tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12240006365609641242024-02-19T13:54:16.116-05:00MO FARMThe triumphs, failures, and adventures of a girl
trying to re-connect with her food, the dirt,
and the remarkable joys that can only be found by digging
into the earth.Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-38991778867832248302013-05-05T18:37:00.001-04:002013-05-06T14:45:35.130-04:00At last...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The soil has been turned, the trees are in bloom, and plans for the season can begin to come to fruition! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the coming week, I'll begin construction of a fence that will surround the garden beds (because dog-pee veggies are NOT on my menu!) and then 'operation no more grass' can commence! My objective is to be rid of a turf grass within the fence, which will reduce my mowing-maintenance significantly! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh... And I suppose I should probably start planting soon. That too!</span><br />
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-86011674158526143162013-02-09T11:04:00.003-05:002013-02-09T11:04:32.822-05:00Happy Seedy Saturday!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seeds, glorious seeds!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I LOVE Seedy Saturday. I missed this great event last year, as I was travelling in Germany for work. While that was a thrill, and an excellent opportunity, I sorely missed the bustle and fun of buying, trading and giving away seeds! There's something magical about the promise of summer bounty held in tidy little packages... hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables, all boasting unique traits and qualities that make them special.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm bringing peas and beets for the exchange table, and if you happen to pick up one of these packages, I hope you'll say hello in the comments below!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the whole thing is new to you, find out more about Seedy Saturday at Linda Crago's <a href="http://www.treeandtwig.ca/" target="_blank">Tree and Twig Farm</a> blog <a href="http://treeandtwigheirlooms.blogspot.ca/2013/01/niagara-seedy-saturday-2013-update.html" target="_blank">here.</a> Seedy Saturday wouldn't happen in Niagara if not for Linda's boundless energy and enthusiasm. She'll be there, and when you see her, make sure to say hello!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-32310428460910432112013-01-25T18:43:00.001-05:002013-01-25T18:43:11.937-05:002012: The Year That Wasn't<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Planting seedlings LATE in May, 2012.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2012 didn't happen in my garden. Not really. My season began with an injury... I sprained my ankle while chasing my other passion, roller derby (more on that later), and was hobbled when it came time to turn soil, plant seedlings and generally start making things <i>happen </i>out there. With a late start in May, I never really found my garden groove and ended up with a half-assed, sorry shadow of what Mo Farm was meant to be. Hey, it happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weeds were atrocious, my peppers didn't pep, the lettuce bolted and went to seed, and the zucchini never even got sown. What did I learn from this? Not a damn thing! (haha) I'm not dwelling on my failed season, or even lamenting it. I frequented the farmer's market, I spent more time with friends, and now, with the 2013 growing season on the horizon, I'm approaching my garden plans with a renewed energy and a better vision of what I need out of my landscape. First and foremost in my planning - LOWER MAINTENANCE! My world isn't about to get any less hectic, and in order to make the most of my time in the garden and to get the most yield out of my space, I'm reducing the turf, increasing the mulch, and turning my little beds into raised beds this spring. I'm also going to look seriously into simple drip irrigation systems, invest in rain barrels, and figure out a way to keep the damn dogs from running through my tomatoes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So... sound good? Do you forgive me for abandoning you? I can't wait to start the adventure again in 2013.... Seedy Saturday is next weekend! Are you in?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-58620286896811581332012-05-25T11:16:00.000-04:002012-05-25T11:16:32.211-04:00Getting Back to Sun & Soil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Is there any better feeling? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a long, hard, bitter winter for my family and I. While the weather wasn't too harsh, our cicumstances were... we fought depression and boredom. We fought with eachother. We fought with our finances. We fought cancer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The ultimate reward for a season of hardship is the catharsis of dirt under nails and sun on shoulders as we get back to the soil. The sweat and flex of muscles as we strip away the old, turning over the earth to plant a new beginning, is like a healing ritual that seems capable of fixing anything and everything. This past long weekend was the 'official' start of the gardening season for many, and I dove into my garden for the first time this year with an intensity I had forgotten was possible. With aching back and tired legs, I sat on the soft grass on Monday afternoon as the sprinkler watered my newly-sprouted pea seedlings and emerging mesclun greens with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart that I had missed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It feels good to be back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What are you growing this year?</span><br />
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-22554262542338028172012-03-07T19:09:00.000-05:002012-03-07T19:09:13.473-05:00Spring?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It must be, because my seeds are here! It's been a loooong winter for my family and I, and I've been miserable at updating the Mo Farm blog. But it's a new season, and a fresh start, and I cannot WAIT to be back in fresh air, sunshine and soil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Looking back at last season, I'm already behind! I'll be sowing my first round of seeds this weekend, (a solid week behind last season's schedule) and you can start too! Check out <a href="http://mofarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/sow-grow-how-to-grow-plants-from-seed.html">this post from last year </a>for everything you need to sow & grow from seed! And stay tuned... because Spring is here!</span><br />
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-12231849813357656682011-12-08T11:05:00.001-05:002011-12-08T11:07:25.647-05:00Homegrown Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are few things I love more than decorating for the Christmas season. That said, it's been tough to get into the spirit so far, but last week I set my mind to creating a welcoming entrance. Call it peer pressure, because my neighbours spare no expense or effort in offering a carnival of lights, glowing deer and garland! I decided to skip the fanfare and focus on what I love most - the understated beauty of natural materials.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I built arrangements for my cast-iron urns using birch poles, banded willow branches, greens, some dried accents from the garden centre and cuts of dried 'Limelight' Hydrangea, plumes from my ornamental grasses and Sedum heads from the garden. I'm truly thrilled with the result.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I searched high and low for a wreath that I liked enough to spend money on, but found nothing! Instead, leftover greens from the arrangements, a few pine cones and a re-purposed ornament that I bought for my tree made a perfect alternative. Tied together with some jute twine from the shed, it makes me smile every time I come home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How are you decorating for the holidays?</span></div>
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-34969880479891139692011-11-02T20:53:00.001-04:002011-11-06T09:51:23.990-05:00Bountiful Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-62733427279244754142011-09-22T10:24:00.000-04:002011-09-22T10:24:27.067-04:00Farewell, Sweet Summer...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I kissed the summer goodbye with a hike in beautiful Shorthills Provincial Park last weekend. Sigh.</td></tr>
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-15962488083688085892011-08-29T09:20:00.000-04:002011-08-29T09:20:13.541-04:00Bonus Berries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ563OikM_rhk16TNo4Xnxj-gBOwkr0wgmTLKqxjMBc4S_ADnCQgh0IrXCJ0rN2bncjeLj0C4wPbq2QysHvdbWigfWU9Hts8WVlYdY6fAvOwpZyEPLmLFEmaTcd291cIRw8vUspcmdw8/s1600/IMG_8942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ563OikM_rhk16TNo4Xnxj-gBOwkr0wgmTLKqxjMBc4S_ADnCQgh0IrXCJ0rN2bncjeLj0C4wPbq2QysHvdbWigfWU9Hts8WVlYdY6fAvOwpZyEPLmLFEmaTcd291cIRw8vUspcmdw8/s400/IMG_8942.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The surprise (and delight!) of my summer has been provided by a plant I didn't know I had. When I moved into my house in January, the garden was a mystery. Discovering perennials and shrubs as they emerged from winter's sleep was a horticultural treasure hunt! So, when this cluster of hollow woody canes popped up beside the fence, I trimmed them and shaped them as I would any other plant. Imagine my surprise when <i>hundreds </i>of berries began to form in June! It took a while, but they've ripened into the most delicious blackberries I've ever had. Bonus!</span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-21285855292568083982011-08-26T21:51:00.002-04:002011-08-26T21:55:20.033-04:00My Sisters (A Bit Corny)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGC7gNDOsYXTBcCCAbXPMEJKJlCANR4QLuVTiOxZFAFsRBC66Fdl3xGxOpn6_buOFth2Wewnsl22nmXkPEVM6NYUL0uYJhf2h8NR-5FGumkQGKFMFNuJ-oZUj6OXNKvDFv3Xh6he4QlA/s1600/2011+Red+Trillium+Hamilton+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGC7gNDOsYXTBcCCAbXPMEJKJlCANR4QLuVTiOxZFAFsRBC66Fdl3xGxOpn6_buOFth2Wewnsl22nmXkPEVM6NYUL0uYJhf2h8NR-5FGumkQGKFMFNuJ-oZUj6OXNKvDFv3Xh6he4QlA/s400/2011+Red+Trillium+Hamilton+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High as an elephant's eye? </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This season marked the first time I've ever tried growing corn. With a wet, cool and muddy spring, I chose to hold off on planting until well into June, so I wasn't sure how successful I'd be. That said, like most of my gardening endeavours, for me it's more the experience of trying than the success of the harvest that matters most. With that in mind, my husband and I dug a 10' x 10' bed and plunked seeds into the soil.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnzIbb9ZYv9hudBU3kI6NGAuHAkMQp5aJBkDaqgrXHpEhBQ1Qyw1Wtmf1Jon3eOIPQGUDF_QcXdE8R0y2XQnuk1LSGUfgDFFbnWv7WyA0NgmZTi-TTDZhyphenhyphenhqycqmRdyId4YmijvpuE4g/s1600/IMG_8530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnzIbb9ZYv9hudBU3kI6NGAuHAkMQp5aJBkDaqgrXHpEhBQ1Qyw1Wtmf1Jon3eOIPQGUDF_QcXdE8R0y2XQnuk1LSGUfgDFFbnWv7WyA0NgmZTi-TTDZhyphenhyphenhqycqmRdyId4YmijvpuE4g/s400/IMG_8530.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More turf bites the dust - this yard's for growin!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjso2kQcGb_otk-Wx_2Kig-qHvIkEJInhV-24S6ICcyYAxZhOQOxV1gc8DrY9eZVkMa1JByypryf7RqZM3Wj6m0_tscBcqmz61ikRSNTmxQFEHxisoZgzmvmekbcaP3xh_tVPbvjU64kqY/s1600/IMG_8631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjso2kQcGb_otk-Wx_2Kig-qHvIkEJInhV-24S6ICcyYAxZhOQOxV1gc8DrY9eZVkMa1JByypryf7RqZM3Wj6m0_tscBcqmz61ikRSNTmxQFEHxisoZgzmvmekbcaP3xh_tVPbvjU64kqY/s400/IMG_8631.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Within two weeks of planting, corn was looking like corn. Sweet!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Reading about how other people grow things inspires and empowers me. This past winter and spring, I was really interested in learning more about <a href="http://mofarm.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-love-books-like-carrots-love-tomatoes.html">companion planting</a>, and I came across many mentions of the 'Three Sisters', a <a href="http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html">method of growing</a> long used by the native Americans. Corn, squash and beans grow symbiotically together, so that's what I decided to do. I interplanted corn with my 'Costata Romanesco' zucchini and golden hubbard squash, the theory being that the rough, spiky stems and leaves of the squash plants deter hungry critters like raccoons and squirrels from climbing or knocking over the corn stalks.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WNszsYbY1SWHzaXjcftCSlkpa29P70CB92Fs7QYQQZudA_Gr_kc66VIddmUpn9cOvfyDelxd4Hhe5MBVlNZWfZqqwxyBRcgvXibMWCxPy5bom-pEIVU_5Ud9cTHXzSEDAtTT_HCRJyw/s1600/IMG_8703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WNszsYbY1SWHzaXjcftCSlkpa29P70CB92Fs7QYQQZudA_Gr_kc66VIddmUpn9cOvfyDelxd4Hhe5MBVlNZWfZqqwxyBRcgvXibMWCxPy5bom-pEIVU_5Ud9cTHXzSEDAtTT_HCRJyw/s400/IMG_8703.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 'Three Sisters' garden begins to take shape in July, as viewed from the deck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0_TIMmDJsOIT0HmcGH1pQlRr37zXPJQaxTe_NOaYJ_Vaf_gItFpey7dgGADQwFu9658P82uDjvJeXFy4C1caO9XTnM9XEjoFVjZ_T5dxg9w82KwKaTsN1vT-yKU2wqhvWIU2T7WjNfw/s1600/IMG_8936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0_TIMmDJsOIT0HmcGH1pQlRr37zXPJQaxTe_NOaYJ_Vaf_gItFpey7dgGADQwFu9658P82uDjvJeXFy4C1caO9XTnM9XEjoFVjZ_T5dxg9w82KwKaTsN1vT-yKU2wqhvWIU2T7WjNfw/s400/IMG_8936.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zucchini growing happily in the shade of the corn.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the next phase of planting, pole beans are sown amid the corn. Beans fix nitrogen from the air into the soil, supplying the hungry, rapidly-growing corn with nutrition. In exchange, the corn provides structure for the beans to climb upon. It's a pretty good arrangement!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0XNfUToiliDhTuTSoiJVhopu47uzUGyMc7PyHPfL20CBijeUiZgYlIBjFPkuRTDqnHaFHMS5RhqzGlJJqNyB-nY7ISQQzij-VC5XsmlRj7rynoi1LK0ZGLnbLO-_41kmFpozYCRv9cU/s1600/IMG_8961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0XNfUToiliDhTuTSoiJVhopu47uzUGyMc7PyHPfL20CBijeUiZgYlIBjFPkuRTDqnHaFHMS5RhqzGlJJqNyB-nY7ISQQzij-VC5XsmlRj7rynoi1LK0ZGLnbLO-_41kmFpozYCRv9cU/s400/IMG_8961.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzP4OOR1274xAzf7iwcgNxblh5FSXIN2aKB0qkirH_hqi_aKUqIL_FFyhYTLuH3B31fLqZ-o4wz8aKymXH1YyLOu-gnNBGEdjz_8vcbUSlwxcTbps7b9hM-T1lh5XSSPrHIR82idRv93g/s1600/2011+Red+Trillium+Hamilton+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzP4OOR1274xAzf7iwcgNxblh5FSXIN2aKB0qkirH_hqi_aKUqIL_FFyhYTLuH3B31fLqZ-o4wz8aKymXH1YyLOu-gnNBGEdjz_8vcbUSlwxcTbps7b9hM-T1lh5XSSPrHIR82idRv93g/s400/2011+Red+Trillium+Hamilton+010.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ornamental qualities of the corn at all stages of growth was a pleasant surprise. She's a looker!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, the big question... did it work? Well, yes and no. Nothing is perfect, as I'm always reminded by my garden. The zucchini produced beautifully throughout late July, but then suffered in the heat and humidity, afflicted with terrible powdery mildew and all but halting flowering and fruiting. The corn is still growing, and has in fact produced cobs. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoMTVlKjwF3JCUfVXHWv8Rcrpcp1zhLqut_ExU4pWwrGVlQmfeNnkcZOiYjSjFZaXfxoqn1gatF4ZI-qxD41eN8Z_nUJkRIiJTy6rn3l7b59YEx-SeXxmMIyzEMsnqyCE07qAbIRGnJY/s1600/IMG_8998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoMTVlKjwF3JCUfVXHWv8Rcrpcp1zhLqut_ExU4pWwrGVlQmfeNnkcZOiYjSjFZaXfxoqn1gatF4ZI-qxD41eN8Z_nUJkRIiJTy6rn3l7b59YEx-SeXxmMIyzEMsnqyCE07qAbIRGnJY/s400/IMG_8998.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first cobs of corn begin to form in late July - success?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Success! (I think.) I'm unsure of when to pick them, as they're quite small, and I'm not confident they'll fully ripen. The beans were planted very late, but are climbing happily and beginning to form flowers. I think I'll get some before summers' end, which is approaching much more quickly than I'd prefer! Overall, I'm proud of my Three Sisters experiment, and I'm looking forward to modifying and repeating the process next season. Homegrown corn may not be in my kitchen as of yet this summer, but thankfully, there's plenty of local gold to enjoy, courtesy of Ontario farmers much more talented than I!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijChPUa7uH2rk_eIVdsPUqO41IkFUJSY_AiPlTQ-6MiKvk4STEw_2XyyM2xQSqhMwyQihXRDqZcM6Qvhl7Ivy-dgtEd_iCaq1tfvISWArSP6dkwfCy_I3RJUlUYHGIHoyR3AsrJ84KmT4/s1600/Corny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijChPUa7uH2rk_eIVdsPUqO41IkFUJSY_AiPlTQ-6MiKvk4STEw_2XyyM2xQSqhMwyQihXRDqZcM6Qvhl7Ivy-dgtEd_iCaq1tfvISWArSP6dkwfCy_I3RJUlUYHGIHoyR3AsrJ84KmT4/s400/Corny.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corny.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-58710891528439351722011-08-05T07:29:00.002-04:002011-08-05T11:22:26.075-04:00Welcome Back, Tomatoes!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1yviBEczPmI3g04T26GCgQTYbgrB8q48oJa-QmG7ibOQQNYrZeh5-_jcQJoSdEksakdshcVMgIhFP61T5QYTcQiyQL4T9E5S9irBzWVLHyGSgw3_m9zpXnXW056V0FMpw0m8_FF24IM/s1600/IMG_8968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1yviBEczPmI3g04T26GCgQTYbgrB8q48oJa-QmG7ibOQQNYrZeh5-_jcQJoSdEksakdshcVMgIhFP61T5QYTcQiyQL4T9E5S9irBzWVLHyGSgw3_m9zpXnXW056V0FMpw0m8_FF24IM/s400/IMG_8968.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first ripe tomato of my season!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They're finally back! The very first ripe tomatoes of the season appeared in the gardens last night, opening the door to months of juicy, seedy, delicious goodness. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglh49eCE52WC3wwWLFs_D0XtfwZDE7oZKvH7P0_kNAeyxNA2GcxMf_caVws-VlVVnwrzm8hODVTJEtgFByEm9Sa7kjBaxRW3uMMNKxopKSd8L1697b8lUzCygtZonIxq16xHCzKfJjqaw/s1600/IMG_8969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglh49eCE52WC3wwWLFs_D0XtfwZDE7oZKvH7P0_kNAeyxNA2GcxMf_caVws-VlVVnwrzm8hODVTJEtgFByEm9Sa7kjBaxRW3uMMNKxopKSd8L1697b8lUzCygtZonIxq16xHCzKfJjqaw/s400/IMG_8969.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big, beautiful 'Black Krim' deepens in colour on the vine.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh how I missed you, my dearest Black Krim... never leave me again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course they <i>will</i> leave, as all seasonal foods must. So it's up to us to enjoy every little bite, and every slurp, and every beautifully glowing orb on the vine. We shall can! And we shall freeze! And we shall celebrate! Which reminds me... </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_JSBqQ1Ha9ywBulnvpRBwH8jUnHDveUg3IcZ9FjNW8imgTG7q5nUIyFYF8oJV5vXrWZGu7LlNKP1_WAOtibh4CpMWIjmK2k-FEI0jbVeIQ9A8jW2efIdcMOhzxnnhZ_2-E49HVDGqJo/s1600/IMG_6771_2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_JSBqQ1Ha9ywBulnvpRBwH8jUnHDveUg3IcZ9FjNW8imgTG7q5nUIyFYF8oJV5vXrWZGu7LlNKP1_WAOtibh4CpMWIjmK2k-FEI0jbVeIQ9A8jW2efIdcMOhzxnnhZ_2-E49HVDGqJo/s400/IMG_6771_2714.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree & Twig Tomato Tour 2010. Wowsa!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda of <a href="http://www.treeandtwig.ca/index.htm">Tree & Twig</a> has announced the date for her annual <a href="http://treeandtwigheirlooms.blogspot.com/2011/07/heirloom-tomato-bash-2011-sunday.html">Tomato Bash</a> at the farm! I had such an amazing time last year, and if you missed it, I know that you regretted not coming when you saw the <a href="http://mofarm.blogspot.com/2010/08/tree-twig-tomato-tour.html">pictures</a>. Don't make the same mistake this year - come on out to Tree & Twig on September 4th! If you're in my neck of the woods, you're welcome to ride with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Until then, I'll be wrist-deep in tomato glory... Yippee! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpAE7xbFqRkJlXs7GPSukAQPjjkBTiWg0dS33H898bzCncn7SE9-ZuuOJ8JhKcYjQZgwl2j45buy4kpNSs3sbF5l4mRelda5CUU6Hnpo7-L7qZwKWSeQrQG8-taWvZM4T0Pt_jVt0Wzw/s1600/IMG_8979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpAE7xbFqRkJlXs7GPSukAQPjjkBTiWg0dS33H898bzCncn7SE9-ZuuOJ8JhKcYjQZgwl2j45buy4kpNSs3sbF5l4mRelda5CUU6Hnpo7-L7qZwKWSeQrQG8-taWvZM4T0Pt_jVt0Wzw/s400/IMG_8979.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 'San Marzano' - won't be long now!</td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Black Plum' ready for eating. It was so sweet!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-52824813672932541232011-07-26T19:33:00.002-04:002011-07-26T19:44:49.168-04:00Let's Grow Together: A Beet-Down!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go babies, grow!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the many mistakes I made last season was failing to continually seed throughout the season. It's so easy to be gung-ho in the spring, but it's also easy to forget to keep things rolling throughout the summer by simply plunking more seeds into the empty spaces left by early producers. Thankfully, it's a lesson I learned, and this year I'm determined to keep my garden producing all season long... and I'm not the only one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda Crago of <a href="http://www.treeandtwig.ca/">Tree & Twig</a> has laid down a challenge to gardeners... a 'beet-down', if you will. <a href="http://treeandtwigheirlooms.blogspot.com/2011/07/theres-no-bestbut-let-there-beetsits.html">The Late Beet Planting Challenge</a> extends from coast to coast, with participants agreeing to plant and harvest a crops of Detroit Dark Red beets at (approximately) the same time. It was a challenge that I couldn't resist, and though I was <a href="http://treeandtwigheirlooms.blogspot.com/2011/07/late-beet-planting-challenge-calling.html">late to the game</a> (I sowed my seeds about 48 hours AFTER everyone else because I'm a terrible procrastinator) I'm pleased to see my new beet crop poking up through the soil. Will my beets outshine their competition? Will they get munched by mystery pests like my spring drop of Golden Detroits? Only time will tell!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's too late to join this particular challenge, but it certainly serves as a reminder to keep on sowin'! Right now is the perfect time in Southern Ontario to think about planting fall crops like beets, carrots, parsnips, cabbage and kale, and as long as the sun keeps shining, there is always room for a little more lettuce! Need some beet seeds? Linda was very gracious in sharing hers, I can certainly pass along the favour! If you'd like some FREE BEET SEEDS in the mail, just drop me an <a href="mailto:mofarmniagara@gmail.com">e-mail</a> with your address and I'll send them your way... just promise to tell me how you made out with your late planting challenge!</span><br />
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-34049887694690740552011-07-23T07:24:00.000-04:002011-07-23T07:24:37.296-04:00The HEAT Goes On...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully, not all of my garden plants seem to mind.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The wave of heat and drought continues in Southern Ontario. I did a rain dance before bed last night, but to no avail...</span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-1644453828284241482011-07-13T14:36:00.000-04:002011-07-13T14:36:57.829-04:00In Case You've Been Under A Rock...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I feel I would be remiss if I didn't give a big ol' shout out to Julie Bass, the suburban resident of Oak Park, MI who is being charged by her city for the unspeakable crime of growing vegetables in raised garden beds (GASP!) in FRONT of her house. Imagine the horror!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Click on the video for the story, if perchance you've not yet heard it. I don't think I need to tell you where I stand on the issue... frankly, I'm surprised that the city is maintaining such a strong stance in the face of the outrage they're receiving from people all over North America and as far as Australia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Truly noteworthy, however, is Julie herself. I just spent the morning reading <a href="http://oakparkhatesveggies.wordpress.com/">her entire blog</a>, and I have to tell you that I'm utterly charmed. Julie writes from a real and personal perspective, she answers comments (which at this point, I'm sure is close to impossible) and she conducts herself with incredible poise and dignity. When crap like this goes viral, which it now has, the central figure suddenly becomes a public personality and is subjected to the opinions and comments of every jackass with an internet connection... it's a scary thing! Julie always takes the high road, and for that as much as her veggie-rights cause, she should be commended.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, want to help her out?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.oakpark-mi.com/city_directory/page04.asp">Write to the city of Oak Park, MI</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/oak-park-hates-veggies/">Sign the petition</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers to Julie Bass and her front-yard veggies! </span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-31893641197795849282011-07-09T00:32:00.001-04:002011-07-09T00:34:40.456-04:00A Summer Pause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How has it happened? Frankly, I've been a miserable blogger this season... but perhaps that's been to the benefit of my garden. It's been easy to get frustrated this season, inheriting a giant space with a wonderful bounty to keep over, ambitiously expanding and experimenting, wanting everything to work out right here and now. But, as usual, the garden teaches me patience. It slows and humbles me. It reminds me that sometimes, despite doing the right thing and planning carefully, harvests will fail. Trees will drop fruit. Flowers will wilt, and aphids will suck, and grass will brown and go dormant. The high season of summer takes hold, and we give pause to bow to the heat and admit that at times, it's best to put down your arms and retreat, relenting in the shade and the cool respite of a hard-won mint tea on ice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MO FARM in images as of the end of June follows. I truly can't wait to see what July will hold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I promise to be better with sharing my fun.</span><br />
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<span id="goog_1338409735"></span><span id="goog_1338409736"></span></div>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-53654222911587993412011-06-29T11:34:00.004-04:002011-06-30T11:40:18.736-04:00Road Trippin': Bonnaroo 2011<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous arch at Bonnaroo '11 in Manchester, TN.</td></tr>
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Do you ROO?</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every June in Manchester, Tennessee, something wild and wonderful happens. Tens of thousands of music fans from all across North America descend upon an enormous field in the middle of nowhere for the <a href="http://www.bonnaroo.com/info/what-is-bonnaroo.aspx">Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival</a> - a celebration of music and culture unlike anything else! My husband and I had made this trip before in 2004, so this year we were packed, prepped and ready to rock with 134,000 of the strangest and most amazing people you've ever seen.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kris Mo - wristbanded and ready for rock.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The diverse lineup of artists drew us back to Tennessee this year, and we weren't disappointed. More than 100 bands including Arcade Fire, My Morning Jacket, Buffalo Springfield, Florence + the Machine, and yes, even Eminem rocked on multiple stages throughout the 4 days and nights at all hours. Magic happened, my friends, and it's a vacation I'll never forget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So what does this have to do with 'urban farming' and why am I writing about it on the blog? Well, I was surprised and delighted to find that the love of locally-produced, artisan cuisine and enthusiasm for growing food at home was prevalent at Bonnaroo! <a href="http://www.bonnaroo.com/activities/food-on-the-move.aspx">Gourmet food trucks </a>came from across the country to showcase their signature dishes to thousands of fans, and we enjoyed incredible meals like vegan curry from <a href="http://www.thefeast.com/miami/restaurants/gastropod-13032207_.html?src=search&market=miami&address=&userId=24618563&keyword=gastropod&radius=2&pageNum=1">Gastropod</a> (Miami), and a quirky and delicious snack you have to taste to believe called a <a href="http://www.petros.com/">'Petro'</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bonnaroo.com/activities/the-academy.aspx">'The Academy'</a> run by the festival offered free workshops all weekend on topics like sustainable gardening practices, composting, and growing food in containers, even showcasing examples of different garden styles and a mud-and-straw house. Awesome! Watching people mingle around the gardens, reading tags and touching the tomato leaves was really cool to see, and my heart nearly burst as I watched passers-by empty their (precious!) water from their reusable bottles onto the dry soil for the plants. It was in the mid-40's all week, and the heat took a toll on everyone, including the veggies!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's a glimpse at the gardens of Bonnaroo 2011:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching gardens at 'the Academy' - Bonnaroo 2011.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demonstrating growing food in small spaces with repurposed containers. Sweet!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BgoALxJur4huzNMLEFUncAOP_ca4U9Nku7JmrLsbDVrhDbBO7MMkKxLfmWZwweterZ_bGfIF38JeZk8xHxblD4_MAqO-k6J_pKDRfXAHtzXuMaYfDZdSBwBRNSvC_7pBgGd96Hw97Ic/s1600/Bonnaroo+2011+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BgoALxJur4huzNMLEFUncAOP_ca4U9Nku7JmrLsbDVrhDbBO7MMkKxLfmWZwweterZ_bGfIF38JeZk8xHxblD4_MAqO-k6J_pKDRfXAHtzXuMaYfDZdSBwBRNSvC_7pBgGd96Hw97Ic/s400/Bonnaroo+2011+010.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Victory Garden surrounded a clay-covered straw bale house - a cool respite from the Tennessee heat!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In one more happy discovery, I found <a href="http://firstperson.oxfamamerica.org/index.php/2011/06/22/music-fans-fight-hunger-at-bonnaroo-2011/">Oxfam at Bonnaroo</a> too! In my last blog post, I mentioned <a href="http://www.oxfamamerica.org/campaigns/food-justice">Oxfam's GROW campaign</a>, and they were out in full force at the festival, raising awareness of the campaign and signing up green-minded folks in droves. Hurray!</span><br />
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-4627881784455671282011-06-02T10:24:00.000-04:002011-06-02T10:24:13.307-04:00GROW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IEncHWEjLTI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the first things I learned when I began my journey to become an 'urban farmer' was that our global food system is very broken. The sad and scary fact is that, despite having plentiful resources on our planet, far too many people are hungry. Oxfam has launched a new international campaign called <a href="http://oxfamamerica.org/campaigns/food-justice">GROW</a> which aims to build a better, fairer food system. Awesome!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">According to Oxfam:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We’ve reached a turning point. Here’s what we need to do, starting now, to grow food and justice without wrecking the planet:</span></i><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Increase the productivity, self-reliance, and economic opportunity of small-scale farmers, especially women, who depend on agriculture for income and food.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Increase farmers’ access to resources like water and land,</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and make sure they don’t have to unfairly compete with big companies for ownership of these resources.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Increase farmers’ preparedness in the face of more-frequent and more-extreme droughts, floods, and storms.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Modernize our food aid programs so they are more effective,</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">efficient, and fiscally responsible, improving the global</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">response to natural disasters and food crises.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Hold governments and businesses accountable for the impacts of their policies and practices on global food security.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the full factsheet with more information, <a href="http://www.oxfamamerica.org/files/grow-factsheet.pdf">click here.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-34687672947079845832011-05-20T14:12:00.002-04:002011-05-20T14:16:00.249-04:00I Love Books Like 'Carrots Love Tomatoes'<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.amazon.ca/images/I/51Me-evQWIL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img.amazon.ca/images/I/51Me-evQWIL._SS500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The legendary gardening classic has maintained its' popularity for a reason.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Loooong weekend! This is it - it's time for all of the planning to come to fruition as we bust out of the house and into the soil with gusto. Planting <i>mindfully </i>is important, though, as tough as it can be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This past winter, I spent a significant amount of time reading. And planning. And reading. And scheming. And reading and dreaming and sketching and reading and <i>gettingsoveryantsy!! </i>In anticipation of my first 'big girl garden' with a new home and new lot in sight, I wanted to make good decisions that were well-informed, and plan my gardens with the best organic practices possible. While my friends will argue this, the fact is that I am NOT an "expert" when it comes to gardening. Frankly, I kinda loathe the term. I know plants, and I love plants, but what drew me to horticulture as a career path in the first place is that it's built for lifelong learning. I've been gardening for almost 15 years, working in the industry for 12, and I learn new things every single day. I hope I'm never an expert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Something I'm fairly new in discovering is the concept of companion planting. This is certainly not because it's new... it's a practice that's been used by growers for at least a thousand years (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_planting">according to wikipedia</a>, anyway) that gained renewed popularity in the 70s as the organic movement began gaining serious momentum. It's a concept formed by the principle that some plants are mutually beneficial, while others are incompatible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sometimes the relationship works because of physical characteristics of the plants, like the Native Americans <a href="http://www.kidsgardening.com/growingideas/projects/march02/mar02-pg1.htm">'Three Sisters' </a>- corn providing structure for beans to climb upon, the beans fix nitrogen into the soil for the heavy-feeding corn, and they're grown with squash at the base, which deters animals from eating the corn or knocking it over as well as shading the roots. Sometimes one plant will help to deter common pests of another, as happens with marigolds, which tend to deter aphids and attract predatory insects. Sometimes, plants will actually help to improve the flavour of others, as with mint and basil planted with tomatoes. Incredible, no? This information was, and is, fascinating to me, and quite honestly, a little intimidating. Enter the legendary Louise Riotte!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Carrots-Love-Tomatoes-Companion-Successful/dp/1580170277/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305915326&sr=1-1">'Carrots Love Tomatoes'</a> became instrumental in the planning of my veggie beds for this season, as well as all of the surrounding areas. I read the book from front to back, and then kept it at hand throughout the winter and spring as my vision of my gardens began to become clearer. Once I decided to start modestly and work with a four-small-bed system this season, sketching became easier. I worked through the spaces, mindful of companion plants and 'uh oh' combinations, and ended up with a pretty little schematic. Will I stick to it religiously? Not a chance! But it's a PLAN, and something to go by.</span><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little beds with BIG plans.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By using smaller beds this summer, I'll plant my gardens more intensively, paying close attention to the soil. This is always paramount in organic gardening... the soil is <i>everything</i> and by starting with smaller spaces in my first season at this house, I'm ensuring that the soil quality will meet my needs. It will also make it much easier to plan next year's gardens with crop rotation in mind.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's really hard to reign in big dreams. If I had an unlimited budget, and no full-time job, there would be no lawn left and a bounty beyond anything I could imagine. But hey... there's nothing wrong with humble beginnings, you've just got to give it a go, have some patience and let things happen. Happy planting this weekend, friends! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And the offer still stands - if you'd like to head out to <a href="http://treeandtwigheirlooms.blogspot.com/2011/05/tomato-days-flyer-please-print-and-post.html">Linda's Tomato Days</a> sale at <a href="http://www.treeandtwig.ca/">Tree & Twig</a> this Sunday, you can ride with me! </span></span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-28272463466730276462011-05-11T09:45:00.002-04:002011-05-19T10:10:44.720-04:00Tomato Days are Coming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwH1NOIwxvSCdWR3taeEQgrXxuJfam5h7VwovzWMtJkkVi1fwUieUn2eAr3c1BpdiE0bjHPBinooB1njloq7euvjTqT1-5KdwZN981fLgxlOLPGN3Mz49i3S-IG3hGiTh65Kuw6J5E4Y/s640/Linda%25E2%2580%2599s+Tomato+flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwH1NOIwxvSCdWR3taeEQgrXxuJfam5h7VwovzWMtJkkVi1fwUieUn2eAr3c1BpdiE0bjHPBinooB1njloq7euvjTqT1-5KdwZN981fLgxlOLPGN3Mz49i3S-IG3hGiTh65Kuw6J5E4Y/s400/Linda%25E2%2580%2599s+Tomato+flyer.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm so excited for Tomato Days at Tree & Twig! I'll be heading out to see Linda on Sunday, May 22nd - anyone who would like to come along with me is welcome to join in the fun. </span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-75859481180062680852011-05-10T22:19:00.002-04:002011-05-11T10:25:37.888-04:00Progress<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8HdY_exDZutbzhctVuSZmR1ExJNLVOvZe3UELfmwb9XtDaJeIbB7kVzXj2qv9ZnKT1Uwubk8oGcFBXRkFBrkx7KL62w3C8C5djgHuBSYElcpA_r1gmKEv39Fswj0EBXidhr9wtk0ePw/s1600/Personal+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8HdY_exDZutbzhctVuSZmR1ExJNLVOvZe3UELfmwb9XtDaJeIbB7kVzXj2qv9ZnKT1Uwubk8oGcFBXRkFBrkx7KL62w3C8C5djgHuBSYElcpA_r1gmKEv39Fswj0EBXidhr9wtk0ePw/s400/Personal+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first blossoms open in my backyard.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So much has been happening at Mo Farm - there's hardly time to post about it! A quick update...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Peas are emerging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So are beets, both Golden Detroit & Chioggia.</span><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopeful little Golden Detroit beets.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmxMAn7v7Fc-L71p9qcTpyj8FCuNcufN9bS5vcVFAp6jPVXLE_7Y_TJ3VOYtoFmJDLzgT5dnSaRWcixfP-F4ovZPRHj9XvsV9M9MR0ot_w8kI5-pKyvvXaCx8MZvsoiSyqTlCprnvMRU/s1600/Personal+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmxMAn7v7Fc-L71p9qcTpyj8FCuNcufN9bS5vcVFAp6jPVXLE_7Y_TJ3VOYtoFmJDLzgT5dnSaRWcixfP-F4ovZPRHj9XvsV9M9MR0ot_w8kI5-pKyvvXaCx8MZvsoiSyqTlCprnvMRU/s320/Personal+002.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mammoth Melting Sugar peas begin to emerge. I can taste them already!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The fruit trees are blooming wildly - it's like a circus and I'm in love!</span><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blossoms & blue sky.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I expanded the existing perennial border on the left side of the yard and added 2 yards of black loam (with the help of my small and mighty sis!) It will now become the 'fruit forest' where I've planted rhubarb and a blueberry already, and will soon add additional blueberry varieties, strawberries, plum and apricot trees, another cherry, and an assortment of perennial faves.</span><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My newly-acquired 'Pink Lemonade' blueberry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3G16PJHGhtjYMEciqWOWSX0xtz4NJoFj3nkjWCcN2pZel0qY_eiOT_R9n8yt1jlGnokO7ZFnvLPeaxOYbRLuDQi7S6scA0A_deHgYOlfkCMDq8frMml_ClIHQIRBZS61GQXjj052Mpw/s1600/Personal+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3G16PJHGhtjYMEciqWOWSX0xtz4NJoFj3nkjWCcN2pZel0qY_eiOT_R9n8yt1jlGnokO7ZFnvLPeaxOYbRLuDQi7S6scA0A_deHgYOlfkCMDq8frMml_ClIHQIRBZS61GQXjj052Mpw/s400/Personal+010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fruit trees buzz with life. It's awesome!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the not-so-great side, the broccoli and brussels sprouts are pretty lame. They're doing fine, but haven't put on any growth at all since being planted... we'll see what happens!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, the downer-of-the-month: my fence blew down. Almost all of it. It was a wild storm that impacted hundreds of homes in the area, and frankly, I suppose we're lucky. Some folks close by had giant trees crash through their homes or onto their cars... that said, way too much time and money will need to be spent in the next week in order to repair the damage. Ahhh, glorious homeownership... </span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-65192846846939312812011-04-27T20:03:00.000-04:002011-04-27T20:03:04.085-04:00Nothing Is Perfect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AlhNdDWCHiP2UYeua72yf8pjuBHx6QV4aH2d_43kmX7idCWQLEj9sRUKzcMKMNQ-G_1J_Ofl2xZK5KeM_mgM-aB_WcBTa2tTynMC0eMmoBHFTAX3O9YOkGynHzBAdE5zkZMro5HPcKs/s1600/NothingsPerfect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AlhNdDWCHiP2UYeua72yf8pjuBHx6QV4aH2d_43kmX7idCWQLEj9sRUKzcMKMNQ-G_1J_Ofl2xZK5KeM_mgM-aB_WcBTa2tTynMC0eMmoBHFTAX3O9YOkGynHzBAdE5zkZMro5HPcKs/s400/NothingsPerfect.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I came to an important realization last week. This was that if I continued to wait until the conditions improved, and the sun shone brightly, and the night temperatures stayed consistent, and it stopped raining constantly... I might not begin my gardening season until it was half over. My friends, there is no such thing as a perfect Spring, despite what last year afforded us. Nothing is perfect, and this little fact is one of the things I love most about gardening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shit happens, and lots of it. There is a strong possibility that my seedlings will be munched by the bunny I suspect may be living under my deck. The weather might stay crappy all summer and cause diseases, rots, mildews and a poor yield. I might muck everything up myself without outside influence. But the truth of it is that without risks, there are no rewards - it's in the uncertainty of this activity of growing that lies the joy of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was with that simple realization in mind that I planted my first 2 veggie beds of the season on Monday, in the pouring rain, with cold-hardy veggies and seeds. I tied up my old, weather-worn bamboo poles into tripods with twine I found in the shed with chilly, damp fingers covered in clay, and prodded peas into the soil beneath in the hope that they will eventually climb to the top. I set out my seedlings, having coddled them since early March, into the mucky dirt in the hope that they'll thrive and will eventually form heads of broccoli and stalks of brussels sprouts. I drew lines into the earth and dropped tiny beet, radish and carrot seeds into the spaces available in the hope that they won't be washed away before they have a chance to germinate. I constructed a crude little cold frame out of u-shaped bamboo canes and an old plastic drop sheet in the hope that it just might help one bed germinate faster than the other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was cold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was muddy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was messy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was happy in every moment of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I am hopeful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-76679076275601682752011-04-18T11:58:00.003-04:002011-04-28T11:06:37.998-04:00Diggin' In<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbdOIUPHFYcv7bWtE2fjrVA5mCRZl_220YrkaSdOwqbaj_ge3hVIhYv4QwCtgiJ2GenvLwopfmaO0VVjC8vgWtL6PBMcQ0hydzAw_1IH82JGeMHSWqervGXITw6VJlI_C5vPeCNZzfPg/s1600/IMG_8216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbdOIUPHFYcv7bWtE2fjrVA5mCRZl_220YrkaSdOwqbaj_ge3hVIhYv4QwCtgiJ2GenvLwopfmaO0VVjC8vgWtL6PBMcQ0hydzAw_1IH82JGeMHSWqervGXITw6VJlI_C5vPeCNZzfPg/s400/IMG_8216.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New beds were dug last weekend - good thing!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rain, rain, go away... and take this April snow with you too! It's a good thing that last weekend was so productive, because this weekend was a disaster! I started creating brand new veggie beds while the sun was shining last week, and was planning to set out all of the broccoli, brussels sprouts, leeks and onions today. Add to that sowing of some beets, lettuces, radishes and some early carrots and it was promising to be a nice, busy weekend. Hmph - best laid plans, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ah well. While I'm waiting for the weather to cooperate, here's a look at how my veggie beds are shaping up and how I went about creating them... </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdfAyx3tbAFUhZqIgIT7Vt-QLqdApToMVeA4eJ9W-BmA39CH3lk2XBiRv9MPZrQFRUqEEUfXGEK1TFiduF738NWPQtY3WxjK0tvgpZYMkVMBr8Q1WaFaBEMYh-oWX00-tWqll97I06CE/s1600/IMG_8213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdfAyx3tbAFUhZqIgIT7Vt-QLqdApToMVeA4eJ9W-BmA39CH3lk2XBiRv9MPZrQFRUqEEUfXGEK1TFiduF738NWPQtY3WxjK0tvgpZYMkVMBr8Q1WaFaBEMYh-oWX00-tWqll97I06CE/s400/IMG_8213.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The season begins with planning & measuring.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Starting new garden beds in a lawn can be intimidating. You look across a perfect sea of green, and it takes a bit of visualization to consider the possibilities. There are many ways to start a veggie garden, and my plans changed the moment I stuck my spade into the soil. I had thought that I'd construct raised beds by removing the sod, building cedar boxes out of 2x6 boards and filling in with loads of compost... BUT, I was thrilled to find that beneath the monoculture of my ordinary lawn laid <i>extraordinary </i>native soil. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNUAppPnHA2Y2pgufOD4iKwzJdLkVfFFVEEu0WY5mY6ZXe-qX261lsWTHkwmsdnY7irfhtJiOO7tmnnr-Ec3ogb0YLKTi-rnlF6ARAa03ctCJibisIVJ_J6miTKnrDHA_zmHVW_MnQH4/s1600/IMG_8214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNUAppPnHA2Y2pgufOD4iKwzJdLkVfFFVEEu0WY5mY6ZXe-qX261lsWTHkwmsdnY7irfhtJiOO7tmnnr-Ec3ogb0YLKTi-rnlF6ARAa03ctCJibisIVJ_J6miTKnrDHA_zmHVW_MnQH4/s400/IMG_8214.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My existing soil is lovely, rich and free of toxins or heavy metals.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh, the luck!! It's a lovely clay loam that's rich in colour and easy to work with a shovel. My friends, it would be criminal not to take advantage of this! I decided that I'd start with 4 beds, each 4' wide by 10' long, separated by 2' of space between them. I'd turn under the sod, add some additional organic matter, and count myself a lucky gal. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3w5TFa-YEP97lMNwsjaKYsFmd8iZ4vskI5tBizY-S4NMrgXV5QeJ76jrJfoAz-Fb0NK1XHBUTZbpZ6HXaxclwuPmILk-cwwmc4xeoikxm-TYiL58CcYtrdI-YlFy6nksuqeG3-QJIyE/s1600/IMG_8215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3w5TFa-YEP97lMNwsjaKYsFmd8iZ4vskI5tBizY-S4NMrgXV5QeJ76jrJfoAz-Fb0NK1XHBUTZbpZ6HXaxclwuPmILk-cwwmc4xeoikxm-TYiL58CcYtrdI-YlFy6nksuqeG3-QJIyE/s400/IMG_8215.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sod is turned over with a spade and I worked it in by hand, filling in large air pockets.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It didn't take long to turn the sod over. I methodically dug a spade-depth down and tossed the sod under, working back and forth across the width of the bed with Arcade Fire providing the soundtrack... not a bad way to burn a few calories! After all of the sod was loosely turned, I went back over it by hand and with a small trowel, setting the chunks into place and filling in any large air pockets and breaking up the biggest chunks of clay. Here's what it looked like after that:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLlNV0K0P0tzLqEAGLntB3LJaJOczk4jVp-sc6tNT6a0rB9vk5iujuPivZxxQDxDJTj4HC5ky8YRO-1Oy9TSI4La91doA5NCfXN0Q1S-plEwlx6RyQCiXQkbRyRi89yuJtRbRYpep8Nk/s1600/IMG_8218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLlNV0K0P0tzLqEAGLntB3LJaJOczk4jVp-sc6tNT6a0rB9vk5iujuPivZxxQDxDJTj4HC5ky8YRO-1Oy9TSI4La91doA5NCfXN0Q1S-plEwlx6RyQCiXQkbRyRi89yuJtRbRYpep8Nk/s400/IMG_8218.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hand-worked soil looked great! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> At this point, some may think, 'Why the hell didn't you just use a tiller?!' Hand-turning soil is tough work, and yes, a tiller would have been much easier. But I think that the easy way isn't always the best way - we're finding that out every day, aren't we? A motorized rototiller rips up the soil in minutes, but the process is pretty violent. I'd have obliterated the helpful earthworms that are in the soil (and I saw LOTS of them - a good sign!) and tilling can cause compaction of the sub-soil, which can inhibit healthy root growth over time. So, I decided to put in the work, save the gas, and now I have beds that will never need to be tilled and will teem with life. Not a bad deal.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yzL9qpaGvecNLXUeotruLxEY3H1xXRuzDWhZ-NtOVuruREBeMt48w_nBzciU3KMd8VOANIbU7tjutTBxgBwVtyaLaZWYyvvEYsnMm8A2hZHwRHAmDZi4X3MwTXy6KvqJktpMYDixGMk/s1600/IMG_8220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yzL9qpaGvecNLXUeotruLxEY3H1xXRuzDWhZ-NtOVuruREBeMt48w_nBzciU3KMd8VOANIbU7tjutTBxgBwVtyaLaZWYyvvEYsnMm8A2hZHwRHAmDZi4X3MwTXy6KvqJktpMYDixGMk/s400/IMG_8220.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organic matter like composed manure further improves the soil.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> With the bed turned and ready to rock, I began adding some extra organic matter to further improve the condition and fertility of the soil. First, I put down a thin layer of newspapers, which I hope will help to inhibit the re-growth of any of the sod. I watered the paper well, and then topped it off with beautiful, black, composted sheep manure. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZKkEAHIs16M7lH2Zj5YRDllAQGZJfaFrbWjQQ2J0gKEC8GyC-Bw-RexJVe_-A-BdldT4CGEpHSnrUe382iCI4IkG9vowPUR1Jbhf44UPSZGLbJaA8dxOuPreu5KRzBYPbCqRErn9D6U/s1600/IMG_8221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZKkEAHIs16M7lH2Zj5YRDllAQGZJfaFrbWjQQ2J0gKEC8GyC-Bw-RexJVe_-A-BdldT4CGEpHSnrUe382iCI4IkG9vowPUR1Jbhf44UPSZGLbJaA8dxOuPreu5KRzBYPbCqRErn9D6U/s400/IMG_8221.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished bed, ready for planting!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, I topped off the whole thing with some loose triple-mix, loaded with more organic matter and bonemeal. The consistency and texture of the new bed is perfect, with well-worked, loose soil that will allow teeny little roots to grow.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2dl2VZPIOD7rI5JyZJKS5yabuP5mQVoUW0NbwofLUntRdOD58tqevnsMxTtuooUCwGmVkxURpjAkzU3xvCzt1pMnBDlBTTQTGmcLd0WJ1zEVUVWhVhS0gQcxvpiXO9eyD8YBEWZg5LM/s1600/IMG_8223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2dl2VZPIOD7rI5JyZJKS5yabuP5mQVoUW0NbwofLUntRdOD58tqevnsMxTtuooUCwGmVkxURpjAkzU3xvCzt1pMnBDlBTTQTGmcLd0WJ1zEVUVWhVhS0gQcxvpiXO9eyD8YBEWZg5LM/s400/IMG_8223.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One down, three to go. Lola Mo knows it's not as easy as it looks.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Three more identical beds will run along the fenceline, and Mo Farm will soon be producing some great food. Starting small like this will allow me to make adjustments and plan carefully for expansion as I go along. I would have loved to turn under the entire lawn... but I know that this is a smart start!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, if it ever stops snowing, the next step is seeding and planting beds 1 & 2 with brassicas, onions, lettuces, and root veggies, to start. Are you in a more fortunate climate than I? What have you planted so far?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the near future, I'll share my planning process with you, and discuss the benefit of my 4-bed system. Until then, happy growing! </span><br />
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-90607118631779534532011-04-08T10:16:00.001-04:002011-04-08T10:16:41.941-04:00I Picture Myself in Summer<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ellaflor.com/wp-content/themes/ellaflor/essences/Honeysuckle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://ellaflor.com/wp-content/themes/ellaflor/essences/Honeysuckle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image borrowed from ellaflor.com</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm making a promise to myself to re-post this on August 19th, when the heat of summer has begun to feel like old news, and I'm tempted to take the smell of sun-warmed honeysuckle for granted.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I picture myself standing barefoot in grass; not soft, but smooth like straw. The leaves of the tomatoes are fragrant from the late afternoon thunderstorm that shook the trees for fifteen minutes and then departed to wreak it's havoc eastward. Golden rays now filter onto my face, dappled from the hulking maple in the neighbours' yard. Beans groan on the trellises, twined thickly and begging to be picked... I know what's for dinner tonight.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kids shout and throw things in the park across the street. I can't see them, but their voices carry to my yard in the humid air, and the dog sits up with ears pricked, but doesn't bark. I bend and pluck halfheartedly at some chickweed in the carrot bed, but at this point in the summer, the plants have won the battle for dominance in the veggie patch and it's little more than idle habit. The garden is a grand and wild spectacle now, with grasses that talk in the evening breezes and coneflowers in a carnival of pinks and oranges that hum with bees. As the storm eases further away, the sun strengthens to awaken the cicadas, and their thrumming songs resume in the trees as they whine to one another.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sweet summer... you're only a breath away. I ache for your warmth and bounty. When you return, I'll welcome you with open arms and heart.</span><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></i><br />
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<br />Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-11816974654704838862011-04-05T14:28:00.002-04:002011-04-05T18:46:50.331-04:00Novella Needs Help<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love Novella Carpenter. I've never met her, I don't know her personally, but after reading her amazing account of turning an abandoned lot in a bad part of Oakland into a thriving little farm in her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Farm-City-Novella-Carpenter/dp/1594202214/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302027460&sr=8-2">Farm City</a>, I <i>felt </i>like I knew her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, Novella's in trouble. If you've been following the saga in the blogs, I'll spare you the details, but basically the city of Oakland is slapping her with a fine for unauthorized use of her land and she needs to purchase a $2500 permit in order to sell her produce, or face shutting down the farm. With about $2500 being the amount that she makes in a year of selling her surplus in a pop-up stand, you can see the conundrum. You can read the whole story <a href="http://ghosttownfarm.wordpress.com/">on her blog here</a>, and if you've got a few extra bucks that you can spare via PayPal, I'm sure it would be appreciated.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Novella is a hero to me, and she's been a source of inspiration to countless thousands of others just like me. If I can help in any way, you can be damn sure that I will. </span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224000636560964124.post-11031667083626260872011-04-02T07:36:00.000-04:002011-04-02T07:36:24.755-04:00A Back-Up Plan<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treeandtwig.ca/img/all_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.treeandtwig.ca/img/all_logo.gif" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda at Tree & Twig Heirlooms will host her annual Tomato Days event on the May long weekend this year.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Everyone needs one, whether for a little bit of insurance in case something happens to your seedlings, or in the case that you read the last post and thought... to hell with that! If you're not into the idea of growing your own veggies and fruits from seed, there is certainly no reason that you can't get into the fun of having a garden this season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the May long weekend, </span><a href="http://www.treeandtwig.ca/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda at Tree & Twig Heirlooms</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> will host her annual Tomato Days sale, where unthinkable numbers of tomato seedlings will be available to purchase, along with other started veggies. I won't be able to resist expanding my collection, but for others, the event presents a unique opportunity to get in on the grow-your-own action and to meet others who want to do the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check out Linda's <a href="http://treeandtwigheirlooms.blogspot.com/2011/04/tomato-days-2011-may-21-22.html">post on her blog </a>about Tomato Days, and mark it on your calendar! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kris Mohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09931265448216559469noreply@blogger.com2