Day 3 and 4 of the Process

 The barn looks funny to me. Looks just like half a barn...

Day 4

 First I had to run and get the handles on the rototiller welded because they broke. 

Then I had to run and get a new gas line for the tiller and then I had to run and get new hose clamps.

But we're back in business.

Meanwhile the trailer load went to the dump.

I took a pitchfork and Brianna a shovel and we started breaking up the soil.

Nearly broke us. It's like an archeology dig.
The need for a greenhouse keeps growing and growing.
It seems I have a compulsion to plant seeds.

Need for The Greenhouse is GROWING!

I can hardly find my bedroom floor.

A Progression of Days...

Day 1:

Day 2:

 

To be continued....

Micro-Greens

Not bad! Not bad!!

We're grazing...

Sprouts and Seedlings

I nearly killed my tomatoes yesterday. We had hot sun pouring in the window, clear covers on my trays and I hadn't watered them enough. In the end I lost about 5 plants... lesson learned. I soaked each tray well as I watered them from the bottom and took my covers off the trays. Today is raining, though, so not much danger over heating them. You can see that all my seedlings are already bowing towards the window. Gonna have to move the operation to another room and get the grow lights out, I think.

Herbs!

 

Lentil sprouts are the newest fad in this house.

We all like them. I was surprised the twins took to them so readily.

We put them on our soup and salads and in our sandwiches.

 Here's our yummy quinoa salad with lentil sprouts!

 Here's my experiment.

These are lentil sprouts growing as micro-greens. 

I think, though , that they might be too strong for micro-greens. We'll see.

And here is my second experiment. I heard that sprouted quinoa was really healthy...

But, to sprout them in the quantity enough for a family of 7 is a lot of work. 

They almost went sour on me. . . 

However, Steve decided that sprouted quinoa is the way to go and so somehow I need to figure out a way to do it a little easier.

Seeds

In the light of the horrific, catastrophic events in Japan and other places today, to focus on the simple blessings of planting seeds and watching the garden grow seem out of place. People are suffering and dying or grieving and I'm planting seeds? The earth is waxing old. Time is short. The prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled and Jesus will soon be here. Can you imagine having a garden in heaven?

planting tomatoes

 

Cleo kitty finding refuge from the rain in the wrappings of the seed trays.

 

Winterbore kale half grown that we found in town...

They should be able to handle the cold.

The Proverbs of March

In like a lion, out like a lamb.

I hope it's true.

February was too nice. It was a tantalizer... It made me think of spring and gardening, but March can't seem to make up it's mind.

In the morning we have this:

 

 by evening we have this:

I'm so ready for April.

But apparently,

April borrows three days of March and they are all ill.

Gardening with God

How can wisdom be obtained by him who holds the plow and drives the oxen? 

By seeking her as silver, 

and searching for her as for hid treasure. 

"For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him." Isaiah 28:26. . .

He who taught Adam and Eve in Eden how to tend the garden, desires to instruct men today. 

There is wisdom for him who drives the plow and sows the seed. 

Before those who trust and obey Him, 

God will open ways of advance. 

Let them move forward courageously,

trusting in Him to supply their needs according to the riches of His goodness. 

He who fed the multitude with five loaves and two small fishes is able today to give us the fruit of our labor.  The God who in the wilderness gave the children of Israel manna from heaven still lives and reigns. 

He will guide His people and give skill and understanding in the work they are called to do. 

He will give wisdom to those who strive to do their duty conscientiously and intelligently. 

He who owns the world is rich in resources, and will bless everyone who is seeking to bless others. 

We need to look heavenward in faith.

We are not to be discouraged because of apparent failure, 

nor should we be disheartened by delay. 

We should work 

cheerfully, 

hopefully, 

gratefully, 

believing 

that the earth holds in her bosom rich treasures for the faithful worker to garner, 

stores richer than gold or silver. 

The mountains and hills are changing; 

the earth is waxing old like a garment; 

but the blessing of God, 

which spreads for His people a table in the wilderness, 

will never cease. 

Ministry of Healing  pg 200

Digging in the Dirt

Yesterday looked like mid winter. The sun was shining and the world was a gorgeous place...

 Beautiful as it was, 

we were beyond thrilled that today was a different kind of day.

My kind of day.

A real gardening day.

 We burned a lot of old grass and took turns breaking up the soil in the new market garden patch. 

The barn garden was cleaned out of cornstalks and last year's tomato plants. 

We even had a picnic so that we would not have to waste time cleaning up to go into the house.

We surprised ourselves at how much we were able to accomplish.

After day one in the market garden patch it is quite evident we will be working to build up the soil with a lot of mulch and compost. It's a good thing we got started now.

One Man's Junk is Another Man's Riches

And the man's junk we found this past week is definitely our treasure. It certainly was my "Find of the Week". Actually, for the past couple of years I have eyed this piece of junk over the bank in the tall weeds as I drove the highway back and forth to town. I never had the courage to go knock on the door and ask about it, though. I guess I needed my mom. She has that kind of intrepid nature that doesn't hold back over a little timidity. I pointed it out and she had me pull off the road.

We've been discussing building a greenhouse. Brianna had asked for one for her 16th birthday. We were thinking about a hoop house built of pvc with roll up sides. I was researching plans and ideas, but when we took a look at the "junk" over the bank at the edge of an apricot orchard all other plans and ideas fled away. What we found was 3 huge awnings that were free for the taking. We had Steve take a look and then go rent a 20 foot trailer.

 As you can see, it's going to take a little work to weld the pieces together and to cut out unneeded bars. We'll mount the frame and cover with greenhouse plastic. The third awning will be either cut in half and added to the end of the first greenhouse, or we'll use it as a half greenhouse set up against a wall. It's pretty amazing and exciting to find something like this that fulfills our need so well. I believe God had a hand in it. This is a blessing straight from heaven.

Brianna is proudly displaying a book on greenhousing that she received for her birthday to go with her new greenhouse. We'll be chowing on fresh garden produce before you know it! Just you watch.