid of dairy in your diet can leave you at risk for osteoporosis or lower bone density later in life.

Going gluten free when not diagnosed with Celiac can actually wreck even more havoc on your digestive track and have you running to the bathroom often.

Elimination diets also often lead to “Yo-Yo-ing” (because they don’t last), causing emotional and physical stress and messing up a body’s fat to muscle ratio. Some also say the fluxing in body weight can make it easier to gain weight moving forward.

So, if you can eat anything you want count your lucky stars because there are many people that can’t for a host of medical reasons. (And, because carbs and cheese are delish.) Just practice moderation.

I often think that it would be awesome for the next food trend to be “What you SHOULD eat” not what you shouldn’t. Which is why I am a fan of the growing term, “Super Food.”

It helps people know more about nutrient dense foods that are really good for them. Because the term is so hot, it has brought these foods forefront and made them easily accessible.

And, if I had to name the hottest of the Super Foods I would have to go with kale. Kale is big. And it’s Super Food title is well earned. It’s full of vitamins, nutrients and anti-cancer causing properties.

What is undeserved is kale’s a pretty lousy reputation taste wise.

People complain of kale being bitter, which it can be raw if you don’t massage the leaves before eating them. I love to sauté the garden’s kale and this recipe is so easy but packed with a lot of my favorite flavors.

Sauteed Kale

2014-08-25 10:12:54

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon, plus one teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
1 pound kale, ribs removed, chopped
1/2 cup water
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 teaspoon red wine vinegar
salt

Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet or dutch oven over medium heat.
Add kale and cook, tossing until bright green, about one minute.
Add water and reduce heat to medium low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally until kale is tender. About 13 minutes.
Push kale to one side of the pan, add remaining teaspoon of oil to the empty side and cook garlic and crushed read pepper about 30 seconds.
Stir to combine and remove from heat.
Stir in vinegar and salt.
Serve right away.

Bloom. https://www.theblogbloom.com/

Kale does so well in gardens throughout the fall. It will actually taste sweeter after frost. If you want kale in your fall garden, this week is a great time to get it started.

Kale in the garden.

What’s In the Garden: 2014

June 10, 2014 by theblogbloom.com Leave a Comment

One of my first blog posts last spring just listed what was in our 2013 garden. I looked back at that post often when planning this summer’s garden.

Another great tool when designing this year’s garden was Mother Earth News Vegetable Garden Planner. It is a minimal yearly charge (Neither Adam or I could remember… maybe ten bucks?), but it keeps track of where plants were each year and will really help us in crop rotation.

What our garden looks like on the garden planner.

It was super easy to use and kind of reminded me of playing The Sims. (Where are my late 90 kids at?!)

There are many different features that we still haven’t explored on the Garden Planner, but if it’s your first year gardening it may not be a bad thing for you to start too.

The garden planner was also a big help because this summer’s garden is three times the size as last year’s.

We have some weeding to do, but it has been super wet in Indiana.

Yes… Adam and I understand that we are boarder line insane.

Here is what we have growing:

Strawberries: We planted the strawberry plants last year but knew we wouldn’t have any berries to show for it. Strawberry plants need a season before they really begin to produce a lot of fruit. This year we have a ton of strawberries! They are amazing. They have a great flavor and size. There will be more posts this week about our many strawberries.

Strawberries

Asparagus: We planted the roots this spring. They have just begun to pop up. Asparagus takes about three seasons before it matures and is ready to harvest.

Garlic: We planted 100 blubs last fall and after the very cold winter, we only had about ten make it. They will be ready in late summer. I am excited because I feel like I use garlic all the time when cooking. And, let’s be real, garlic is so good.

Garlic

Brussels sprouts: This is something new we are trying. I love to cook Brussels sprouts. The plants are looking pretty good!

Brussels Sprouts

Zucchini: Super easy to grow and a staple for any summer garden. We have finished almost all of the zucchini I froze last summer so we will be ready for some replacements soon. Last year we grew yellow summer squash in addition to zucchini, but decided not to grow it this year.

Zucchini

Okra: These poor plants don’t look so great. It’s an experiment. I have not cooked with okra often either, so if they don’t work out we will survive.

Horseradish: Another plant that is an experiment. I am hoping it works out so we can make our own cocktail sauce!

Kale: A few heads were started from seedlings and they look good. A few more were planted right into the ground and are growing as well. I am excited to have kale for smoothies and salads.

Lettuce: We have many different kinds growing from mixes to Caesar heads, Mustard Greens Spinach and Arugula. Tonight we tried the arugula and mustard greens. Both were great. They both had a great little spicy kick. They will be awesome for adding dimensions to salads and sandwiches. It is seriously the best to have lettuce straight from the garden. Seriously.

Mustard Greens

Broccoli: These plants are still pretty small, but look okay. Broccoli from the backyard is typically smaller than what you see at the store. Broccoli is such a great veggie. I love to steam it and dress it with vinegar.

Broccoli a couple weeks ago

Cabbage: We had awful luck with cabbage last summer. They became infested with so many loopers and just were ruined. Here’s to better luck this year!

Cucumbers: I managed to kill the seedlings we had growing. They looked awful for weeks and I couldn’t understand what was going on and then Adam figured it out. I was using the tap water from the kitchen sink to water the seedlings. This sink is hooked up to the water softener so I was adding salt to the plants refreshments. The salt was building up in their stems preventing water and nutrients from getting to the plant. All the other plants were able to rebound after being put into the ground, but the cucumbers didn’t make it. I purchased starter plants from a woman who also sells turkeys, chickens and flowers out of her front yard on a nearby state road I drive on often for work.

Peas: These were one of my favorite last year. They are a great little snack and froze really well so we could add them to stir fry’s throughout the winter.

Green Beans: We planted a lot more than we did last year, but only about half of the beans look like they are doing well. Green Beans are planted directly into soil and it looks like the other half just never sprouted.

Green Beans

Peppers: We have green peppers and jalapenos. These are great for summer salads and salsas.

Beets: It’s our first time trying to grow beets and it’s hard to tell how they are doing because much of the activity goes on underground. Beets are great because they store well and I use them a lot.

Carrots: Another root vegetable that was planted right into the ground and hard to tell how they are doing so far. Carrots were probably my favorite thing from the garden last year. The taste difference between a fresh garden carrot and a bagged baby carrot is a world apart.

Spaghetti Squash: New to the garden this year! And, I can’t wait. Adam loves spaghetti squash. (Yes, Adam…!) We have cooked spaghetti squash many different ways, but it is just perfect with a little butter and S&P.

Spaghetti Squash

Radish: Another newbie and they are looking good.

Tomatoes: There are twenty two tomato plants gracing the garden this year with everything from cherry, beefsteak, grape, romas, etc, etc! I am really looking forward to canning. Adam’s Bloody Mary mix already has a waiting list.

Herbs in the Garden and in pots:

Basil… Duh. My fave.

Basil

Mint
Chives
Sage: New this year! I am excited! And, it looks great!
Thyme
Cilantro

Cilantro

Rosemary
Parsley

Parsley

Oregano
Dill

Bonus! A little Fun Fact: I recently read that one in three America household’s are growing food. Amazing, right?! Love stats like that!

What do you have growing this year?

Gardener’s Know The Best Dirt

June 5, 2014 by theblogbloom.com 8 Comments

Here’s a little piece of hot gossip:

Most of us have less than perfect soil in our gardens.

And let’s be real, soil is kind of on the D-List when it comes to stars of the garden.

But, it’s strong soil that is the foundation that leads to those A-List August Tomatoes.

Good garden soil is made up of:

Minerals
Organic Matter
Life

The darker the better.

Many different combinations of these three things contribute to the soil’s texture, structure and vitality for your plants with the help of air and water.

Minerals depend on the soil you have. Soil is essentially a bunch of small particles created by broken down rocks. Sandy Soil has large particles so it does not compact easily but it does provide great drainage. Silt is composed of medium particles. You have a good start if you have silt. Clay has much smaller particles that pack easily making it hard for water and air to move through the soil.

Organic Matter is made up of decaying grasses, leaves, and manure. The organic matter helps to enrich the soil and will provide food to the living elements. The living elements in soil are bugs like earth worms. These bugs move around in the soil to help air and water flow through.

We have clay soil in our yard. We can see it every time we get a good rain because the water sits on top of the ground.

Our backyard after a May rain storm. Grass is growing now… woo!

In order to improve our clay soil for the garden beds, we tilled up the existing clay soil and added some of compost we created over the last eight months using grass, left over vegetable scraps and some earth worms. We also added composted horse manure that Adam got from local horse barn. Our goal was to loosen the clay soil so that water and air could penetrate the dirt. As well as the roots of our vegetables.

Any kind of soil you have, be it sandy, silt or clay, compost is key.

We added compost that we purchased at a garden store last summer and this summer our big focus with the new garden beds was the composted horse manure. We will have to add compost to our garden beds every year for at least the next decade (not an exaggeration) to combat the hard, clay soil.

You can make your own compost, but can also find it at garden or home improvement stores.

In addition to the vegetables in the garden beds, I also have herbs growing in pots on the patio. I like having my herbs closer to the kitchen. I used potting soil for the herb’s pots.

Potting soil isn’t actually soil; its main ingredients are peat moss, composted materials, and perlite. Potting soils from a home improvement store or nursery are typically sterilized to prevent the growth of weeds and diseases. It also is designed to hold the right amount of moisture and let excess drain easily.

If you are growing plants in containers be sure to use either soil that you created using dirt and compost or potting soil. Garden soil and topsoil are often confused to be good for container gardening but in reality they are intended to be mixed with actual dirt. If they are used in a container they may retain too much moisture and rot the roots of your plants.

With all your hands on work and attention to create good dirt, your plants will be on the fast track to stardom.

When It Rains It Pours

May 23, 2014 by theblogbloom.com Leave a Comment

Somewhere there is some Garden God laughing.

“Haha, Claire,” he is saying with an evil chuckle, “Start writing about your garden… and I will go and really mess it all up.”

This is currently what I am dealing with.

It all began about two weeks ago…

Adam and I knew we were being ambitious.

We had big plans for the garden, but we also had the rest of the yard to think about. We moved into our newly built house in early 2013. Landscaping is the goal for this summer.

And, for the record, landscaping is a lot of work.

Scratch that.

Just getting grass planted and growing is a lot of work.

We spent much of Mother’s Day weekend spraying the bazillion weeds that had crept up and then tilling the yard up.

The house sits on five acres. This was a big undertaking.

Adam sat on a tiller for a total of sixteen hours. (And got an amazing farmers tan in the process.) During this we also tilled up the entire garden including the new garden beds. We have gone from last years eight to twenty four.

Twenty. Four.

While Adam was on the tiller, I went out to last years garden beds to weed and remove all the straw we laid last fall to cover the garlic and strawberry plants.

The strawberries looked pretty good. They were full of weeds, but were flowering and look like we will have a good amount of berries in the next few weeks.

However, of the one hundred garlic cloves we planted last fall we have about ten that made it through the brutally cold winter.

I am bummed.

We use garlic so often. I was looking forward to having bulbs straight from our backyard.

The silver lining is that I don’t have to thin the bulbs out.

So, there is that.

And, then…

Last week, I set the seedlings outside on an afternoon that was sunny and warm to help harden them off. Hardening off seedlings helps them to build a resistance and strength against small rainstorms and wind.

I wasn’t prepared for the element that would wreck havoc my tomato and pepper plants on that nice afternoon.

My dear darling chickens decided that the small seedlings looked like a good snack while I worked in my office just inside.

… We nearly had Free Range Indiana Hen for dinner that night.

I was not pleased.

I transferred the partically chewed tomatoes to new flats with new soil and, now, ten days later they are looking a bit better.

I just don’t know how many times I am going to have to save these tomatoes.

And, then… last week it rained.

It rained a lot.

So the plants didn’t see sunlight for a while and the ground was soaked.

We couldn’t work compost into the dirt. We couldn’t get the plants out of the flats and into the ground. We couldn’t even walk through the backyard to the garden without sinking.

The ground is still muddy.

And the plants are still in the flats.

The goal is to get the plants into the ground today after work.

I keep telling myself, “They aren’t dead until they are dead!”

But, they look pathetic.

I can’t help be think they are longing for leg room.

And, in the back of my mind I am wondering if they really are too far gone.

I may be chalking last years sucessful garden to beginners luck and purchasing plants to get things going.

I guess that’s how things go sometimes.

May Sarton

Hope your gardens are looking much better than mine!

Love ‘Em to Death

May 1, 2014 by theblogbloom.com 2 Comments

Last week Adam and I transplanted the seedlings from their starter kits to larger flats. The seedling’s love the extra leg room and are beginning to look like plants.

Zucchini, Cucumbers and Kale… getting big!

While we were transplanting the seedling’s I noticed that the tomato plants didn’t look so great. They didn’t have a good green color. They looked… purple.

As I pulled the flat closer to me I realized it was kind of heavy and with further investigation I found that the plants were sitting in about a half inch of water.

Water is important for plants, but these guys were saturated.

We found that the cause was from Adam and me both watering them each day. I had been traveling for work so Adam thought I wasn’t able to get to it. We didn’t talk about it. One thing led to another… and the seedlings were over watered.

Yes. Like I just said, watering your plants is important. And necessary. But, there’s a fine line.

Over watering is actually worse than under watering. Over watering prevents a plant from obtaining nutrients and oxygen to develop their roots.

You would think that the more attention you give your plants, the better they would do.

But, that’s not the case.

You can actually love your plants to death.

Fortunately, with the tomato plants, we found it early and acted quickly. We put them into new flats with new soil. The tomatoes are looking much better and my mind is running wild with images of all the caprese salads that will grace my table come August.

Tomato plants looking better and getting adult leaves.

I have fallen victim to loving a plant to complete death before. I bought a rosemary plant and thought it would be so cute to grow on my kitchen island in a large, rustic coffee mug. I didn’t know rosemary needs to be in pot that drains water well.

My coffee mug did not do the job.

The old water sat in the bottom of the mug causing the root to rot which prevented water and nutrients getting to the plant. What happened is that it looked like it was dry and I kept watering it. Soon, the plant was dead.

I now have a rosemary plant in a Terra cotta pot that I water when the soil dries out and it is doing great.

Much better!

Here are a few other watering tips:

– Gardens typically need about an inch of rain each week. But, like a healthy diet, everything in moderation. One inch in twenty minutes isn’t great for a plant. Keep an eye on the weather and supplement as needed.
– If the weather gets particularly hot and dry, you may need to water more. And, if it’s cool it may not need as much.
– Water plants in the morning. This ensures that water dries off, instead of staying on the plant all through the night making it susceptible to fungus and bacteria. And, if you water them in the middle of the day, the water might evaporate before it’s absorbed by the plant.
– Provide water directly to plants roots versus spraying all over.
– Get a sprayer head that is designed for gardens. It will ensure the rate of the spray isn’t too strong and some are designed to make it easy to reach in-between plants.

Love your plants.

… Just not to death.

Becoming a Farm Girl: Part Three

March 31, 2014 by theblogbloom.com 4 Comments

Note: This is the final post in a three part series to celebrate National Agriculture Day that will show my (non-traditional) journey to Agriculture. My hope with this story is to shed light on the many different faces of a “farmer” and how those who are not born into family farms can still learn, celebrate, find careers and purpose in this important industry.

Becoming a Farm Girl: Part One
Becoming a Farm Girl: Part Two

Adam and I had a blast together at the fraternity dance and continued to see each other.

It didn’t take me long to see that he was completely different from all of the other guys I had ever dated.

And, it wasn’t just because he drove a big, diesel truck you could hear coming down the road causing all the girls in my sorority to yell “Bye Claire!” before he would pick me up for a date.

He was a good friend. He made me a priority. He was motivated and intelligent. He was a leader on campus.

And, he had a job lined up after graduation… in Indianapolis.

At another one Adam’s fraternity’s formals as we approached graduation.

The more I learned about him, the more I loved and I began to redefine my job search. By Valentine’s Day, I had a job offer of my own in Indianapolis.

Flash forward three years, Adam had returned to his small hometown to work with his dad at their family agriculture construction business and, after our May 2011 wedding, I joined him.

May 21, 2011.

A hospitality job was hard to come by in the small town, so when a local school reached out because they were looking for a food and nutrition director, I took the job.

It was a great school, but it was by no means my “dream” job. I often felt confined by the rules and regulations in the world of school lunch and my culinary creativity was pretty stifled within the medium of chicken nuggets.

I spent a lot of time trying to make my day to day more stimulating.

After getting to know some of the students, I wanted to do more to make students feel engaged and excited about lunch. I began to look around at the many school lunch websites and blogs to see what other directors across the nation were doing to enhance their school lunch programs. One program that really caught my eye was Farm to School.

Farm to School is a program that connects school lunch programs to local farmers and provides education opportunities, such as school gardens and field trips. Programs were strong in states like California and Texas.

I loved the idea. After all that I had learned about farming and where food comes from in my college years and summer internship, I thought it was a great thing to teach kids, especially those who grew up like me. I wanted to teach them there is no stereotypical “farmer” and they can grow food too, be it in their own backyard or as a potential career down the road.

In late 2012 I reached out to the leaders to see what the program was doing in the state of Indiana. I learned that the program was in its early stages of getting off the ground. I asked if I could get involved and was met with an eager “yes.”

I was actually the first food service director involved in the Indiana group full of local growers, Extension officers, leaders in the Nutrition Services of the Department of Education and more. Because of this, I was asked to speak on a panel at the 2013 Horticulture Congress in Indianapolis to introduce local growers to the program and gauge interest.

I even made the cover of AgriNews… which really excited Adam!

The impact this day had on me was amazing. I think it may be the first time in my life that I truly felt inspired.

The panel went great, but what was so exhilarating to me was meeting all the people who grew food and were creating unique products with their food. Their products were fabulous. They had neat stories and passion.

Ironically, the congress was held the same week Adam and I had moved into our new home, set on a large piece of land. When I got home that evening, I told Adam about my great day. I told him that I wanted to learn to grow our own food and that we had to plant a garden.

It didn’t take much convincing: Adam, recalling his childhood dreams of being a farmer, was on board.

In order to get our first garden into the ground last summer we hit the library, talked to some family and friends, and watched a lot of YouTube videos. The amount of information we found was pretty amazing.

But, as the garden grew, we wanted to learn more. We wanted to do more in taking charge of growing food, not just for ourselves, but maybe even for others.

I built relationships with extension office leaders and learned about some free work shops they were hosting to educate the community. In the fall of 2013, I went to a hands-on workshop about composting and an info session about community gardens.

Also, thanks to some of those relationships and my eagerness, I was able to attend a weeklong produce safety training hosted by the USDA. There I learned so much. We received information about how produce is inspected, what certifications, insurance, and handling practices are needed at a farm in order to supply food for sale, how to create urban and community gardens and more.

During the training I also went to an actual farm that is a resource for inner city schools in Baltimore. It introduces students to gardens, food that they might not see at home, raising goats and chickens and teaches them culinary skills. Two young men I met and spoke with were preparing to be the first in their families to graduate high school and hoping to serve in the military… as chefs!

I still have a lot to learn, but these experiences are tools that could potentially help Adam and I create a new business venture down the road. Maybe we will help contribute to a CSA, a Farm to School program, or have a stand at a Farmer’s Market. I have since moved on from K-12 food service and in my new role I work closely with chefs. Maybe we create a company that supplies fresh, local produce directly to chefs. But, then again, maybe I go back to that younger demographic and help them learn how to grow their own food. Who knows!?

And speaking of Adam, he is also learning a lot and making moves to help feed others. He made a connection with a longtime farmer who is now serving as his mentor. Last fall, Adam asked if he could donate his time helping with the harvest. He was looking to learn more about the challenges and realities his clients face. He continued to ask questions and learn as much as he could about working a field of corn.

A Shot Adam took farming last fall.

Thanks to his persistence and excitement, he will be going 50-50 with this farmer on forty acres of land this year. He is beyond excited to get into the field to continue to learn, to play a small part feeding the world, and to fulfill his childhood dream of being a farmer when he grew up.

Adam even asked the farmer, “Why are you letting me farm with you?”

His response “I’ve never met someone who shows so much passion and excitement for farming. It’s hard to find someone willing to work for free just to be involved.”

I know that we wouldn’t have had these opportunities and knowledge if we had not spoken up.

I am a firm believer that what you get out of life, be it opportunities or information, that you can’t work your butt off for, is what you have the guts to ask for.

I would not know what I know about growing food or how others grow food if I had not asked questions and asked to get involved.

I am the girl asking questions at the market. I want to know.

In order to create a successful garden, I reached out to old pros and asked questions.

Adam did the same.

It’s really hard to get into actual farming if you are not born into it.

He was interested. He wanted to learn. So, he asked.

If you want to know about how the produce you see at your farmers market is grown, ask the farmer.

If the farmer at the edge of town raises cattle and you want to know how he treats his cows or who he sells the beef to, ask. You might be surprised. A lot of family farmers sell to corporations like Tyson.

(However, another fun question to ask is if you can buy directly from him. There is nothing better than making a relationship where you can support someone in your local community and get fresh meat for your family.)

A farmer will likely be more than happy to answer any question and help give you a better understanding of their world. They are proud of what they do and they want to clear up any misconceptions that, unfortunately, strike the agriculture industry every day.

If you want to know how to start a garden, do what I did. Reach out to your extension offices, ask questions at the local nursery, or you could even ask me.

I am by no means an expert, but I do have a year of experience under my belt and if I don’t know the answer, at this point, I probably know someone who does.

And, like the farmers, I am proud of what I have learned and accomplished. Not to mention, nothing makes me happier to know that someone is inspired by this blog and wants to start a garden.

… Isn’t it funny?

If you had told me ten years ago that this would be my life and this is what makes me feel like I have a purpose, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Chickens? Dirt? Muck Boots? Puhleease.

I might have even laughed.

But, I have picked up a bit of wisdom since sixteen. And, yes, I still have a lot to learn about life, but one thing I know to be sure is that life takes us all down many different roads.

And if there is anything on those roads that makes you truly fulfilled and alive, you should listen to it.

As a young adult, I honestly have struggled trying to determine what to be when I grow up. I didn’t know what really drove me or what I was passionate about.

Until now.

I love the evenings when I am in the garden with Adam enjoying the sunset and a glass of wine while the hens are roaming nearby.

I can’t help but smile when I have a fabulous conversation with a farmer at the market about the food they grew.

I feel like I have a purpose when a friend texts me saying she wants to grow cilantro, but doesn’t know where to begin.

My heart is so happy when I see Adam thrilled about making his childhood farming dreams come true.

And, never in my life do I feel more completely “Claire” than when I am in my kitchen preparing an amazing meal with fresh ingredients straight from my backyard.

Fresh ingredients that I planted, tended to, and picked with my own hands.

… So, maybe I am a Farm Girl after all.

Go Garden: Starting Seeds

March 25, 2014 by theblogbloom.com 7 Comments

Last night, we started seventeen different seeds.

Things that we will not be starting indoors are items like root vegetables such as carrots, beets and radishes. We saved some lettuces to sow right into the ground as well.

A good rule of thumb is that seeds should be started indoors about six to seven weeks before the last frost. The last chance of frost in my area is May 11 (…Here’s hoping!). So, I am right on track as it’s about six and half weeks out.

Starting seeds is relatively easy. And, garden companies make it even easier.

We use plastic seed starter flats that you can get at any grocery or home improvement store. Some have soil pellets in the containers when you purchase them. We used these last year and I didn’t have any issues or complaints. They were great. But, this year we added natural and organic seed starter soil to our starter flats.

Once soil is in each container in the flat, be sure to water the soil thoroughly before planting. Make sure the soil isn’t too packed or becomes too wet.

Seed companies have really made seeds easy to use. The back of the seed packets have all the basics like when to plant, how deep to plant a seed, if it can grow well in a container or if it needs to be transplanted into the ground and more.

We planted about three to four seeds in each individual container. Once they germinate, we will thin the weaker plants. Sometimes seeds will not germinate, and having more seeds in each individual container will help ensure you get a healthy plant.

Once complete, put plastic lid on the kit and place it in a warm (65-75 degrees) area of your home away from direct sunlight. You do not want to use light until the seeds have germinated.

Check your seeds daily. Make sure soil is moist, but not wet. You should see signs of germination in about 7 to 10 days. Then, you should move the seeds to a heated lamp or sunlight.

Two other little tips I have picked up from my second year of planting seed indoors:
– Make a “Cheat Sheet” to show were everything is. Even once the seedlings begin growing, it will be hard to tell what is what for a while.

– Mark numbers on each side of the starter kit and mark them on your cheat sheet. The kit can get flipped around or backwards. You will want to know if that’s the side with tomatoes or not.

Next time you see these babies there should be some GREEN!

Note: There are many, many other ways to begin seeds. Some people like to reuse recycled yogurt containers. Others, have natural wooden flats that they use year to year. Some make up their own starter soil with compost, worm casings, etc. Do what works best for you. I believe this is the most approachable start for the “Rookie/Novice Gardener.”

Go Garden: Getting Started

March 12, 2014 by theblogbloom.com 1 Comment

The major focus on Bloom in February was “Why Garden?”

We talked money, health, and reducing your impact on the earth and, if I did my job right, you are convinced.

Right…?!

If not, read the money one again.

Okay, all you Garden Believers… This month’s focus will be “Go Garden!”

This works really well because it’s just about time to get plans going for this summer’s garden and to get seeds started.

I like to start my seeds inside because it means I will have vegetables earlier and take full advantage of Indiana’s growing season.

Getting seeds started last spring.

Before you get seeds planted, it’s important to know your area’s last frost date.

For me, it is May 11. (Although, based on today’s snow and cold temps the critic in me says not to hold my breath…)

The USDA’s website has a great tool for finding your last frost date.

Most seeds are ready to transplant into the ground after about six weeks. So, I will be starting seeds indoors within the next few weeks and will be posting about the whole process.

If you want to get growing and follow along with me, here are a few things you should do before we get “dirt”-y!

1. Determine what you want to grow

First year veteran caveat: Start small.

Reasons? Too much too soon can be overwhelming. There’s weeding, pest control, watering, etc. needed for every plant. Not to mention, it can also mean you are swimming in produce before you know it and your good food could go to waste.

Holy Tomatoes.

Note: A solution to too many garden veggies? After annoying your friends and family members to “Pleeeeease take some zucchini” and/or ding dong ditching your neighbors leaving behind baskets full of cucumbers (Hmm… just me??), take them to your local food pantry. We have a church down the street that serves our community and they love to have fresh veggies because they are not seen often.

Another thing to keep in mind, and it should be common sense but, only plant things you want eat. Even though Butternut Squash is becoming super trendy, but it will never grace my garden. (Okay, never say “never…”) But, for now… I just can’t. The texture. Bleh.

2. Plan a good spot for your garden

Our plants grow in the ground, but you could use containers on your deck or create raised beds. Whatever works with your situation, be it a yard or just a balcony.

Our garden in late May 2013. Seeds had recently been transplanted into the ground. Our garden faces west in order to receive plenty of sun.

Surprisingly, plants don’t need too much space.

But, they do need three key things in their designated location:

– At least six hours of sunlight a day. But, if you don’t have full sun in your yard don’t feel like a garden is a lost cause. Plants like leafy greens do great with shade.
– Water… Unless you really want to work on your biceps and walk back and forth with a full watering can, make sure your hose can reach the garden beds. You can thank me later for that one.
– Good Soil (We will talk more about creating nutrient rich soil once it warms up a bit.)

3. Get materials needed for starting seeds

There are great seed starting kits that can be found at any home improvement or garden store. These kits make it super easy. There are directions right on the kits. Some even have “greenhouse” covers to help keep heat in, replicating the warmer, summer temperatures.

Seed packets can also be found at home and garden stores. I even saw them at the grocery store today.

Last year all our seeds were packaged by Burpee. I enjoyed them and they worked out great. Burpee is an excellent brand and you will be able to find their products easily. We will be growing many different Burpee seeds this spring.

However, there are lots of other seed companies out there. Adam and I are planning to try a couple different companies, such as Gurney’s. Their seeds come through the mail.

Many of the seed companies out there also have Certified Organic seeds, if that’s something you are interested in.

Also, Adam and I use Grow Lamps to provide artificial light and heat to plants in the beginning. I have a friend who puts her starter kits right by a window that gets a lot of light throughout the day. Her plants do great.

It’s up to you and how much you want to invest. You can find Grow Lights in many different sizes and levels of quality so their prices can range from $50-$500.

Our Grow Lamp, starter kits and spray bottle in 2013. Label sheets are on the floor in front of the kits.

Other small items to have ready to go before you get sow seeds:

Labels and a marker: I made ours last year with toothpicks and label stickers so that they looked like little flags.

Spray bottle: These are super cheap and you can find them anywhere. Make sure they didn’t hold any cleaning chemicals before you use them to water your plants.
Watering Can
Potting soil

Alright snow… get out of here. We have garden’s to plant!