January To Do's

Yes, it's cold (or is it? today?), but there are plenty of things to do in the
garden and in preparation for the upcoming growing season...









Here are a few things to keep you busy:

• feed the birds!
  
• dream. dream of what you'll be doing in the garden Feb/Mar.
• make a list of veggies, herbs and flowers you did not plant in 2010.
• prepare your garden beds now to be ready for planting in late Feb/March
  
• start a garden diary or blog. Make a sketch of your garden spot now, and add in what you'd like to plant this spring.
• plant fruit trees when available.
• buy seeds: beets, carrots, lettuce, english peas, radishes, spinach for planting late this month, early Feb. Get seed trays ready for tomatoes, peppers and eggplant to be started indoors.
  
• keep your pansies, snaps, and ornamental kale watered!
• don't massacre your shrubs yet unless you want to look at it until warm weather arrives!
• send me some of your garden goals for 2011.
• join us for "TheDirt" video chat on Thursday, January 20th at noon.

Blessings from the Garden.
ML

Farm Update

8.2.10

Amazing what rain does to the garden! First, I was worried the “gulley washers” had washed the pumpkins away, but that is not the case. The combination of rain and heat has been key to on target performance, so far.

There are blossoms galore on the “Orange Bulldog” pumpkin plants, and the zinnias, sunflowers, celosia and broom corn are in full force! All this growth requires cutting, fertilizing and careful inspection. The heat & humidity combo could bring mildew, fungus and other nasties, so it’s critical to observe at least twice a week.

The bees are CRAZY in their hive, drawing comb and making honey!

My Canon EOS 50D and lens were returned from repair last week, so I was able to capture this week’s update…

Blessings from the Garden

ML

November To-Do's

Aside from raking up leaves, blowing twice a day, and

being pelleted by acorns, we do have some work to do!

• plant pansies, snapdragons, sweet allysum, use pansy mate (or miracle gro organic) for fertilizing
• time for tree and shrub planting, too
• divide daylillies, monkeygrass(liriope), blackeyed Susans, hostas to fill in or share with someone
• buy seeds to plant now! hollyhock, larkspur, California poppy for envious bloom in spring
• buy and plant spring flowering bulbs! daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, tulips
• plant amaryllis and narcissus bulbs to force inside- great gifts...
• last chance to cut that basil, put inside in vase until ready to make pesto
• sign up for WreathWorkshop!
• Wake me up, I can't believe there are only 2 weeks to T-Day!

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Farm Catch Up...

I feel the need to catch up on Hagler Farm News since many who read this are interested in our pumpkins!

I(that's me, by myself, no helper people!) created 125 twelve inch high hills for our delightful pumpkins this past weekend. It took about 3 hours of hoeing to get the hills done in the field, then (with the help of my children!) planted 5 or 6 pumpkin seeds in each hill...

Now is the time to plant pumps if you are going to give it a shot. I am trying some true French Cinderella pumpkins and white pumps, too.

No camera this time, but the soil was perfect , like cake flour! Robert spent two weekends getting the fields ready for pumps, flowers, fruit and veggies....

The plan is to host a "U-Pick" in early October. That depends on God and the deer!

We have a couple of groups(ladies) coming in September for "FlowerCamp", a half-day of learning what works, harvesting, and creating fun floral designs to take home!

Will get pics asap...

see you.
ML

Spring Garden Challenge 2009

Hello All.

Great weekend to plan your Spring Garden

for the MLCHgarden Challenge 2009! The economy

and "going green" have inspired many of us to grow our

own this spring/summer. Here are ideas and guidelines to

get you started...

Guidelines
1. Pick out your garden spot. Make sure it's a sunny area, easy to get to and easy to water.
Can be a container, small area in yard, large field or whatever space you choose!

2. Make a list of your favorite veggies. Talk to family about what they like to eat.

3.Check out this website for a Georgia veggie planting calendar

http://agr.georgia.gov/vgn/images/portal/cit_1210/24/47/48034968Spring%20veg%20chart%202009.pdf

4. Work on your soil. Check to see if your potential garden spot is fertile soil or clay. You can add organic material such as manure or peat moss. I've had great success with Miracle Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix, if you are using containers.

5. Post your progress & questions on this blog or email me mlchgarden@comcast.net

the girls on the farm.

Ideas to get you started!

What to grow?

3 Sisters Garden...corn squash beans

Herbs! Easy and fairly drought tolerant & available now at garden centers.

Salad Makins ....lettuce (plant now!) tomatoes, onions, basil, cucumbers

Send me your ideas!

ML