This is so exciting:
Monthly Archive for April, 2010
E and I finished watching Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution tonight (thanks to Hulu). I have mixed feelings about the show, but I completely agree that our country needs massive reform when it comes to food, and particularly instiutional food.
As we finished watching the last episode, I felt outrage that we think so little of ourselves as human beings, that we allow our children to be fed crap. I’m disappointed that the Federal Government has lost sight of what is important (I’m looking at you, USDA). I find myself half-hoping for some catastrophic disaster that forces us to go back to preindustrial farming.
I know that there are a lot of people who are interested in this topic, so I am not alone. I hope we are at the beginning of a massive change that will affect us now, and not just my grandchildren.
When I checked on the cold frame this evening, I discovered that one of the leaves of my Zinnia seedlings was a bit torn. On closer inspection I realized that something was eating the leaf. As I moved the light over the seedling tray, I saw the evil creature! A small slug was relaxing on the side of one of the peat pellets!! OUT, OUT, damned slug!
I have to remember that I’m not starting seeds inside, and there are different rules in the wild. I flung the damned thing away… actually, I wiped it off on the outside of the box… ACTUALLY, I kind of smooshed it on the outside of the box. I’m mean that way. 
I will be buying beer on the way home tomorrow. There will be trays of beer on both sides of the box, and there will be slug death.
My friends know that I have a problem when it comes to containers. I love containers, and I’m pretty sure that The Container Store was invented just to torture me. Currently I am on a search for the perfect sandwich container.
I haven’t found the perfect container yet, but I am close. I’m looking for a container that would allow me to carry my sandwich fillings separately from the bread until I’m ready to eat. I hate soggy sandwiches! While I was searching Bed, Bath, and Beyond this evening, I found this.
Yes, that’s right, an egg container. I happen to love containers AND deviled eggs. I often bring deviled eggs to pot-luck parties. Lately I’ve been using arugula as a bed for the eggs so they don’t slide around during travel. The arugula doubles as a tasty nibble, which is really nice, but oh how I would love an Egg-Tainer of my very own!
Disaster struck today, and I have no one else to blame but myself. I forgot to open the lid on the cold frame before I left for work this morning. Many of the transplants that I set up on Saturday probably won’t make it. So. Sad.
I like fuzzy, chubby foliage.
And if the plant is a bit weird? All the better!
Check out Black Swamp Girl’s blog for more information on Foliage Friday.
Today I set out the second tray of seeds. Included were:
Eggplant ‘Rosa Bianca’
Sweet Peas ‘Heirloom Cupid’
Four o’Clocks
Calendula
Zinnias
Balsam
Scabiosa
Dill
Basil
Alpine Strawberries
Malva ‘Mystic Merlin’
For more information on varieties and progress, please check out my Folia garden page.
Yesterday I planted about 2/3 of my packet of ‘Spitfire’ Nasturtiums for the GROW Project. I put 1/3 in the big pot just outside our front door. The other plant that currently resides in that pot is the Chrysanthemum that E bought this past fall. It occurs to me that I probably should have taken some time to see if Chrysanthemums have some sort of growth inhibitor properties. Ah well.
I planted the other 1/3 of my Nasties along the stairs that lead up to the front of my house. I’d like some color there, and the orange-y red should look nice with the summer bulbs that I planted. Don’t ask what the bulbs are because I have no recollection. They might be the Brodiea laxa that I planted too late last year, and ended up moving several times.
I planted some of the Nasturtiums in the planter along the stairs, and some in the new yard. I’ll be experimenting with climbing vs. trailing. It will be interesting to see the difference. I haven’t decided what to do with the last third. I might just hang on to them for next year.
If you are reading this and you are one of the other GROW members and you have an account on Folia, I’d love to connect up. Feel free to leave a comment with your Folia username or add me as a friend on Folia (trueepicure).
I’m growing Nasturtium “Spitfire” for the GROW project. Thanks, to Renee’s Garden for the seeds.
