Apr 12 - Gardening: Spring Planting

The weather is getting better and we actually had some sun today. A 70 degree heat wave... lol

The neighbors were out in force these past two days mowing their lawn. Of course, I'm the last one to do it. I wonder what my rep in the 'hood is like.

The dandelions dotting my lawn have pretty yellow flowers. Also, the tulips are adding some color to the neighborhood.


I can't resist looking into the flower.


What's all this have to do with food and eating?

Well... this seasons project is to plant beets and carrots. I can't use the backyard because the dogs will trample the garden. Also, the sunlight is better in the front of the house. Container gardening to the rescue! :-)

Beets seeds. Apparently, beet seeds are actually cut up pieces of pod that contain more than one seed.


Carrots seeds. These seeds are tiny. One sneeze and I'm growing carrots in my lawn. lol. Of course, I can't stick with normal looking carrots. I picked these ball looking carrots. I'm such a rebel. lol.


My container and the el-cheapo potting soil. See the dandelion flower sneaking in the photo. :-)


I added some perlite to the potting soil in an effort to lighten it up and help with drainage. The potting soil contains perlite so I'm not sure if this is pointless step.


For the beets the package recommends 4" spacing. The top of a drinking cup was used as a guide. Again, probably overkill again, but I'm a geek and measure things out. Of course, this assumes all the seeds will germinate. Typically, people just sow the seeds and thin to 4". Not me, I have faith.


After the beets seeds were positioned. I covered them with a 1" layer of potting soil. For the top layer, I mixed in a handful of lime to "sweeten" the soil... push the pH level to the alkaline side. Beets apparently like alkaline soil. We'll see how it works.

For the carrot seeds, since they are so small I just scattered them onto the soil and covered with a light layer of potting soil. For the carrots, I'll eventually thin to 2" spacing... according to the package.

Red Container for beets... White container for carrots.
Hopefully, my cat will keep the squirrels away.


Beets
GERMINATION: 2 to 3 weeks in warm weather.
Approximately 59 days to maturity.

Carrots
GERMINATION: Approximately 2 weeks in temperatures of 60 degrees.
50 to 60 days to maturity.

Apr 3 - Spring Flowers

After a few days of snow followed by rain, the sun made it's appearance for a couple days. Just enough for more tulips to bloom.

The blooms seemed to open up, reaching out to absorb he rays from our yellow sun.

What's so fascinating about the tulips is that these bulbs have been very hearty. I leave them in the ground and they have been coming back in spring. Each year has been a different color. This year is a vibrant, bright yellow.

Another fascinating points is the tulips open up. To absorb heat? By evening the tulips close back to a tight bundle.

Absorbing the rays and taking a breath of fresh air.


Wow! So yellow!


Solar collectors deployed... lol! I'm a geek!


PS... I think we got our quota of sunshine this month. :-)

Spring +8 days = Snow ?

It's 8 days into spring and it's been snowing all day.
The ground temperature and surround is above 32F so nothing is sticking.

Spring Tulips are starting to bloom, but snow this late in the year?
Intersting that this year the tulips are a solid bright yellow... last year the tulips where pink and yellow. Must have to do with the pH of the soil.



For dinner I had one fresh chicken breast remaining... quickly made fajita tacos.

1/2 onion, sliced
1/3 bell pepper, sliced into strips
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper
1/3 C Salsa
1 T oil

Heated oil and sauteed the onions, garlic, bell pepper and chicken together with a few sprinkles of salt and a couple grinds of black pepper, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Added the salsa, stirred and covered to let the chicken finish cooking, about 3 to 5 minutes.


The Final Dish

Steamed the tortillas in the chicken mixture for about 30 seconds.

Dressed with green chile salsa, lettuce and the chicken "fajita" mixture.
Sprinkled a little shredded cheddar cheese for flavor.


Overall, very simple, quick and delicious. :-)