Mid-Spring Musings

Pulled up deer tongue lettuce today. I hated to do it – it’s a lovely variety, and has fed us through the winter. But it’s time – wanted to catch it before it bolted. In keeping with my goal of year-round gardening, I mixed in some compost from the worm bin, and replanted with pole beans (“eye” side up, as I’ve recently learned). Although a storm is coming, I think it’ll be warm enough to get them going. Also transplanted quite a few things from the starting "plugs" to 2” and 3” pots. They were looking pretty sad, so I hope they make it. Not sure what happened this time – last time it worked so well! Ah, well, can’t expect things to always be so easy.

Had to add another tray to the worm bin today. They haven't looked "right" lately, and DH laughed, when I told him I'd figured out what was wrong with them -- they need more fiber in their diets. But it's true -- since we've basically given up coffee, I've only been giving them veggie trimmings, plus the odd tea bag -- and it's not a balanced diet! So I started a new tray, using a layer of veggie trimmings, paper from the shredder, a healthy layer of leaves and a layer of moistened newspaper. I'm a little concerned about the shredded paper, though -- when I mixed it with water, the water turned a lovely shade of blue. I rinsed it out as best I could -- I'm hoping it won't hurt them. Guess I'll know pretty soon...

I'm very pleased to be able to eat wheat again. For a time, it seemed to cause all kinds of problems. But, after giving up coffee, I can now eat wheat. Been making bread using Peter Reinhart's method -- soaker & biga prepared 3 days ahead & refrigerated -- which seems to make it even easier for my system to handle. In fact, I've been so pleased that I've shared the information with a friend who also has difficulty with wheat (or maybe gluten -- he's not sure). I'm really hoping this will help -- it'd certainly make it easier for him & his family!!

I'm really pleased with the way we're eating these days -- not only is it healthier, it's MUCH cheaper!! I buy most things in bulk, including wheat, oats, beans, etc., and we grow more of our own produce than I'd have believed possible!! Tonight, for example, we had a salad made of mostly homegrown greens, embellished with homegrown carrots & beets, and storebought peppers & tomatoes. Slices of homemade multigrain bread, augmented with a little animal protein (which we're in the process of getting away from again) to round out the meal. Right now, we have about a dozen baby tomatoes on various vines. There's another big storm coming in (this has been an unsually wet and cold April), which I'm hoping won't hurt them.

10/16/10

It didn't, as it turned out. It wasn't an exceptional year for tomatoes, but we did enjoy them from mid-May until mid-October, so I feel pretty good about that!!