Planting Potatoes

One of the most versatile veggies is potatoes.
They can be prepared in so many ways,
from baking to boiling to frying to roasting.
There's really no bad way to fix a spud.

It starts with seed potatoes.
These can be purchased online or at your local hardware store.
We bought the Yukon Gold variety,
as we had good production with them last year.

The first step in growing your own potatoes
is to cut them into pieces and let them air dry
for a few days.

They may not look too attractive,
but this step is helpful in preventing rot and disease.
Once they are sufficiently dry,
they are ready to take out to the garden.

 This year, I'm reusing the chickenwire towers I made last season.
They were fashioned by simply cutting a length of chickenwire
and joining the two ends to make a hoop.
Support was created by using stakes, rebar, or dowels
woven through the top and bottom of the wire
and stuck into the ground.

 The potatoes were laid (skin side up) onto soil
amended with compost.
Three towers gave us ample space to plant.

Usually, dirt is added to the top of the potatoes as they grow,
to keep them from exposure to the sun,
which can cause them to create solanine,
a toxic chemical that renders the tubers inedible.
In my case, straw will be used instead of soil.
As with most veg,
at least 6 hours of daily sunshine and
an inch of water per week encourages growth.

After a few weeks, we should notice green stalks
escaping from the straw.
In about 10 weeks, the potatoes can be harvested.
They will need to cure before eating,
and can be stored for months unrefrigerated.

As easy as spuds are to grow,
why not add this veg to your garden crop list?

Wordless Wednesday

Farmers' Market Opening Day

This past Saturday was the opening day

of the farmers' markets here in Lincoln County.

The market in Lincolnton is small, but growing,

and hosts an array of local goodies for shoppers.

Many folks eschew the grocery store in favor of fresh,

locally grown produce.

Starter plants and flowers in lovely displays were also available.

A few beauties were picked up at this table for some of my beds at home.

Members of the Rose Society donated plants from their personal gardens

to raise money for their organization.

Most plants were $3, quite the bargain!

At this booth, organic personal care preparations could be had.

A multitude of lip balms, lotions, shampoos and beard products was offered.

All items at the farmers' market must be grown or made

within a 50-mile radius of the downtown location.

Can't get more local than that!

One of my favorite vendors, 

Black Sheep Farmstead,

always furnishes a wonderful collection of soaps.

A couple of things may have made it into my bag.

The Master Gardeners set up a booth once a month

to answer gardening questions, share gardening experiences,

and provide an interactive activity for visitors.

My friend Jannah and I,

who both graduated from the Master Gardener class last spring,

were giving away seeds so that folks could get their gardens started.

The seeds were generously donated to the Extension Center,

and we are giving them away every chance we get.

Just look at all the potential in that basket!

We also created a seed sowing station

for kids to understand the value in recycling 

and using what they already have at home.

The basket of paper towel and toilet paper rolls

was readied for them.

We simply made mini pots by slitting and folding the bottoms.

This is a great way to repurpose an otherwise throwaway item.

The whole kit-n-kaboodle can be planted in the ground.

A little soil and their choice of seed was all it took.

It was so encouraging to see these wee ones excited about planting.

The first market of the season went off without a hitch.
We had plenty of visitors and the vendors had many repeat customers.
Feeling blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community activity.

Do you frequent the farmers' market where you live?

Garden Friday

It's Garden Friday once again.

We've been busy with all kinds of gardening projects and plans.

Here are a few of the things we've been working on this past week.

 Seed potatoes were cut into pieces and placed in a box to dry.

These are Yukon Gold potatoes,

the same kind I grew last year.

They are our favorite all-around potato to eat.

 This is about after 4 or 5 days just sitting on top of the fridge in the garage.

They are ready to be planted when the surface becomes "scabby".

This is supposed to ensure that they stay free from rot or disease.

 Next week, I'll show step-by-step how easy it is to plant these.

The potato towers will be used again this year,

although I am trying a different technique.

 My "indoor greenhouse" is keeping the cucumbers,

green beans, herbs and tat soi fairly happy.

This room gets indirect morning light

and has just enough humidity to keep them moist.

I'm planning on hardening off the crops over the weekend,

so that they'll be ready to plant.

This year I'm growing my own sweet potato slips,

although I think I may have started a bit late.

These are organic sweet potatoes I purchased at the store

and simply suspended them in tin cans.

Aside from the root growth,

the tops will soon start sprouting stems, or "slips",

which will be transplanted into the garden.

Speaking of sprouting,

(wow, that's the best segue ever!),

alfalfa sprouts are filling up my veggie bin

as I am starting a new batch every five days or so.

They are so fresh and tender,

a wonderful addition to salads, sandwiches or stir fries.

 

A little experiment is going on with the nasturtium seeds.

One package of seeds got soaked for a few days,

and the other package got "nicked" and soaked.

These will be sown in the veggie beds as a companion plant.

I'm curious to see if there is a difference in germination rates.

One of the biggest changes coming to the veggie garden

is the creation of a wattle fence.

I've been collecting grapevine for this very purpose.

Big K told me that he can get all the wood I need for the stakes

free of charge.

I told him to bring home as much of it as he can.

I've started creating the stakes on which the wattle will be wrapped.

This will really define the space,

and maybe even keep a few little critters out.

The look of the vines woven back and forth

always catches my eye.

It's been a very busy week,

so there aren't too many pictures of the veggie beds,

but I will remedy that over the weekend.

The sampling of kale, lettuce and other goodies

are my treat whenever I go to check on the garden.

By the end of they day, my energy is spent,

but it's a great feeling knowing that time has been spent

helping others, growing food and being creative.

If you're local,

I hope you'll come out to the Lincolnton Farmers' Market

this Saturday from 8-12.

The Master Gardeners will be doing a hands-on activity 

for folks who want to learn more about planting seeds.

Here's the information:
225 West Water Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Phone: 704-748-1518

Lincoln County Farmers' Market website

Autism Awareness Day

This boy is my world.

If you read our "Meet the Family" page under the header,

you'll read a short description of him there.

He's so much more.

This day every year helps to remind me

how far we've come.

C has made great strides, even in the last two years.

He's now a strapping 18-year old young man

with dreams and aspirations.

He always wants to cure the world's ills,

not being deterred by something as inconsequential as reality.

Autism Awareness Day is just another day to most,

but to us, it's personal.

We live with it day in and day out,

and it affects every aspect of our daily lives.

It's one of those things that as a parent,

you wish it could be you dealing with it

instead of the ones who mean the world to you.

We cope with it the best we can,

one day at a time,

but most days consist of at least one struggle.

This life is not easy, but awareness over time

will allow those of us affected to be better understood.

We don't seek pity or charity,

just the chance to prove

that autism is not something to be feared.

Over the years, we have met some amazing folks

who have shown their Godness to us

in the way they interact with C.

His way of moving through the world can be challenging,

but the blessing is in 

seeing others' compassion and understanding.

Recalling his para when he was in public school,

that woman is an angel on earth.

She believed in him when no one else did.

His therapist from Florida that we've recently reconnected with,

accepts him just as he is, not trying to change him.

Our family doctor here in the Piedmont,

is the most patient and kind doctor we've ever had.

These blessings in our lives have helped me be a better parent, 

a better person and a believer in the best of what humanity can be.

We will be lighting up our porch for the month of April,

to celebrate the progress of C and the world at large,

in coping with this very difficult condition.

We are so grateful to have this boy in our lives.

I can't imagine life any different.

God Bless all the Autism Families in our world.