Crystal Madrilejos

From the start, there was no question that we were going to have an organic garden. And one of the most crucial elements of an organic garden is organic compost. My parents have composted kitchen scraps as long as I can remember so the notion of saving kitchen scraps was nothing new to me. But once we started reading up on the correct way to make compost, that’s when our heads started to spin.

Basically, there are a million ways it can be done. On one hand you have people who are super meticulous about the ratios of “greens” to “browns” and how often to turn it, and swear that you have to do this and have to do that. And on the other hand you have people like my parents who throw things in a pile at the edge of the woods and it seems to turn out fine regardless of the limited time they spend caring for it.

I think we are on the right track. Andrew built this amazing and beautiful composting bin out of old willow trunks. It seems strange that something so nice looking will be filled with decomposing stuff. I don’t think we will able to use any of the compost this season though. We got such a late start and like most good things it takes time to build up. Next growing season we will be ready!

–c.

From the start, there was no question that we were going to have an organic garden. And one of the most crucial elements of an organic garden is organic compost. My parents have composted kitchen scraps as long as I can remember so the notion of saving kitchen scraps was nothing new to me. But once we started reading up on the correct way to make compost, that’s when our heads started to spin.

Basically, there are a million ways it can be done. On one hand you have people who are super meticulous about the ratios of “greens” to “browns” and how often to turn it, and swear that you have to do this and have to do that. And on the other hand you have people like my parents who throw things in a pile at the edge of the woods and it seems to turn out fine regardless of the limited time they spend caring for it.

I think we are on the right track. Andrew built this amazing and beautiful composting bin out of old willow trunks. It seems strange that something so nice looking will be filled with decomposing stuff. I don’t think we will able to use any of the compost this season though. We got such a late start and like most good things it takes time to build up. Next growing season we will be ready!

–c.

We’ve come a long way since our last garden meeting! This is what’s been happening.

After we had our soil tested, we made a list of all the veggies everyone wanted to try to grow and came up with a pretty ambitious list. Every person was then responsible for doing a little research on a few different plants. While everyone was reading up on their veggies we ordered the seeds from Seed Savers Exchange and anxiously awaited their arrival.

Fast forward a few weeks and here we are with starts growing in the basement under lights, a plowed and tilled garden plot with fencing, and a composting bin made from thin willow logs.

This is our first time gardening anything more than a few tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in pots on the window sill. Our plot is 30 ft. X 40 ft. with a separate plot for extra potatoes. We had anticipated that it would be a lot of work, but you never really know how much work until you are standing before a seemingly huge plot of upturned earth with a rake in your hand and the sun blazing down on your back. But it’s been refreshing and rewarding to feel the work in my body. Something that I can’t really say I experience sitting at the computer all day.

To quote what Andrew said in a previous post

“the day we’re laying on our backs in our overalls eating fresh, warm strawberries straight off the vine in the summer sun will be the day I happily forget all the planning and laboring.”

–c.

We’ve come a long way since our last garden meeting! This is what’s been happening.

After we had our soil tested, we made a list of all the veggies everyone wanted to try to grow and came up with a pretty ambitious list. Every person was then responsible for doing a little research on a few different plants. While everyone was reading up on their veggies we ordered the seeds from Seed Savers Exchange and anxiously awaited their arrival.

Fast forward a few weeks and here we are with starts growing in the basement under lights, a plowed and tilled garden plot with fencing, and a composting bin made from thin willow logs.

This is our first time gardening anything more than a few tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in pots on the window sill. Our plot is 30 ft. X 40 ft. with a separate plot for extra potatoes. We had anticipated that it would be a lot of work, but you never really know how much work until you are standing before a seemingly huge plot of upturned earth with a rake in your hand and the sun blazing down on your back. But it’s been refreshing and rewarding to feel the work in my body. Something that I can’t really say I experience sitting at the computer all day.

To quote what Andrew said in a previous post

“the day we’re laying on our backs in our overalls eating fresh, warm strawberries straight off the vine in the summer sun will be the day I happily forget all the planning and laboring.”

–c.

Yes, it’s almost time!
– c.

It’s been over a week and I’ve been too swamped to post this wonderful news! Some of you are already aware, but last week I was featured on the blog spruce [décor]. I was interviewed for the “Midwest Minute” section and am super thankful to Lissa for having me. You can check out the feature here.
–c.

Well, yes, have some fruits & vegetables. (I just decided I like an ampersand in there instead of a long, boring “and”) is germinating – for a lack of a better analogy. Our first meeting went well. Having everyone present to share their thoughts and ideas was great. Like we’ve said, we’re no pros, we need help. And together, with all of us doing our research, I think we’re going to be just fine.

Our soil test came back and looks good! It’s 65°F today! I even opened a window to let the warm breeze in, which may have been a bit premature, I was freezing two minutes later and closed it. But, things are coming together!

Our soil, in not so layman’s terms.

–a.

Well, yes, have some fruits & vegetables. (I just decided I like an ampersand in there instead of a long, boring “and”) is germinating – for a lack of a better analogy. Our first meeting went well. Having everyone present to share their thoughts and ideas was great. Like we’ve said, we’re no pros, we need help. And together, with all of us doing our research, I think we’re going to be just fine.

Our soil test came back and looks good! It’s 65°F today! I even opened a window to let the warm breeze in, which may have been a bit premature, I was freezing two minutes later and closed it. But, things are coming together!

Our soil, in not so layman’s terms.

–a.

We’ve never done it before, but we’ve been reading and planning and organizing for weeks, and our very first garden is starting to come together (on paper, at least). This is the Spring/Summer/Fall where we work the land and reap the rewards, like we’ve wanted to for years. In total, we have nine gardeners who are going in on this project with us. Our first garden meeting is this Saturday and the agenda is chock full. Not to sound too much like city folk, but we had no idea how much consideration goes into a simple garden.

So far we’ve chosen the site (a perfect South-facing plot with sun-o-rama), made a gate for easy access, organized the participating parties, started a budget, picked out the fruits and veggies we want to grow, and our soil is being tested as I type. Next on the list is buying seeds, organizing our blocks with future crop-rotation considerations in mind, putting up a section of fence, tilling, planting and on and on and on.

It’s borderline overwhelming, but the day we’re laying on our backs in our overalls eating fresh, warm strawberries straight off the vine in the summer sun will be the day I happily forget all the planning and laboring.

The section of fence we chopped up and converted into a gate.

Our hopefully bountiful plot.

Stay tuned, sweet corn is on the way!

–a.

One of the many great things about living in Ohio is we finally have more room to make things. During the really cold months it’s a little more difficult because the barn is too cold to work in for extended periods of time. We have a basement where it is possible to do work as well, but the ceiling is really low and Andrew has to duck every time he goes down there.

Last summer we found this school desk at a junk shop for $18 and fixed it up for our niece. The whole thing was covered in layers of paint and was all around ugly.

We stripped all the paint off the wood, refinished it, repainted the metal parts and added my nieces last name across the top corner. Voila! Brand new desk.

–c.