independence days - year 2 week 5

this year i'm feeling very challenged about gardening and everything else...too much going on and not enough time for it all! i restarted the id challenge to get me going and guilt me into being busy in ways i need to be.

want to play along? visit sharon (the creator of this great challenge) to read all about it!

lots of rain this week slowed us down a bit.

1. plant something
~buttercup squash (replanted)
~6 cukes
~2 tomatoes: juliette and paragon
~3 bell peppers
~reseeded watermelons
~california poppies (more)
~seeded foxglove
~sensitive fern
~zinnias

2. harvest something:
~milk
~eggs (chicken and turkey)
~various leaves for making my morning tea: sage, bergamot, thyme, oregano, echinacea, motherwort, dandelion, lemon balm, peppermint, spearmint
~grass from the lawn to mulch plants
~radishes, lettuce, spinach, chickweed, dandelion leaves, kale, mint, lemon balm, cilantro, dill, borage, lamb's quarters, dianthus blossoms for salad
~strawberries

3. preserve something:
~started rose petal infusion to make jelly

4. Reduce waste:
~use canvas bags at grocery store
~re-use egg cartons for our nest run eggs
~use plastic shopping bags for trash bags

5. Preparation and Storage:
~mulched paths
~weeded


6. build community food systems:
~sold eggs & milk to local people
~published june issue of herbal roots to teach children about using herbs medicinally and for food
~worked on willoughby farm master naturalist intern project, locating plants and grant writing
~bartered milk for produce at market

7. eat the food:
~weeds from my garden, using lamb's quarters sprouts by the handfuls (we let a lot go to seed last year)
~spinach, lettuce, radishes, chickweed, kale, chard, asparagus, dill, cilantro, borage, mint, lemon balm, carrots for salads
~strawberries
~strawberries