Larive Potager

My greenhouse dream has been percolating for a while.  She began like all my dreams....a nagging 'what if we...' thought that whispered in my ear seductively.  Then our new kitten began destroying every plant in the house - and dumping the dirt everywhere.  That upgraded the greenhouse dream on the timeline when I realized Miss Gracie would make it impossible for me to start for spring plants in the house like normal this coming spring. I  could  just have gotten an indoor unit with a covering to keep her out.  That was actually what I thought I had to do.  However, to buy a unit with good lightening would have cost me more than I spent building the entire greenhouse.  When I figured out a tentative DIY plan and priced things out, it just seemed so much smarter.   My husband did not agree.   My father, who did want to build a greenhouse, wanted to do it his way. Various other family members giggled - maybe because our yard is t...

What to do with a gloomy, rainy Sunday in October....also, how is it October? My apprentice and I spent most of the morning sorting seeds we have been saving in brown paper bags.  When it is busy during the summer, I just keep deadheading flowers and throwing them in bags to dry out.   Then when things slow down, I will sit down with some good music and break the flowers down.  Last year I just saved them in normal envelopes.  This year I have these artsy fartsy ones made of craft paper.  I bought a pack of 100 online for about four bucks.  And I just tape them shut once I am sure all the seeds inside are 100% dry - otherwise they mold. True to form, I may have gotten carried away. Then Ava and I headed to the garden.  We have drying scarlet runner beans on the vine, but I wanted to bring them in and let them finish drying inside. There were way more than I thought, so I currently have them drying in my delicate...