Collins Country

I'm Dreaming of a green Springtime..

It is pouring rain, and the wind is gusting hard enough to blow out the pilot lights in my wall furnace.  Sometimes I wonder how our giant-paned front windows withstand the onslaught.  Of course, I am curled up on one end of the couch with my laptop, making plans for the Spring.

My first seed catalog arrived less than a week ago.  I love picking through them and making list of all the wonderful fruit and veg varieties I will grow.  Anyone who has read my garden tales will know how successful that usually is.

This year, I am focusing on basic vegetables that I already have had some success with: Green Beans, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, basil and zucchini.  I actually haven't succeeded with the squash yet, but my studies indicate that it was probably a pollination problem.  I have been researching hand pollination and it doesn't seem too difficult for small crops.

I confess I do have a few "new" seeds I want to try.  One is a red current tomato; they are half the size of the grape tomato.  I can just see them in a salad.  The other is a squash called Long Island Cheese (It looks like a pumpkin to me).  Doesn't the name just grab you? LOL   It's supposed to be a great storage squash and good in pies.

Back to the topic of this year's planting.  I have been working on the composting of the chosen sites since fall, and I am going to try my hand at vermiculture as well.  I was given a very cool book on worms for Christmas - it's been on my wishlist forever!

Other than the tomato plants and basil, I will direct sow everything (to me, the two most exciting aspects of the garden are when the plants sprout and when I get to pick something!

Much time has been spent learning about the culture, diseases, pests and harvesting of my choices.  There is so much to know; I really hope that if I just learn everything I can about these particular plants and take proper measures and time with them, I will actually get a good harvest!

Then next year, I can review their care and add in something new to become expert on.  Or, perhaps for the fall I will study root crops (I have yet to have a carrot or beet that was big enough to eat).

Happy dreaming!

PS:  OFF TOPIC- Does anyone have ideas for leftover candy canes (not just peppermint...all flavors)?  My son brought home 61 boxes from the store he works at.  He did it thinking I could use a bunch so I want to show him how much I appreciate the thought.  However, I can only make so much peppermint bark! LOL  All suggestions welcome!

garden dreaming

{ 10:01 , Thursday, January 3, 2008 } { Posted by CitySteader }

I'm trying to be good and not think about my garden yet. I get spring fever in Febuary if I'm not careful! Here, in Colorado, I can't do most of my planting until late May. I'm trying to focus on my New Year's resolution right now. It sounds so simple compared to most peoples', but my goal this year is to actually get my spring cleaning done! The reason I mention it is because I have decided that as soon is my spring cleaning is completely finished I will allow myself to start planning my garden. I can hardly wait! By the way, How do you grow potatoes? I cut mine up, let them "heal over," and then planted them. I got beautiful plants. But they died after about two months and I got no potatoes. What might I have done wrong?

NOTE FROM PATTI: I will research the problems with taters. I lucked out and got quite a few little ones last year with little effort. One thing I've read is to buy the potatoes that are sold for planting rather than use your own from the store bought bag...apparently they are not disease resisitant. Anyway, I will post on the tade question as soon as I know something:)

Edited by Pattisea on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 12:49

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{ 10:12 , Thursday, January 3, 2008 } { Posted by Cindeerella }

Aren't looking through the seed catalogs fun?! There are so many things I want! I need to be reasonable though. I should only grow things we will actually eat, although I do want a flower bed this year, but that benefits the house with beautiful flowers.
I am going to go through my catalogs today and circle things I want. I am going to order from Territorial and Seeds of Change...when money becomes available. :)

NOTE FROM PATTI: I have been reading about the "bee crisis" lately. I have noticed that we have very few bees in our yard over the past several years. I think planting flowers is a neccesstiy for a good vegetable garden, unless you buy the seeds that don't require pollination.

So, flowers are not frivolous, they are mandatory! Get those bees and butterflies back in business.

Edited by Pattisea on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 12:50

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{ 11:38 , Thursday, January 3, 2008 } { Posted by Kitty }

Hey girl, it's so good to see you back on here. I've missed ya. I have gotten a few seed catalogs in the mail recently too. I went through them and made a list of what I want to TRY to grow this year. My plan is to have a much bigger garden this spring. Im taking over some unused land behind our house, some company owned land that isn't being used at all. Just seems such a waste to me LOL.
As for the candy canes I saw a recipe on a blog I visit with a picture tutorial and all, once I find it I will leave the link here for you.
Good to hear from you and Happy New Year......Kitty

NOTE FROM PATTI: thanks, Kitty! Good to see you, too. Good luck on the garden. I am kind of chicken to try a big one. Last year I tired so many plants and got very little reward. Maybe a few plants will produce the opposite?

Edited by Pattisea on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 02:22

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{ 01:10 , Thursday, January 3, 2008 } { Posted by gabbie427 }

You can crush peppermint sticks or other flavors in sugar cookie dough and bake them as usual. You can also crush them and put them in hot cocoa or coffee. I like to put them in cakes and brownies as well.

Have fun looking through your seed catalogs! LOL

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

NOTE FROM PATTI: I never thought to put them in cookie dough. I happen to have some sugar cookie dough. I think I will give that a shot. Thanks for the idea!


Edited by Pattisea on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 03:21