03.07.08 ENCHANTED FOREST

An enchanted broccoli forest grows under lights in the studio awaiting its chance in the sun.

02.15.08 SEED SUCCESS

The broccoli seed I planted just six days ago has germinated and begun to poke up through the soil in the little pots I placed under grown lights in an upstairs bedroom.

02.09.08 GARDEN BEGINNING

It is with great hope that I sat on the porch in the cold winter sun today to plant broccoli seed for starting inside under lights. As Thoreau wrote,

“...I have great faith in a seed...Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”

01.16.08 SEED THOUGHTS

Reviewing the seed catalogs and placed my first order yesterday. Getting ready to start my broccoli and onions inside for early spring transplanting to the garden.

07.04.07 A NEW INDEPENDENCE

Bringing up the produce of the garden to the house one day this week, I feel a bit of independence from grocery stores and the long line of merchants and producers they represent. One small potato planted a couple of months ago has produced all of these potatoes from one plant, the hens contribute some lovely eggs, and believe it or not the broccoli is still producing like crazy. A sweet country supper.

06.06.07 SPRING HARVEST!

I return from my trip to find the garden is producing bountiful spring harvests. The spinach is still good enough to pick even as the plants just begin to bolt upward to blossom. Peas, peas, and more peas! The snow peas and sugar snap peas provide enough to start freezing for later. And then of course, the beloved broccoli, begun inside away back in February, is now ready to cut and eat!

05.27.07 BROCCOLI BUDS

The broccoli plants are budding fast. Time to keep a close eye on them and harvest them when they are the largest just before they start to bloom.

03.29.07 BROCCOLI CLOCHES

Yesterday I worked in the home studio. This gave me time to retire to the garden after work instead of spending my time commuting to town and back. I planted out all of the broccoli seedlings, 74 plants! Last year I only planted 36 which, after packing away in the freezer, only lasted us until December. This year I hope to have enough broccoli to crunch all winter long!

03.21.07 BROCCOLI SEEDLINGS

Growing since January under lights. Hoping to make the move out to the garden later this week if the weather holds and I have time to dig the beds. I have collected dozens of milk jugs to use as cloches.