Unexpected change in plans - I have come down with the same crud that my husband has had for a week. This means I will not be able to be at the market this morning. It could likely not be conducive to my recovery and I'm sure the customers wouldn't appreciate my presence either.
Hopefully, I will be well enough to set up next Saturday. Sorry for any inconvenience...
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
St. Alban's Market 4/27/13
For those of you checking my blog, I will be at the St. Alban's Market this coming Saturday (4/27/13) from 10 a.m until 1 p.m. EST. Since there is rain in the forecast, I will be bringing only plants. Understandably, wet weather has a tendency to adversely affect my non-plant products.
I will have culinary and medicinal herbs, scented geraniums, butterfly bush, and horseradish.
The market is at St. Alban's Epsicopal Church which is located on Hixson Pike, just north of Thrasher Pike and Gold Point Circle (road to Chester Frost Park).
Note: If there are storms in the area, I will not be there. Selling plants or any other product is not worth being struck by lightning...
I will have culinary and medicinal herbs, scented geraniums, butterfly bush, and horseradish.
The market is at St. Alban's Epsicopal Church which is located on Hixson Pike, just north of Thrasher Pike and Gold Point Circle (road to Chester Frost Park).
Note: If there are storms in the area, I will not be there. Selling plants or any other product is not worth being struck by lightning...
Monday, April 22, 2013
Master Your Garden Expo was GREAT!
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Hamilton County Master Gardener's Expo this past weekend! Once again, the weekend was so much more than I ever expected. It was nice to reconnect with those I hadn't seen in a while as well as meet new friends.
Major kudos to Sue Henley and Patsy Boles for their efforts in pulling it all together - they did a fantastic job! If there were any glitches in the execution of the event, they certainly didn't show.
I hurriedly took this picture before customers arrived. The booths were 10x10, so I had to cram a lot into a small space and still leave a means of 'escape'! This girl is way too old to be jumping tables - HA! I was in an excellent location and had very nice booth neighbors.
Even though I have been running a month and a half behind in the greenhouse, the spurts of nice weather and sunshine seemed to give the plants the boost they needed. When almost everything is from seed or cuttings, there is no way to 'rush' the process. That is perhaps the most frustrating part of the growth process. It's not like you can grab them by their little leaves and pull them up to the size you need. In addition, there are always 'critters' that like to show up at the most inopportune times! However, that is all a part of the natural process, particularly if you try to grow sustainably/organically. As my Dad would have said, "the bugs have to eat, too." I just try to make sure I deal with them so you don't have to!
Major kudos to Sue Henley and Patsy Boles for their efforts in pulling it all together - they did a fantastic job! If there were any glitches in the execution of the event, they certainly didn't show.
I hurriedly took this picture before customers arrived. The booths were 10x10, so I had to cram a lot into a small space and still leave a means of 'escape'! This girl is way too old to be jumping tables - HA! I was in an excellent location and had very nice booth neighbors.
I had a variety of goods for folks to choose from, and choose they did! I sold out of several things and had to replenish the plant supply for the second day of the show. It was also encouraging that my new t-shirt designs were a hit as well. In addition, I handed out every single business card I brought!
Even though I have been running a month and a half behind in the greenhouse, the spurts of nice weather and sunshine seemed to give the plants the boost they needed. When almost everything is from seed or cuttings, there is no way to 'rush' the process. That is perhaps the most frustrating part of the growth process. It's not like you can grab them by their little leaves and pull them up to the size you need. In addition, there are always 'critters' that like to show up at the most inopportune times! However, that is all a part of the natural process, particularly if you try to grow sustainably/organically. As my Dad would have said, "the bugs have to eat, too." I just try to make sure I deal with them so you don't have to!
Now it's time for rest to prepare for another day of work. I am feeling very blessed indeed and am looking forward to creating more products, growing more plants and participating in more opportunities.
Until next time, stay Down To Earth!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Great Weekend at Crabtree Farms
Crabtree Farms is a rural oasis in an urban setting. Located just south of downtown Chattanooga, they have been in existence since 1998. From their website description:
"The mission of Crabtree Farms is to connect Chattanoogans with our local foodshed. Crabtree Farms serves the greater Chattanooga community through education and advocacy programs that teach about growing food sustainably and choosing local produce."
They have a number of events throughout the year, with one being the Spring Plant Sale. This past weekend, I participated in that event as a vendor. It was a stellar weekend. The staff and volunteers were very helpful and accommodating. Even the weather was agreeable until the last 30 minutes on Sunday - then the wind picked up and it started to rain - but still not bad, considering the potential for volatile spring weather in the Southeast.
Mark always says "Go big or go home", so I went big. I packed as many plants as I could into the back of the SUV and he helped out with tables, tent, etc. in the truck. My display had been updated to reflect my 'brand colors' and I had a variety of non-plant products to add to the mix. I was also
able to get a few market totes decorated with my logo and my new 'Garden Girl' graphic. Saturday was sunny and relatively mild with a non-stop stream of customers. There's no doubt that the sunshine contributed to 'plant fever'. People of all ages were buying plants of all kinds, ranging from edibles to ornamentals. There were boxes of various sizes along with little red wagons, all filled to capacity. Before noon, I was calling for reinforcements and Mark brought another wave of plants. After I got home Saturday afternoon, I loaded up additional plants to fill the voids on Sunday morning. Sunday ended up being an overcast and much cooler day than originally expected, but there was still a decent crowd. I was also pleased that I sold several of my non-plant products. It was a lot of fun and a more profitable weekend than I had expected!
"The mission of Crabtree Farms is to connect Chattanoogans with our local foodshed. Crabtree Farms serves the greater Chattanooga community through education and advocacy programs that teach about growing food sustainably and choosing local produce."
They have a number of events throughout the year, with one being the Spring Plant Sale. This past weekend, I participated in that event as a vendor. It was a stellar weekend. The staff and volunteers were very helpful and accommodating. Even the weather was agreeable until the last 30 minutes on Sunday - then the wind picked up and it started to rain - but still not bad, considering the potential for volatile spring weather in the Southeast.
Mark always says "Go big or go home", so I went big. I packed as many plants as I could into the back of the SUV and he helped out with tables, tent, etc. in the truck. My display had been updated to reflect my 'brand colors' and I had a variety of non-plant products to add to the mix. I was also
able to get a few market totes decorated with my logo and my new 'Garden Girl' graphic. Saturday was sunny and relatively mild with a non-stop stream of customers. There's no doubt that the sunshine contributed to 'plant fever'. People of all ages were buying plants of all kinds, ranging from edibles to ornamentals. There were boxes of various sizes along with little red wagons, all filled to capacity. Before noon, I was calling for reinforcements and Mark brought another wave of plants. After I got home Saturday afternoon, I loaded up additional plants to fill the voids on Sunday morning. Sunday ended up being an overcast and much cooler day than originally expected, but there was still a decent crowd. I was also pleased that I sold several of my non-plant products. It was a lot of fun and a more profitable weekend than I had expected!
I also had great booth neighbors with great products. On one side was Rising Dawn Boutique (www.RisingDawnBoutique.com). This lovely young lady makes hand-tooled jewelry out of metal, wire, various stones, crochet and other mediums. On the other side was Sequatchie Valley Institute (www.svionline.org). They had glass work, ironwork, hand-applied batik, tie-dye and other offerings. Their organization is involved in sustainable living education and they incorporate the craft and artwork into that multi-faceted endeavor.
Crabtree Farms also has other event during the year, including a Fall Plant Sale that will be on my calendar as a try-hard-to-do! Check them out at www.crabtreefarms.org.
As always, keep digging in the dirt and stay Down To Earth!
Pat
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Ready to Grow!
We've had soooo much rain! I was beginning to worry about being able to till the garden spot. Although the soil has been amended, it can still hold plenty of moisture for a very long time. While this is good for growing, it's not so good when it's time to till. I checked a couple of spots with a shovel late Saturday afternoon and, unbelievably, it was a go! Grabbing a rake to go along with the shovel, I raced to clear leftover debris while Mark fired up the John Deere. Just as it began to rain AGAIN, the first turn of the garden spot was done. That's what I call teamwork!
I had used newspaper and mulch to suppress weed growth between the rows. It now serves its second purpose of continuing to contribute to the amendment of the soil. Prior to planting we will likely add a bit of sand and some compost and till that in as well.
I've already started plotting out what will go where. Rotation of crop types in a garden is important. With simple rotation, you can manage disease control, insect infestations, and soil nutrient balance. A quick Internet search can provide all you want to know, from the simplest to the most elaborate plan.
It seems around greenhouses and gardens, you can never have too many wheelbarrows. Case in point, both my 'good' wheelbarrows were full and I had to grab an old one that belonged to my Dad. I'm really not sure how old this one was, but it soon showed its age...and croaked...right in the middle of a relatively light task.
Needless to say, that puppy won't roll! We haven't decided yet if we will try to resurrect it or just use it as a planter of sorts. It has seen plenty of action over many years and even has a piece of sheet metal in the bottom from a previous repair. Perhaps it's just time to give it a place of honor and let it literally 'push up daisies'!
More exciting things to come...Stay 'Down To Earth'!
 |
| Mark finishing the tilling on the old John Deere
|
I've already started plotting out what will go where. Rotation of crop types in a garden is important. With simple rotation, you can manage disease control, insect infestations, and soil nutrient balance. A quick Internet search can provide all you want to know, from the simplest to the most elaborate plan.
It seems around greenhouses and gardens, you can never have too many wheelbarrows. Case in point, both my 'good' wheelbarrows were full and I had to grab an old one that belonged to my Dad. I'm really not sure how old this one was, but it soon showed its age...and croaked...right in the middle of a relatively light task.
Needless to say, that puppy won't roll! We haven't decided yet if we will try to resurrect it or just use it as a planter of sorts. It has seen plenty of action over many years and even has a piece of sheet metal in the bottom from a previous repair. Perhaps it's just time to give it a place of honor and let it literally 'push up daisies'!
More exciting things to come...Stay 'Down To Earth'!
Just Say NO to GMO's
Soapbox time...
I am truly appalled with questionable science being railroaded through the system. Biology aside, common sense should tell you that genetically altering crops that are eventually either digested directly by us or digested by animals then eaten by us cannot be a good thing. Our bodies recognize 'normal' food. What happens when our bodies are confronted with a Frankenfood to digest? I say no one knows.
Bills have passed and signatures have dried, but don't stop raising a ruckus about our right to safe, normal food and the right to know what we are eating. Do your research, read both sides, learn exactly what is done to create GMO's. Learn as much as you can to avoid these foods and do what you can to select non-GMO food.
I fear that it is too late - but please keep fighting the good fight.
I am truly appalled with questionable science being railroaded through the system. Biology aside, common sense should tell you that genetically altering crops that are eventually either digested directly by us or digested by animals then eaten by us cannot be a good thing. Our bodies recognize 'normal' food. What happens when our bodies are confronted with a Frankenfood to digest? I say no one knows.
Bills have passed and signatures have dried, but don't stop raising a ruckus about our right to safe, normal food and the right to know what we are eating. Do your research, read both sides, learn exactly what is done to create GMO's. Learn as much as you can to avoid these foods and do what you can to select non-GMO food.
I fear that it is too late - but please keep fighting the good fight.
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