WOW … this used to be a lilac bush!

And was pretty awful so I cut it down years ago but look at the stump…  it’s huge!!  How do I get that sucker out??

TO DO!

 

Strawberries….

no wait…  cucumbers….
no wait…  squash….
no wait…  tomatoes…..

…so many ideas…  so few pallets!

 

  

The first greens from the yard!!

And my salad…  ok…  presentation isn’t my thing – it goes to the same place regardless of how it looks going in… 

    

the first PEPPER!!!

Next will be the straw!

…. after more cardboard!!!   And then squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, and watermelon!

Thanks Kate for the boxes!

it’s all a work in progress….

…and most likely will be for a LONG time….  so the blocks were 5 cents each or maybe 10 from ReStore and the marigolds are there because they do something helpful that escapes me at the moment.  The raised bed with the white frame has a tomato plant and will have carrots and the other with the hula hoops have pepper plants.  cool huh?!!

Score….

Craigslist!  ….and guess what…  it was a former student who posted it on Facebook!

 

Raspberry bushes…

I think I finally came up with a location I’m happy with for the raspberry bushes.. 

    

This certainly didn’t work!

Rhubarb!!!!!

Thanks Rosie

Add on….  days later…  love this picture below with the fence AND this recipe sounds awesome!! 

This recipe makes approximately 12 muffins, but if I were you, I'd make a double batch so you can tuck the extras in your freezer for snacking or a quick breakfast on the go. Thanks Mavis!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup applesauce {my favorite applesauce recipe}
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk {how to make buttermilk}
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups rhubarb, diced
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Ingredients for the Topping

1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven 350 degrees.  Line muffin tins with muffin/cupcake liners.

Combine dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir in the wet ingredients, just until blended. Fold in the rhubarb and walnuts. Drop in to muffin cups so the muffin cups are 2/3 full. Combine topping ingredients together in a small bowl and sprinkle over muffins. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes.

Watering system…

….for a square foot garden!!

 

1/2" PVC tubing and cut it into 18x 10-3/4" lengths 6x 9-1/4" lengths 2x 2-2/1" lengths.
9. cross connectors   2. 90° Elbows   1. PVC Reducer Male Adapter 3/4" MNPT x 1/2” Slip. 2. Male Slip Adapter 1/2" x 1/2"     2. 1/2" Threaded cap.     9. Slip on PVC caps. for each grid

 

I like the connected sides on the one below.

 

Ideas from the Square Foot Gardening Forum

Straw to the rescue!

…so we’ll see how it works… 

First there is 1/4 inch wire to keep the critters out.  Next there is cardboard, then sticks and logs, then yard mulch, them more cardboard, then dirt and compost, and then the straw!  Next divide into square feet and plant the stuff already in containers on the porch!

 

And, of course, Jake and Brita had to get involved.  They really do like riding in the van when I’m traveling around in the yard

 

.

Dirt Digger…

That was me yesterday!  So I calculated it …  multiplied length x width x height of containers (estimated but used rule) and came up with 48 cubic feet which is 1 3/4 cubic yards.. about…  This morning I looked that up and I’m reading 1 cubic yard  of dirt weighs anywhere from 2000 to 2700 pounds!  Is that right????  Which means that I schlepped over 3000 pounds of dirt!

NO WONDER I was tired!!! 

some say they will….

…others say marigolds won’t help your garden plants….  I’ll plant them anyway in case the yessers are right!