So... HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :D
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloweeny!
I'm following suit of some fellow bloggers. Happy Halloween wishes and a nifty picture.
So... HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :D
So... HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :D
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Seeds!
Well, they're here.
Now... I have to build the beds. I don't have a ton of space or any experience so I have a feeling this weekend is going to be a cluster f***. I'll be trying to plan, measure, buy, build and prep. I can't decide if I want to get the whole lot planned out or just one bed to start. I have no idea how much materials will cost and wish I could find some used scraps lying around instead.
I also just realized that I ought to think about keeping the paths that will run between the beds clear of weeds. I can't imagine trying to get the weed whacker in between them, fighting the cord all the while so it doesn't tear down my plants.
I have a huge pile of wood chips at my disposal though so I might just throw a thick mat of that down to start and see how that works. Really I won't have to worry about much weed growth at all for the next few months.
Anyway, I'm apprehensive and excited. I really hope that by the end of the weekend I've got what is in my head reflected back at me in my front yard.
Wish me luck!
Now... I have to build the beds. I don't have a ton of space or any experience so I have a feeling this weekend is going to be a cluster f***. I'll be trying to plan, measure, buy, build and prep. I can't decide if I want to get the whole lot planned out or just one bed to start. I have no idea how much materials will cost and wish I could find some used scraps lying around instead.
I also just realized that I ought to think about keeping the paths that will run between the beds clear of weeds. I can't imagine trying to get the weed whacker in between them, fighting the cord all the while so it doesn't tear down my plants.
I have a huge pile of wood chips at my disposal though so I might just throw a thick mat of that down to start and see how that works. Really I won't have to worry about much weed growth at all for the next few months.
Anyway, I'm apprehensive and excited. I really hope that by the end of the weekend I've got what is in my head reflected back at me in my front yard.
Wish me luck!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Victory Garden, Freedom Garden, Front Yard Garden, Whatever
I'm putting in a vegetable garden. The back yard is dog space and too shady so the front yard gets the tilling. I have ideas of how I want to put the beds in and how to plant the seeds I've purchased but just like everything else, we'll see how it looks when it is all said and done.
I bought Broccoli, Carrots, Corn, Cowpeas, Lettuce, Okra, Onion, Spinach and Tomato seeds. They are all heirloom so I hope to plant the following year's crop from seeds that come off of these plants. I'm also looking to add in Garlic, Pumpkin and Zucchini but I haven't found/purchased those seeds yet. I need to find the garlic ASAP since it is a bulb and needs to go in the ground this fall.
I'm really looking forward to doing this. If I weren't headed out of town this weekend I'd be spending it measuring the areas I plan to plant and researching how I'm going to build the beds. I want to make it look as nice as possible but of course be functional as well.
I know there will be much trial and error but you have to start somewhere! I figure in a few years’ time I'll look back at the beginnings and laugh at the silly noobie mistakes I've made. Feel free to point me in the right direction if you see photos or read comments about what I'm doing that don't seem quite right. I don't mind folks passing on knowledge!
Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll post an update on this project with photos of sad little brown beds, ready and waiting for seeds and plants.
Also, I'd like to suggest that if you aren't doing something similar, contemplate it. It's a good thing to do for many reasons. It's better for you health wise, money wise and better for the environment since you won't be contributing to shipping in foods that you'd normally buy at the store.
Photo found at www.nebraskastudies.org
Just something to think about. Times are a changing, and in my opinion, they really ought to be.
I bought Broccoli, Carrots, Corn, Cowpeas, Lettuce, Okra, Onion, Spinach and Tomato seeds. They are all heirloom so I hope to plant the following year's crop from seeds that come off of these plants. I'm also looking to add in Garlic, Pumpkin and Zucchini but I haven't found/purchased those seeds yet. I need to find the garlic ASAP since it is a bulb and needs to go in the ground this fall.
I'm really looking forward to doing this. If I weren't headed out of town this weekend I'd be spending it measuring the areas I plan to plant and researching how I'm going to build the beds. I want to make it look as nice as possible but of course be functional as well.
I know there will be much trial and error but you have to start somewhere! I figure in a few years’ time I'll look back at the beginnings and laugh at the silly noobie mistakes I've made. Feel free to point me in the right direction if you see photos or read comments about what I'm doing that don't seem quite right. I don't mind folks passing on knowledge!
Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll post an update on this project with photos of sad little brown beds, ready and waiting for seeds and plants.
Also, I'd like to suggest that if you aren't doing something similar, contemplate it. It's a good thing to do for many reasons. It's better for you health wise, money wise and better for the environment since you won't be contributing to shipping in foods that you'd normally buy at the store.
Photo found at www.nebraskastudies.org
Just something to think about. Times are a changing, and in my opinion, they really ought to be.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
brighterplanet.com
You may have noticed my 360 Challenge badge in the left column. It's for a website that "is dedicated to helping you take charge in the fight against global warming and build a clean-energy future.
They're currently holding a Climate Matters video contest that was developed to inspire the next President to take action on climate change.
This is one of the video submissions.
This Lawn is Your Lawn from roger doiron on Vimeo.
Climate does matter. What can you do?
They're currently holding a Climate Matters video contest that was developed to inspire the next President to take action on climate change.
This is one of the video submissions.
This Lawn is Your Lawn from roger doiron on Vimeo.
Climate does matter. What can you do?
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
The Back Patio
I blogged back in July about adding on to the back patio. It said that we'd add the 16"x16" pavers "in the next few weekends." Well, it was more like twelve weekends, but, we started the next step!
We needed to add 7 rows to extend the porch to where we wanted it and we were able to get down 4 of those rows.
Before
After
With a little bit of adjusting and three more rows the porch will now run the length of that wall of the house. What once was an 8'x8' patio will now be an 8'x20' patio.
It has a very hodgepodge look for sure though. We found 25 gray pavers in the lot of a house that is going to be torn down. Since they were a different style and size than the ones that were already there, we had to get creative with the layout design. Also, to reach the 20 foot length we wanted, we had to buy additional pavers but I wasn't able to find them in gray. I only found them in red, so the design took on a whole new look.
September 2007
October 2008
It turns out that we're going to need 2 more gray ones however, but I'm pretty sure I know where to find some. Otherwise we'll have to rethink our design and do some additional work to move around what has already been laid.
Regardless, I'm looking forward to getting those last 3 rows down and organizing the items we have out there in a nice and inviting way. We hope to use the space in cooler weather for friend and family gatherings.
We needed to add 7 rows to extend the porch to where we wanted it and we were able to get down 4 of those rows.
Before
After
With a little bit of adjusting and three more rows the porch will now run the length of that wall of the house. What once was an 8'x8' patio will now be an 8'x20' patio.
It has a very hodgepodge look for sure though. We found 25 gray pavers in the lot of a house that is going to be torn down. Since they were a different style and size than the ones that were already there, we had to get creative with the layout design. Also, to reach the 20 foot length we wanted, we had to buy additional pavers but I wasn't able to find them in gray. I only found them in red, so the design took on a whole new look.
September 2007
October 2008
It turns out that we're going to need 2 more gray ones however, but I'm pretty sure I know where to find some. Otherwise we'll have to rethink our design and do some additional work to move around what has already been laid.
Regardless, I'm looking forward to getting those last 3 rows down and organizing the items we have out there in a nice and inviting way. We hope to use the space in cooler weather for friend and family gatherings.
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