mid spring ramblings.

We have been playing catch up in the garden. The late frosts and ongoing rain have put us about 2 weeks behind our regular planting schedule. My babied eggplants were victims of a late frost 2 weeks ago - despite being planted in raised beds on black landscape fabric. The remaining warm weather veggies survived despite their legginess - warm on the windowsills - under grow lights - leaning towards the sun. Most of them found homes in the garden this week - the rest will have to wait patiently. The ongoing rain and cold temperatures are interfering with my best laid plans and I find myself getting frustrated with the progress of work. Slow - Slow - Slow.

I prioritized the Vegetable garden and have most of it planted with only 1/4 remaining to be sheet mulched - as soon as I gather materials. Winter Squash and Beans will go in as soon as the corn is tall enough - probably the next week or so. The summer squashes are already knee high and I am anticipating stuffed squash blossoms for dinner by mid June.

My french melons have been a complete bust with bad germination rates and the birds devouring most of the remaining - so I will have to make due with those I beg from friends or buy from a local greenhouse. Despite my appreciation for Seed Savers Exchange - I find myself cursing them as the melons did not germinate -(4 seedlings from an entire packet) the tomatoes (Amish paste - my favorite) had a virus - frustrating at this point - when it really is too late. I had anticipated selling these French Melons at the Farmers Market in Bloomington - Hopefully, those that make it will suffice - I will pamper them and hope for the best.

It seems to me that this is an issue we often face here. Organic - or not organic. Build ourselves - Grow ourselves - Make ourselves - or find other providers. Basically how to be an idealist - while not being fanatical and make ourselves crazy in the process.

After years of debate it has narrowed down to two questions - "What will this cost me in $ and/or time", "What will this save us in $ and/or time - in the long haul".

This is the sort of dialog which used to occur -
If, for instance, at Thanksgiving a store bought turkey is $.89 a pound.

"Would We be able to raise a Turkey at this cost"
"Do we have the facilities in place to raise a Turkey"
"What would the additional cost of creating such facilities be?"
"Is there an organic grower in the area We could purchase from?"
if so, "What is the cost to purchase from him?"
"Would he be willing to barter or exchange goods or services"
"What does a Turkey Hunting Permit Cost?"


We have been having a fairly steady flow of food from the garden for almost 2 months now. No snow peas however as the majority do not even make it to the house the kids devour them in the garden. The asparagus seems to be slowing down for now - its dill like fronds are now - as tall as I am.

A typical dinner for the menu plan this month - consists of Beet greens sauteed in fruit infused olive oil, asparagus (savory bread pudding, roasted, quiche - innumerable variety), fresh leaf lettuces with feta, dried fruit and nuts, with Chicken or Deer Chops.