What We've Been Up To- Spring Gardening, Mother's Day, and Things to do in Middle Tennessee

Warning:  This is a very long and picture-heavy post.  I hope you enjoy. ;-) 

I've been overwhelmed with joy since the weather finally changed from the cold, dreary, rainy days of a Tennessee winter to the warm, sunny, dry days of late spring.  I don't know if I'm imagining things, but it seems as though every winter gets worse and worse around here.  I'm one of those people who gets down and depressed during long periods of gray and cold weather, and I spend every January and February trying to convince my husband that we need to move south, like WAY south.  So far, he's not taken me up on the offer, but I don't give up easily.  Thankfully, though, spring arrived with gusto this year.  It went from rainy and cool to down-right hot and sunny over the course of a week!  (Not that I'm complaining.) As soon as the ground was warm, I was itching to start gardening.  

We removed everything from last year's garden bed and tilled it up really well.  Other than a slight mishap with the irrigation lines (Oopsie!), everything went smoothly.  Charlotte had a blast helping me lay out new landscape fabric and re-spread the mulch.  (A friend has recently introduced me to the ideas of permaculture, and I'm going to do some more research on it.  Maybe I can figure out a way to not need to do so much work next year.)

We worked our tushies off, but we've got a nice little area going.  So far, we've planted herbs and some greens in that bed, plus the beets and carrots that I planted today.  I also have seeds started in containers that will be moving over there in a very short while.  We ordered a bunch of heirloom seeds from Baker Creek this year, and will be growing some neat, unique varieties of vegetables.  Aside from the more tame scarlet kale, lacinto kale, purple teepee beans, and golden sweet peas, we're growing five varieties of tomatoes, red okra, wonder berries, and kamo eggplant.  It's going to be so fun to see how everything turns out this summer.  I hope to have an incredibly colorful garden.  

We also tilled a new spot in the back yard, and I've planted three varieties of heirloom and non-GMO corn, crookneck squash, butternut squash, and sweet peas.  My husband LOVES corn, so I have to keep him happy.

I've planted plenty of lettuce and kale in my raised bed this year.  When we pulled up the old garden, we discovered several tiny purple kale plants that had volunteered to regrow, and we moved them into the raised bed.  I tell ya, this stuff will grow anywhere.  Since that day, I've found more of those tiny plants in the old garden, even after it was tilled and recovered!  And of course, I moved them to be with their friends. ;-) 

Volunteer kale after its move and few weeks of steady watering.

I feel like gardening has become my escape.  I'm at my happiest when I'm out there in the dirt, talking to my plants, and nursing them along.  I may have missed my calling as a farmer.  

The strawberries we planted last year have come back with amazing zeal, also. We've already picked and eaten several, and there are a bunch more waiting to ripen.  Charlotte has been excited to check their progress every day.  She tries to sneak and eat them, but I have to explain that they'll taste better if we wait. The whole "patience is a virtue" thing is lost on a two year old.  

Yes, gardening has taken over our lives in recent weeks, but I absolutely love it.  Being outside in the evenings brings me immense joy, especially when it's spent with my little one, showing her how to grow her own food and care for such delicate items.  Starting things from seeds has been a wonderful lesson for her.  She asks to water them every night when we get home, and she loves to pinch small pieces of lettuce or kale leaves and nibble them.  She's appreciative of fresh food in a way that I didn't think possible at her age.   

Eatin her fresh fruit at a friend's birthday party.

We have managed to fit in a few other activities aside from gardening, though.  We've had birthday parties to attend, and we even visited the Renaissance Festival a couple of weeks ago.  She didn't seemed interested in much besides the castle, where she thought she should live.  

She is a princess, after all.

We've been to farmers markets and eaten at the newest plant-based, health-oriented restaurant in our area, too.  

I had the raw pad Thai with a kale salad and raw cacao mousse for dessert.  Charlotte shared my meal and had the raw apple crisp for dessert.  Everything was delicious. 

Thrive is amazing, if you're ever in the Franklin, TN area.  Pam is a genius.  She offers several raw items, along with gently cooked whole foods.  The restaurant has been so successful, that they'll be expanding soon.  I just love when a business offering healthy food is successful!  

And what would spring be without getting outside for some relaxation?  We've been walking or jogging as often as possible and doing yoga in the back yard whenever we can squeeze it in.  

Charlotte is dying to do head stands and  tries to do everything else she sees me demonstrate, even attempting meditation.  It's pretty entertaining, to say the least. 

As you can see, it's been an awesome spring, so far.  Mother's Day was no exception. 

My husband arranged for his mom, dad, sister, Charlotte, and myself to all tour Cheekwood Botanical Gardens.  I'd been once before, but this time was so much fun.  Watching Charlotte explore was the highlight of my day.  She loved to smell the flowers and touch everything (that she was allowed to touch).  They even had a train exhibit where several trains ran all over a massive wooden "town", some overhead, even.  I bet we spent an hour looking at them.  Train obsessed, this kid is.  

Banana in-hand, always.

The Japanese Tea Garden is my favorite part, but I didn't take my phone in with me.  It definitely brings a sensation of calm over me when I enter.  I could spend all day there.  

At one of the ponds, we met some snapping turtles and bull frogs.  As you can imagine, these were all the rage for a toddler. 

It was such a fun day spent with family.  I can't wait to do it all again.  

Last night, we met some friends at Arrington Vineyards for a raw food potluck, which was a really nice time.  My brother and niece even tagged along.  The kids had a blast chasing each other and digging in a mud puddle they found. The forecast had called for rain, so not many people showed up, but it turned out to be a fantastic night.  The weather was perfect, and we had a prime spot on the hillside overlooking the vines.  No complaints here.

I think we're off to a fantastic start to an amazing summer!  I am excited to see what the next few months bring, and I'll be sure to update you all as things happen.  

Until then, here are a few more pics from our recent fun...

Pics from our photo shoot with the incredible John Meyers Photography

"Werk it gurl!"

Seeing a REAL train at daddy's work.

Saturday morning silly faces.  She's a pro.

Our newest family member, Finn.  He's very friendly and active, two things I never expected from a betta fish.  Aren't animals amazing?

Our other babies, Riley and Abby, basking in the warmth of spring.

State park fun!  We had our photo shoot at Edwin Warner State Park, and I highly recommend checking it out.  Gorgeous place!

More garden fun!

Garden Update: The End is Near

Here it is, September is almost done, and the garden is showing its age.  The squash is long gone.  My tomato plants are falling over.  And the sunflower stalks are turning yellow.  I'm almost sad, but my greens are still going strong, and I've spotted nine little watermelons that may make it to adulthood before the cold sets in.  So, I figured I'd give an update on what is growing at this point.  

My adorable watermelons growing stronger every day...

I've pulled up a few beetle-eaten kale plants, but the others are growing like crazy.  The purple kale is big and beautiful, just how I like it.  It's bitter, but it makes awesome juice, and a little lemon makes it great for salads.

We've had a few pests move in, but so far, they've not made much of a dent in production.  I did lose my pumpkin and squash plants to vine-borers, but since they grew into the empty lot next door (and were continually mowed down), I figure I'll just have to plan better next year.  

I've still got a few peppers waiting to turn red, and some green tomatoes too.  And the mystery "volunteer" tomato plants turned out to be black cherry heirlooms that we grew last year.  They aren't producing many tomatoes, but they are delicious.

The Swiss chard is still going strong and the colors have gotten super intense... Meaning more nutrients!  Eat those greens, you guys.

I ended up with one small beet from a whole row of seeds, so I've got some work to do to figure out the magic of growing those.  I absolutely LOVE beets these days, so if I can grow them, I'll be very happy.

Lastly, my carrots are coming along really nicely.  If I can keep the dogs from walking on them, they'll be fine.  The pups are super curious about this green stuff that's taking up their yard space.  

I've planted some new seeds for a winter crop of lettuces, beets, and maybe fennel. Nothing has sprouted just yet, so I'm still nervous about them.  Fingers crossed.  I've never grown food year-around before.  It's a new adventure!  I'll be saving a bunch of money if I can, at least, get kale to make it through.   We shall see.  If all goes well, I'll be giving garden updates in January. 

Mommy's little helping watering the carrots.  She gets very upset if you don't let her help.

Garden Update: July is in Full Swing.

Oh summer.  What's not to love?  Hot, sunny days and warm, clear nights.  Tan skin and dirt on my hands.  Flip flops and sun dresses.  Fresh food!

I'm finally reeping the rewards of my hard work.  This past weekend, I found my first two cucumbers resting in the shade of prickly leaves.  They're small and crisp,  perfect for salads.  Our okra is putting out a few sprigs every couple of days.  The tomatoes are on the cusp of turning red or purple.  And my squash is growing faster than I can pick it.  These are the days when I love living in Tennessee.  I hate the cold, rainy, miserable winters, but our summers are heavenly.  It's been hot and sunny for weeks now with just the perfect amount of storminess to keep things from getting too dry and scorched.  I refuse to put my toes away until October, and sleeves are nowhere to be found.  This is MY weather.  So, as you can imagine, I've been finding every excuse to play outside when I'm not working.  That means PROJECTS!  Not only is my garden rolling right along, but I've added some new life and beauty around the abode since my first update, and things are looking awesome.  This post will be picture heavy, but isn't that why you're here?  Check out how things are going, er growing, around my little city plot...

Heres what the garden is looking like these days.  Tomato bushes are busting out of their cages.  The cucumbers are conquering every inch of extra space they can find.  The squash is creeping into the neighbor's lot.  It's a thing if beauty.

More tomatoes.  And those are cantaloupe vines crawling along the front with several little yellow blooms emerging.  Somewhere in there, you'll see a couple of bell pepper plants so heavy with peppers that I had to stake them.

On the left...Pumpkins!  I've never grown pumpkins before, but I started these from seed and they're just taking off.  I'm so proud.  And on the right, le squash.   It's completely overtaken one of the nasturtiums I planted, but I don't even care.  The flowers are a pretty surprise when I lift the leaves to check for new growth.  In the back I have new snap pea sprouts just coming through, and okra in front of those.  Okra flowers are so beautiful.

Deep in the underbelly... Ha!

Nasturtiums.  Edible flowers, did you know?

Maters!  These are Cherokee purple and will be the best damn tomatoes you've ever tastes.  I swear.  They don't travel well due to their soft flesh, so you have to grow your own or find a local farmer who does.

Look at all those potential cantaloupe... Mmm.

Did I mention I've planted heirloom corn?  Take that, Monsanto!  I ordered seeds from an online seed bank for a purple and a yellow variety.  I can't wait to see what these babies do.

Did you know that beets are like turkey timers?  This one just popped right outta he ground when it was ready.  So cool!  My first beet ever!

Kale chips, anyone?  And stems for juicing, of course.  I picked all of this Saturday just to make room for more growth.  It's really gotten out of hand.

And more of Saturday's bounty.  

The strawberry table has gained some growth in the past month, and few "daughter" plants have sprung out.

Last years rescued plant is really taking off, too.

I was digging around and pulling weeds under my okra two weeks ago, and guess what I found... Four tomato seedlings that must've come up from last years plants!  Craziness.  Nature will always find a way, I suppose.  So, I gently moved them, and they seem to be doing just fine.  I'm hoping for some late season maters.  

Oh yeah!  And I threw together a little 4' by 4' raised bed for my watermelons.  On the left side, I planted two rows of carrot seeds, too.  It took, literally, twenty minutes to put this together. 

I've also been hard at work on my front porch project with a little help from my momma.  She has vision, that's for sure.  

We found these old, dingy, beaten chairs in the attic...

...added some paint and new fabric, and they're good as new.

I, also, have a dining set that used to belong to my grandparents.  It's nothing fancy, but solid. I decided to freshen up the chairs while I was in a painting mood, and they look so nice in white.

The little blue pots were also salvaged from the attic, just plain wicker baskets.  All in all, I've spent less than $50 to make my porch a place where I'd actually like to sit.  I planted some herbs in the blue pots, as well...dill, parsley, and basil.  I'm not quite finished.  I'd like to add some flowers and the perfect little table between my white chairs, but not too shabby for a weekend project, huh?  

There you have it.  July 2014, things are looking good and tasting great.  Next month, we should have a feast-worth if veggies to share.  Stay tuned...