What’s Growin’ On

On Easter, I spent some time with my brother and his wife and their 20 month year old daughter, Arianwen (that's a Welsh name, pronounced Ar-e-ahn-wen).  Not only am I completely in love with this child, I am completely biased in believing that everything she does is magical and fabulous.  This Easter proved to be no different, when Arianwen began to garden right before my eyes. 

Since it fits into our theme, I felt compelled to share some home videos.  I know, I know, it's ridiculous to think that anyone would be interested in watching my niece garden, but it's ...

Last Sunday, April 20th, the New York Times Magazine published a new article by Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, In Defense Of Food, and a piece that eloquently explains the flaws of our existing farm bill.  This new article basically validates our existence as organic gardeners, and it brings me great pleasure to pass it on to you, my fellow Gardenerds.  

It's a little lengthy, but completely worth the read.  You'll feel good in the end.  Enjoy.

 
Why Bother?

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Every year on Earth Day, I try to be out in my garden for at least part of the day.  Today, I'm behind a desk, and my garden is calling me from afar.  What can you do from behind a desk on Earth Day?  Well, surf the net for Earth Day celebrations, environmental tips and other great information. 

Both Google and Yahoo have featured Earth Day pages today:

http://www.google.com/search?q=earth+day

http://green.yahoo.com/earth-day

There are also some other great environmental websites that draw attention to climate change all year round:

http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/

http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/

If you are able to get out and plant something, here ...

Just a quick note that a new article I wrote on veggies that grow in spring has been published on the www.lowimpactliving.com blog.  If you want to go directly there, you can click here:

http://www.lowimpactliving.com/blog/2008/04/20/spring-garden-planting-guide/

Check out the rest of the website for great tips on lowering your carbon footprint in your daily lives. 

Happy Gardening!



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This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting a woman who recently decided to tear up her front lawn for a low-water Xeriscape solution.  Sherri and her husband wanted to embrace the idea of a lawn-less life, so they hired a landscape designer to help them get started.  Here's what Sherri had to say about the project:


"Our most recent effort was tackling our lawns – and this has been the most satisfying project so far! The drought conditions in Southern California ..."

I'm not at all a Seinfeld fan, but for some reason, Kramer's Festivus holiday jumped out of my head and into the title of this entry.  I guess that his enthusiasm for celebration was so similar to what I have been feeling when I'm out in the garden these days.  Something new has gone in the ground each day this week.  The promise of new life, new varieties and (crossing our fingers) no gophers has taken over my head. 

Here is a quick list of what has been planted from seed this week:

Lettuces - 6 different heirloom varieties

Arugula

Mustard Greens

Golden Chard

Orach ...