Colour Time in the Garden

One month ago I was so happy to just see green, and now the garden is bursting with colour.  I took these this morning, and since then the irises have started to come out.   I love this time of year!!! with the heat of the last few days things are moving along quickly.

Spring changing

 

 

Spring is finally peeking through, we went for a walk to get a Slurppe for my well dressed gentleman, have been to a greenhouse to get more inspiration, seen the rhubarb peeking through.  I am in the last four weeks of serious production in the studio, and then I turn into an urban farmer for the most part for the next six months.  I feel more and more pulled to be outside and digging about, fortuneately the wardrobe stays the same, yoga pants, t shirts and overalls, and bare feet.

Spring is coming slowly and quietly in my yard.

So happy to see these little tulip, iris and other bulbs and hollyhocks beginning to appear in my yard.  As the garden begins to show a need for me to be in it, it means a change in focus between now and the end of May.  I still need and want to make a lot of pottery, but the outdoors will be calling me out there.  It will be time to get out of the dark basement studio and into my garden.

I started making pieces for my new plan of Fairy Garden adornments.

Birds, nests, leaf stools, mushrooms, fairy houses and more on the way. I love the change in focus from the wheel.

Pottery exploding in my brain!

Spring is coming, at least in my heart and mind, so my head is going faster than usual with ideas!  I have started making wedding items and Spring.  Egg cups , ring bearer bowls, cake plates on pedestals and lots of flowers and leaves in my decorations!

Here are some of the cool seeds that have arrived for my CSA.  I am planning to start seeding the root vegetables on the first weekend in May. AFter the WEST sale on the Saturday, stretching in different directions, is my theory.

Heart bowls for ring bearers, or just to say I love you

buttons, with dragonflies, trees, and more to come

flowers all over yarn bowls

 

Community Supported Agriculture for Casi Cielo (almost Heaven)

Casi Cielo-CSA



I am developing a Community Supported Agriculture project for my micro Urban Farm, called Casi Cielo or Almost Heaven for 2013. I have a small house on a big yard in Norwood/St. Boniface where I am living out the principle of grow food, not lawns.



Since my “farm” is quite small, my plan is to offer a crate of fresh, organic (not certified) , locally grown fruit and vegetables on a weekly baiss starting at the end of June until mid September for a total of 13 weeks. A share in the Casi Cielo project will 300.00 (or 23.07 per week). The food will be fresh, full of nutrients and hand picked. There is risk in any farming or gardening venture, but I will aim ensure a good quantity, with high quality food throughout the season. Peter Rabbit ensures that we have well naturally fertilized soil that is augmented by compost. Amounts and types of produce will vary with the seasons, and the weather conditions. I will grow a variety of greens, root vegetables, squashes, herbs and beans. My aim is to supply enough vegetables for a family of four, or two vegetarians for each week. Pick up locations will be one mid city (downtown) point and my home in St. Boniface. Pick ups will be on Friday afternoons.

My Philosophy

I love growing food and flowers. I love sharing the fruits of my labours with others, and would love to grow full time. I want my customers to know how I grow the food, and even have input into what I grow, to match the needs of their family’s diet. If you cannot pick up your vegetables due to travel or other summer time issues, please call and let me know if you are sending an alternate. Food should not be wasted!!
I will offer 13 weeks of produce from the end of June to mid September, with produce available based on early to late producing vegetables and fruit and herbs.  I will be growing rhubarb, spinach, kale, lettuce,onions, raspberries, strawberries, apples, tomatoes, peppers, ground cherries, beans, carrots , beans and a variety of squashes.  Each share is 300.00, breaking down to 23. 10 per week with a wooden crate of produce every week!

I need 3 more families to make this viable and hope that you will support me in this new adventure. 
If you want to be a part of my farm dream comin alive; email me at nancyblokland@msn.com, with your name, address, and phone number. deposit of 50.00 required by April 15th, with the remainder due June 1, 2013. Please call me with questions, concerns or requests at 204-799-3792

Deep Freeze, planning for spring

We are in a major deep freeze in Winnipeg, Manitoba this week.  I dont think I will be complaining about lack of snow cover for my raspberries after the blizzard this weekend.  As a gardener, I can see the positive of all this cold weather but going out to a freezing cold kiln, and my budding barn to check on things is not  a quick dash, as I put on boots, jacket, scarf and mitts.  Doing it with wet hair at 6:00 am is likely not recommended either.

So, I am planning for spring by reviewing seed catalogues, thinking about whether or not to pursue a little CSA for my urban farm space and throwing pots for Spring. For sure I want to grow Okra, mostly for these wonderful flowers, not that I am so keen on the slimy okra texture.

Passion fruit plants also offer gorgeous flowers all summer long if planted in a bright sunny spot. Wish I could grow the fruit too, just as I did in my garden in Northeastern Brasil.  I need to get my Valentines products on the ETSY store this week, as February is fast approaching.