Independence Days: The Is It Spring Yet? Edition

Belatedly, it’s time for another Independence Days update. We’ve had another substantial snow since the first update (20 inches!). It all melted within 48 hours, leaving a big, muddy mess. It’s only recently gotten dry enough to play in the dirt again–and more snow is on the way. But it’s almost 7 PM and it’s still light out. True spring is coming. It feels so good to spend time outside, even if it’s still quite chilly, getting my hands into the dirt.

Plant something: Serrano chiles and more sprouting peas inside; arugula, two types of spinach, and mustard greens outside. I’ve prepared the bed for peas, but did not have a chance to plant them.

Harvest something: Pea sprouts and microgreens for salad.

Preserve something: Chicken stock

Waste not: Composting, recycling, donating or passing on items instead of tossing them. Only unusual thing was collecting coffee grounds from several local Starbucks to add to the compost.

Want not: Purchased some new garden tools at a reasonable price, and found a source for reasonably priced organic fertilizer. I’d love to make my garden grow using compost alone, but without livestock to make their contribution to the cause, we sometimes need a little boost.

Eat the food: Many meals with freezer beef, local eggs, and on-hand staples. Making bread regularly.

Community food systems: Getting eggs from the Cat-Herder’s co-worker. Starting seedlings for friends with less space. Will be bartering veggies as partial payment for yoga classes as the garden starts to produce.

Skill up!: I’ve been lazy in this area where gardening and sustainable living skills are concerned, though I’m working on my marketing/social media skills.