Free as a bird

That is how I felt after experimenting Craniosacral therapy. I went in feeling extremely stiff and sore and came out light with a bounce in my step. Of course I still get tired and my neck and mid back is stiff but that is what the physical therapy is for. I must say that the laundry is pilling though. I took a crack at it on monday and found it extremely tiring to pick the wet clothes out of the washer and throw then into the dryer.... So I obviously crashed (went to bed) early. 


My tiny seedlings are already emerging out of their earth pods. I love this time of year even though it sure does not feel like spring... snow was blowing sideways on sunday. I'm on the look out for a light system for my lovelies.  I highly doubt they are getting enough daylight as is. Surprisingly it's not something you can just go out and buy at the Canadian Tire. 


The Herb Essencer I ordered is being shipped and my test pictures will be ready for pick up this week. 

A better way

Last year I learned how resilient plants are. Even though they had a rough go at it before making it to their final destination on the Island, we still had plenty of veggies to eat and can. This year I am leaning more on organic companion planting and the type of environment each plants longs for in order to be all they they can be.

This year I've done things a little different. I still planted the seeds in my kitchen using trays with pods but this time I chose the kind I kind transplant in the ground along with my seedlings. I've also chosen to forgo small pots in lieu of the largest I could find. I spent too many frenetic hours trying to water my poor dry as a bone plants after being gone for only a few days. I've gone even more simple now. The last seeding I did was straight into the tray with no pods. So far so good.

Because our spring was so mild and beautiful, I was tricked into planting too early. Now I have full grown Beans and my Cucumber are already flowering. I realize I will not get show pieces by having the roots bound in a too small container but at least this year they are going straight to the green house or garden on the island. No more limbo waiting for the Island sale to go through... Oh and of course, this time I made sure all my pots had good drainage and were bigger.

I haven't yet succumbed to the temptation of installing grow lights unto the shelves I've again placed in our living room in front of the window and sliding door. Of course I see the benefit but just have not gotten around to it. I do know where to get them though.

Yesterday I put my plants outside for some real light. I created a wind barrier with chairs I placed on their sides. I learned last year how badly the beans take to wind. They get all tangled and the leaves go soft. However, I noticed after a few hours of how sun that my beans were still having a hard time. So I took them in and gave them some water with fertilizer and they perked right up. I left the tomatoes, cucumbers and peas out though. They seemed to fare better outside.

This weekend I am taking as many plants as I can. This way I won't have to make a trip by myself with all my plants, place them in our little Runabout boat trying to not go so fast, dying a thousand deaths as I watch my beauties flop around in the wind. The top is gonna be on the big boat and I'll have the benefit of my husband's vim and vigor on this annual pilgrimage.

The illusive Red Squirrels

I thought by not minding it if the Squirrel helps himself to my Sunflowers nature would balance itself out. In my mind I accepted it as a sort of tithe. But I now have noticed after opening our pantry that He viciously found his way inside our cottage and ransacked it. I now realize that they are scavengers intent on hording no matter how full their reserves are. I am now intent on capturing the rascal and depositing him on main land.

Last week I bought a new mulch I wanted to try but it looks more like an invitation to my garden. The squirrel found my bag of cocoa shell mulch in record time. So I put some in the trap and said goodbye to our resident peregrine falcons before making our way towards the boat where we found the squirrel. We try to trap it with a tarp hopping to dump it on the main land but the little bugger gets away and flies out of the boat back unto our island. A few more seconds and he would have been a goner.

On our return, I surveyed the trap. To my dismay it was shut and both the mulch and the squirrel were gone. Somehow he always manages to get what he wants without meeting his demise. Note to self: I guess this means war!

So far so good

We are in the city during the week but at the first sign of the weekend we pack up our gear and load our Expedition Max with building and garden materials setting out to our corner of paradise... an Island on the North Shore of Georgian bay. We started renovating in the fall and did not miss a beat all winter. Now that Spring has sprung we've put away our snowmobiles for our 21 foot Princecraft/ 225 optimax. It skims the water no matter how heavily leaden we fill it.

Next summer's to do list

I have the winter to prepare an attractive habitat for Humming Birds, Bats and Chicken.

Somehow Lambsquater infiltrated my crops and I raised an out of control common weed as a one of my plants. So. To me it's one. http://toadhill.tripod.com/lambsquarter.htm Looking into it a little more, I noticed it wins in nutrients above all vegetable... and is loved by Grasshoppers. http://mint.ippc.orst.edu/lambsquarter.htm Bitter sweet discovery... It's among the "Big Five" garden pests I want to control next year. (Grasshoppers, Slugs, Aphids, Catterpilers and Moskitos) Do I trust nature even if I have not seen a grasshopper on my Lambsquater...yet? What if I raise Grasshoppers? Are they good for anything? Let me see.... During the depression, some farmers successfully used turkeys to control grasshoppers. Sounds interesting. Another reason to have a couple of free range chicken ;)