Singin’ in the Spring

There’s nothing better than waking up to birds singing in the morning. And as the air is filled with the bouncing chatter of mockingbirds, sparrows & swallows, I know….Spring has come. I love the springtime. Just like the fall, it reminds me of renewal, regrowth & makes me just so dang happy! Know what else makes me happy? Gardening. Yup. And if you are a new gardener like me— you probably know that it helps to learn from other gardeners. So, here are some of my first-timer observations:

• Just start! Sometimes, starting is the most difficult step for me…especially when it is something that I’ve never done before. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and experiment. Gardening is trial and error, so go ahead and try it out!
• Stick with it. If you’re anything like me, sometimes when you experiment, you fail. Well, it happens. But, don’t give up!
• Think small. The more you experiment with smaller quantities, the more you’ll learn about what works best for you. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to grow lots of veggies. Just pace yourself.
• Plan ahead. Are you going to container gardening? Do you have space for a small plot in your backyard? Do you get enough sunlight? What kinds of veggies will grow best in the sunlight you’ll have?
• Spend a day watching the sunlight at your house. Where do the shadows fall? Which spot stays the sunniest? Not only will this help you know your land better, but it gives you an excuse to relax outside.
• What kind of soil do you have? Do you need to build a raised bed? Will you start your seeds indoors or plant directly into ground?
• Once you’ve checked the soil, the sunlight— you’ve got to get the seeds! A few places that you can buy seeds: Three Rivers Market, Earth Fare, Stanley’s Greenhouse, Mayo Garden Center & Knoxville Farmer’s Coop.

What are you waiting for? Get started gardening!

A little update about what we’re doing. Last weekend our container gardening workshop was a huge success and volunteers came out to make things happen at the farm. And we’ve been planting at the farm too! What am I most excited about? Cosmic Purple Carrots! Ahhh yeauh.  — lb

“So, friends, every day do something that won’t compute…Give your approval to all you cannot understand…Ask the questions that have no answers. Put your faith in two inches of humus that will build under the trees every thousand years…Laugh. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts….Practice resurrection.”—Wendell Berry

Check out the pics– workshops, work days and our wonderful volunteers!

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