Getting Back to Sun & Soil

 
Is there any better feeling? 

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.

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.  


It feels good to be back.


What are you growing this year?

Spring?

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.

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 this post from last year for everything you need to sow & grow from seed!  And stay tuned... because Spring is here!

 

Homegrown Holidays

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.

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.

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.

How are you decorating for the holidays?

Bountiful Fall

Farewell, Sweet Summer...

I kissed the summer goodbye with a hike in beautiful Shorthills Provincial Park last weekend. Sigh.