Bit by BIt I am restarting my garden

Well today I dug around in a little patch of my garden and decided to plant some potatoes that had already sprouted in the kitchen.

Beginning

Here is what the "site" looked like when I started.  As you can see I had worked in the raised bed area earlier and will blog about that soon.

It was just simple digging however, while I was digging I found many friends to help me. 

My Friend

I used to think that my spirit animal was a dolphin. However, I absolutely love it when I see these sweet little things pop up. It means that the soil is improving.  Yeah!

I also found this cute little thing when I was cleaning out the area.  I transplanted it to another part of the garden and hope it takes.  It is amazing that it just came up from something I planted in the fall..

Buttercrunch is my favorite

Not Kansas

Well, I now have seen something corny :-)

I first noticed this on my corn stalk and had no idea what it was.  Is this what makes the ear of corn?  I thought it was cool. These must be the kernels before they get pollinated or something.

It has been so hot here thought that I have slept late and hadn't been in the garden for a while.  When I finally returned, here is what I saw.

It had turned into that antenna thing that I always see at the top of corn.  I do have an ear of corn forming with the silks and everything. WooHoo!

Here is the other stalk.  As you can tell, it isn't as high as an elephant's eye but hey, I will take what I can get right now.

A Dirty Movie

Well, Daisy Janie has done it again. She told me about Dirt! The Movie that is available to watch on Hulu.com
1) Jamie Lee Curtis, my fav, narrates this movie.
2) It isn't one of the dry, preachy movies but gets its point across
3) Speaks to Nobel Prize Winners, Harvard professors, and brought up points that I never thought about.

Digby

There are several popular gardening trends that I do not like and after watching this movie, I felt better about the decisions I have made.
It also echoed the Back to Eden video that I recently watched and wrote about.

another first

Last year I was reading an article in a magazine about using eggshells as seed starters. They are biodegradable and are a source of calcium.  I finally decided to try it.  I have been saving shells for a while in the refrigerator.  I think you are suppose to wash them to get any remaining yolk or white out.
I put soil in the eggshells and added the seeds and watered.

that is a stick not a worm :-)

As you can see, the egg carton is made of clear, plastic. I am hoping this is an added bonus and will act as a terrarium and help the seeds sprout.

Hope this will help the seeds and soil stay moist

The only other drawbacks were that:
1) there is no drainage hole so I don't know if I overwatered

not the neatest I have planted

2) if a seed needed lots of depth (1 inch or more) it was difficult to find that much room

New additions

We have had alot of rain lately, so my seedlings have sprouted.  I feel like I am late in planting these but I am always amazed at what Mother Nature can do.

Kohlrabi is planted. Now, what is it?

It is amazing to think that you put this little bitty seed, that you can barely see, add water and some fertilizer, and it comes something you can eat.

Carrots for Easter

I am learning that things do get better over time.  If only I can have the patience until May?

Living on the edge

Bottom and side of my garden

I am trying something new with my garden. Every year I hate having to dig out the outline of the plot.  I was reading another blog and they talked about using cardboard to cut weeds.  What I have done is to dig out the garden dirt and then place down a layer of cardboard.  I then refill the area with the dirt, after I have taken out the weeds and rocks.  Finally, I place the ceramic tile pieces on top.  I am hoping that this will keep the weeds at bay.
Anyone have any information about this?