week's end

{her outside "work"}

Well, my goodness, y'all do love a giveaway, don't you? There was just one winner yesterday (announced at the end of yesterday's post), but I have a few more giveaways planned in coming weeks. And of course, do check out that book - purchased, or from your library, or maybe just the podcasts (such great listening -food!). Good stuff in there, I tell you.

I get a lot of questions about CSA's, especially yesterday. Check out this site for finding farmers markets and CSA's near you. I know in many areas, the demand for local and organic produce is higher than the availability. I know it can be discouraging to find a CSA you're excited about, only to find out they're at capacity. But keep at it, get on a waiting list, visit your farmer's market instead, talk to people about sharing in their family garden's work and bounty, and perhaps - do some planting on your own.

I was recently at a talk about local food, and our friend Farmer John (I  can't help it - that's what my kids call him) said something so simple and beautiful that has stayed with me ever since. He said, "Never let a season go by without planting something." Such simple advice, isn't it? And yet, it's so easy to get bogged down by the logistics of gardening, space and growing and time and "black thumbs" and all of that. But plant something - sprout some seeds in a paper towel, grow basil in a pot in your kitchen, toss some carrot seeds in the ground and see what happens. Never let a season go by without the opportunity to get a little bit closer to your food, and have reason to dig your hands into the Earth.

On that note, we are hoping to do some planting next week. I took last summer off from vegetable gardening (that whole book-writing thing), and we're eager to get back at it this year. There is so much excitement right now - every day brings a new change in the landscape, it seems - things opening up, the promise of blooming soon. A new color added to the spring palette each day. Next week, I'll be doing a Week of Spring photographs here, with the hope of celebrating some of that magic. Feel free to play along if it speaks to you.

Until then, have a lovely weekend! And maybe, if you can, plant something!

Comments

[Suzanne]

We're looking forward to our garden this year too--I keep trying to get to it but we have a bunch of chix and they are taking time to keep going:-) Hopefully I will be able to particpate in your week of Spring pics, sounds like a fun idea:-)

[heather]

i felt kinda bad for your inbox yesterday, thought the poor thing might just go up in smoke!

happy planting this weekend, ours is filled with the same. ;)

[cindylou]

Thanks Amanda for the CSA link, as well as the encouragement to garden. Fewer things are more rewarding, particularly for little ones, then watching their seedlings turn into the yummy foods on their plates. Even if your "garden" is in a planter by your front door. :)

[heather]

Another good idea would be to go in with a neighbor or two on a garden. We planted a small garden last year and it produced more than we could consume so this year we have two neighors helping us and we will all share the harvest.

[heather, whatchabuidlin]

Yes! Planting! I agree with "Farmer John" no matter where you live, or how you live, you can plant something. Herbs, tomatoes, flowers, they are all things that can be planted easily in pots and in the ground.

I expanded my garden this year and will be planting peas this weekend. Yum, can't wait for the fresh produce from the garden!
Have a good weekend!

[Jessie]

Hi from a new lurker. I love Farmer John's quote. I'm also loving our garden, down here in the South, we've got salad greens ready for eating.

[Viv]

I am visiting our Farmer's Market - back in business for the season today! - and looking for some vegetable plants to replant. Didn't quite make it with the seeds this year. Have a great weekend!

[Mary Beth]

My husband is hard at work on our garden and I'm looking forward to a summer of eating home grown food.

[camerashymomma]

good grief~ 1160!! i think that's evidence enough that you need your own fanclub! :)

enjoy your weekend gardening, we've got yellow squash coming up and the new little beginnings of tomatoes!! i'm keeping my fingers crossed for my strawberries.

[Wendy]

I took the year off from gardening last year too, but am back at it with a vengeance now. I've just sheet composted an area 15 feet by 25 feet to make a bunch of beds in. Our 9 year old is in charge of planning the drip irrigation system (as a homeschool project). She found some round carrots to plant and is so excited.

After reading your post (and people's comments) about wanting to live on a farm, I've decided to dedicate part of my blog to 'farming' in the suburbs. Why do we need to wait til we have acreage to grow our own food?

[Berlinswhimsy]

I hear ya---sometimes it's hard to get things into the ground this time of year. But it pays off so big! Have fun getting your hands dirty this weekend! ;-)

[Tina]

We are getting ready to start our first garden! We are so excited! My husband is going to do Square Foot Gardening, and he has the boxes all ready down in the basement, has purchased all the supplies, and now we just need to buy some trellis netting and a few more seeds. The seedlings we've started inside are growing gangbusters and it's so much fun to watch and anticipate!

[Kiasa]

I love Farmer John's advice. I live in a small apartment in NYC but each year I have at least two herbs growing in my window or fire escape and I LOVE it! On Monday I'm signing up for our local CSA...my first time trying it. I'm so excited.

[homemakerang]

I always say if you want to see children's true identity in creativity, live on a farm. I would not trade a day of living on a farm for "city life", NEVER EVER... We have a small CSA here... Our goat is expecting any day... We have goats milk, free range brown and green eggs... nitrate free pork, the slow food commodity Bourbon Red Turkey and more... My children could never leave the fresh air, no neighbors but some animals and nature to the max... Yes we do love the country!

[homemakerang]

here are some other photos of our little farm...

[Sam]

For me, planting is the easy part..watering everyday is the hard part. I've still got some little spaces to fill though, so I'm looking forward to the Week of Spring!

[CHristina]

We should all match our pants to our activity. Brilliant! I have to go change now...

[Gina]

You got my mouth watering for Fresh tomatoes and green beans! Come on spring. I'm lucky to still have several cans of green beans that I put away last years but there not the same without a juice warm, straight from the vine matoe.
Love the pic with his pants matching the stick. Very cute.

[tara]

Hi! I just wanted to say that I was also inspired by Angry Chicken's review and bought the new Splendid Table cookbook from bomc2.com (formerly zooba) for only $10!

[Linn]

I just checked out that CSA site yesterday after seeing your post, and am trying to get our family hooked up with one. Thank you!

I'm also putting in the tomatoes (as usual) in our tiny garden, along with a new try at zucchini as soon as possible. Thanks again for the inspiration to keep our family more wholesome and connected in so many ways.

[Kiasa]

I love Farmer John's advice. I live in a small apartment in NYC but each year I have at least two herbs growing in my window or fire escape and I LOVE it! On Monday I'm signing up for our local CSA...my first time trying it. I'm so excited.

[Sharon]

Thank you for the link! We are waiting for Mother's Day weekend to start planting our small garden. I promised pumpkins and carrots...may do some cherry tomatoes too.

[kosenrufu mama]

here in italy it's quite warm now and i have starting to plant some small red fruits in my garden... and of course some flowers...

[Carrie]

I have been thinking about that tart recipe all day-I will definitely pick up a copy of that book! Thanks so much for posting about it.
What great advice from Farmer John! We have hardly any yard space but I have planted many things each year! ;)
Speaking of planting-I loved the You Tube video about Suburban Farming-very interesting and inspiring! Thanks for sharing that too!
Happy Weekending!

[Pam]

Thank you for the link to CSAs and farms. Love the picture. Did your daughter dress herself?

[amyj]

the kids and I planted pots of beans, peas, and cilantro a few weeks back. Everyone (including me) is so excited that they are growing and getting ready to show some signs of produce! our farmer's market opens on May 14th, and we are all counting down for sure!

[Natasha S]

CSA rocks!!

on a side note:: WOW over a thousand comments::just for ships (wink,wink) and giggles,what is you average day visitor total???

GO ON DO TELL!!

[Stacey]

I need to ask a silly question. What does CSA stand for? I'm in Canada and that acronym means something very different from locally grown food here.

[Metromom]

Communited Supported Agriculture (CSA) is the way to go! We live in the city with small chidren and cats which has made pot planting in the apartment impossible. Thank goodness for our CSA and Farmer Rich who delivers us fresh veggies and fruit and gives us reports on rainfall and animals and gives us a little window to the "country". I'm hoping to find a community gardening program for my poor green deprived city kids too this year!

[Ula]

My father-in-law has a huge garden, from which we are lucky to enjoy the surplus (of which there is always a lot!). One of these days I want to try my hand at it too. For now, though, I'll stick to fresh herbs in pots on our deck.
I just blogged some spring pics today, a little too early for your Week of Spring, but maybe you might enjoy them anyway. :)
Ula

[Lisa]

I've never commented before but I read your blog daily and love it!

About gardening in small spaces...a book of mine mentions that (for those who have no garden space) you can buy "growing bags" and plant vegetables in them. I don't think it could get much easier than that. :)

Best of luck with your gardening!

[Shannon B.]

That is such great advice. This season we planted Sweet Peas and Morning Glories to make us happy, Zucchini, Dill and Basil to feed our tummies and Corn as a learning experience because we don't actually have enough space to properly grow corn. LOL! But my 4-year old really wanted to try so we figured it'd be a fun learning experience!

P.S. I ordered your book from Amazon and I can't wait to receive it! I'm really looking forward to the read!

[Colleen Murphy]

I'm lovin' that photo. What colour co-ordination!

Oddly enough, since moving out of the downtown core and closer to the farms, finding a CSA that services our area with pick-up depots (or even delivery) has become a challenge. I love the idea behind it and hope we can find a way to support it.

I have been intrigued, of late, by the concept of suburban farming...especially those that build community. Thanks for your input there.

My 2.5 year old wants to plant pink seeds in her yellow rubber boots.

[Sally McEntire]

I'm going to start working at the Farmer's Market next weekend for an organic farmer and I'm very excited! He also has CSA members (to tie it in). One of the great benefits of working for him is all the great fruit and veg I get to bring home! WooHoo! Not to mention supporting and working for someone who is providing organic and locally grown produce. I'm planning on doing posts each week about what's at the market. Anyway, just sharing in the all the farming excitement.

[melmo]

Great inspiration from farmer john. And I'm going to, just do it, and plant something drought and all. Who knows it might rain more than we're expecting, and then we'll be doubly thankful for the rain.

[rubyellen]

We are in the process of starting our garden right now... my husband is so so excited! He dreams of 9, 8, 7, and 6 ft. beds full of homegrown stuff in our little backyard. He is so cute! Hopefully planting season doesnt end before he is done building all the beds!

[Sara]

Thanks for the CSA link Amanda. I found alot of farmer's market in my area I was not aware of.

Have a good weekend,
Sara

[Linnea]

Thanks :o) Your post reminded me that I had bought some forget-me-not and dalia seeds... that I haven't yet planted! They're in the cupboard near the recycling... but I suppose it's high time to do something with them. Have a great weekend!! xox

[readersguide]

I love the stripes and stripes!

[Bluebirdbaby]

I was just down at my mother's house today (the little one is staying overnight for the first time ever!) and couldn't believe the buds on the trees! What a difference an hour makes. I bet you'll have leaves before you know it :)

[Alisa]

I bought your book today! I've been waiting for a coupon from Borders and it finally came so I rushed over. The computer said they had one copy but it wasn't on the shelf where it should have been. I made them tear up the store until they found it. It is mine now!!!! I also bought mary jane's farm magazine. Have you heard of it? it is great and I think you would love it. I joined an urban gardening group this year and am growing organic herbs, tomatoes, onions, garlic and purple potatoes. I also have a rainbarrel for the first time and it is great! thanks for the great book!

[Knit N Green]

Long time reader, first time commenter.. Love reading your blog. We love our CSA in WNY! The kids look forward to running their own farm some day too. Check out the fiber CSA http://marthasvineyardfiberfarm.com/ I'm so tempted. The priviledge of investing in these great ways of life has me in awe.

[MANDA]

im a bit of a plant a holic. i confess. over summer i had so many cherry tomatoes growing that in the end i left them on the bushes and admired those little red balls like flowers!
todays find.. a beautiful bunch of dandelion wishes :-) in a paddock.

[andrea]

That is so nice that ya'll are finally having your spring! We are almost into the heat of summer down here in Louisiana. Happy planting!!

[tabitha]

This is the very thing I needed to read this morning -- motivation to get outside and get those seeds and plants in the ground. Thank you.

[Marcela Bandeira]

Hi amanda... I finally got my copy of your book!! I already ordered mine from your shop, so excited about getting a signed copy!
I know I'll have to be patient for it arrisves in my house in Brazil!!
Thanks!!

[Marcela Bandeira]

Hi amanda... I finally got my copy of your book!! I already ordered mine from your shop, so excited about getting a signed copy!
I know I'll have to be patient for it arrives in my house in Brazil!!
Thanks!!

[Anneke]

I don't have 'green fingers', don't like to have black ones either, but happily my husband has green/black hands and teaches our children all about gardening. Being no gardener doesn't mean I don't like the garden, no, I LOVE the garden. So my part in this thing is to praise the gardeners, hurry to see anything growing and enjoy our garden very much; an important part of gardening I think...
The thing you say about 'plant something', did however got me thinking of a pot on our naturetable...

[caitlin]

I started reading your book last night and I am smitten. The paragraph in the introduction about how children awaken creativity completely captures how I feel about my daily endeavors with my little ones. I can't wait to read on. I also can't wait for our vegetable garden and summer CSA to get going!

[Bonnie Buckingham]

YOUR book is in our library here in Charlotte!I am on a HOLD list of 12! I'll look at it to see about buying it. I'm excited!

Bonnie