Bailey's Birds Fundraiser

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We're Growing Our Own

I thought I'd share a few ideas or how we planted our food garden this year.

This year we have two rows of beans planted different ways to see what works best.
Our Tri Color String Beans are planted in a double row, they were older seeds
so we had to go back after about a week & 1/2 and replanted in between with some
purple queen bush beans. We planted colored beans to make picking easier,
especially for the younger gardeners.

We also planted a row of Blue Lake Bush beans, in a single row.
Both are doing well

We planted Bush Pickler Cucumbers, at the front edge with Marigolds in between plants.
We already see the tiny cukes forming.

We planted Tomato transplants of Roma & Park's Whopper. The weather was so strange
that we lost a couple roma's and had to replace. We replaces with Black Krim
& Jubilee, tomatoes. All have caught up with one another and all are flowering
We should be picking before July 4th if we don't have another cool snap to stall growth.
We also will be tilling in some old eggs and nesting materials into the soil side
dressing the tomatoes with a dose of Calcium. We have used no additional fertilizers
on anything this year except Worm Castings.

We're looking up info on Black Krim & Jubilee to post this week, Just a little Tomato
FYI>

For peppers I backed down to only 2 varieties Sweet Bananas & Sweet Red Bells.
Due to unforeseen weather twists in the past I've had quite a loss & been
disappointed in the past. So I planted what I know everyone can eat or pickle.

I've planted the Ichiban Eggplants, because I love Eggplant and sneak it into
all sorts of dishes in the summer, and have even blended into my smoothies.
They are a beautiful plant with beautiful flowers, and with other varities
more beautiful colors even hot or fuschia pinky and white.

Detroit Red Beets, & Thumbellina Carrots as well as some Zucchini have just been
seeded in this past Thursday. As well as a variety of Sunflowers
Music Box, Valentine, Mixed Black Oil, & Alien Sunflowers. (I already see some of these
popping up out of the ground.

Here is a photo of my garden before I get to till this afternoon, if there is no more rain
and the winds keeps up to dry the garden out just a bit more.

So I've gotta get to making a quickie lunch so I can be ready to work this afternoon.

Oh wait we're going to pick up some local eggs from a neighbor too...
I'll take pics of the chickens and coop, I'd like to help him sell his eggs too
He also sold Daylilies at one point as well, Better carry my cash in case he's got a couple
earlies blooming...:)

Have a Nice Day
Here's My Garden



I'll definitely have to come back with an after picture when I get things cleaned up.

The weeds embarrass me...LOL

One Dollar Challenge

Please Support EarthSource Services and accept our

One Dollar Challenge

all you have to do is go to

http://gofundme.com/keepteamessfree

and donate Just One Dollar



One dollar for us will buy a pack of seeds for an 4' X 4' square of
raised bed gardening, & who knows how much produce from that one small plot.

One Dollar for us will print the handouts we need for the kids at 1 Workshop
Fun Informational Take home inspiration
(They might inspire their entire family)

What can you give up so you can share Just One Dollar with us.
An unhealthy candy bar
One less plastic bottled drink to add to a landfill
Less than 1 whole beer on college night or happy hour...LOL
A pack of Gum

Please help us
We want to teach the next generation to be more considerate of the world around us
maybe making them a more Organic/Sustainable society
of Generous, Caring, Intelligent, & healthier Young People.


^^This address works too http://gofundme.com/2weyus^^

We only have one planet Let's not Blow it.
Thanks for your time and consideration of our Challenge
Please Share with Everyone
~V


One of our seminars is also about how lots of people giving just a little
can really make a BIG difference.
You'll be a part of that when you Donate Just One Dollar.

(If you'd like to share more with us, we understand, and proudly accept)

Incorporate Edibles ~ Harvest Health

Incorporating edibles into your existing plantings is not
Rocket Science.
You can easily find something that will work with what
you annually plant.

I harvested this from a commercial planting bed
where it was my intentions for the employees to
take part and enjoy the benefits of having fresh
Swiss Chard at their disposal.

I believe a little leaf harvesting would have encouraged
more top growth and there in a larger show in the beds.
Alas they didn't take to the idea.

Thanks for the Chard, My family loved it, cooked the first night
and the rest will be in my vitamin packed Green Smoothies
& Saladworks.

This is Rhubarb Swiss Chard
(Harvested)


Cooking Chard is as easy at any other Greens

I washed the chard 3X to remove any grit, creatures, etc.
then put it straight from the wash water into the cooking pot, don't shake the excess.
add about 2 teaspoons oil of choice (I use Olive, you can use Bacon Grease)
1 tablespoon sweetener of choice
Then let set for starting 20 mins on med high heat covered.
Flip the greens in the pot after the first time is up. Set for another 20 mins. covered.
then taste, everyone has a different preference to how done they like their greens,
just test a little along, cooking in 20 minute intervals until done to your liking.

Serve as a side to most any dish.

I also let about half drain in a colander flipping a few times until mostly dry.
Then I put into a plastic zip bag for storage for raw use.
(Tip: exhale a small breath into the bag before closing for greens to stay fresh longer)


Lettuce 'Valerie' in containers
(25 Gal)


Jerusalem Artichokes/Sunchokes in containers
(25 gal, very invasive in ground)


Herbs work excellently in containers
Here's our Sweet Basil getting started last month
we've used off it 3 times already


We're featuring #Cilantro this week on our #TwitterFeed so check it out
@HerbGir1972


Have a Great day
~V

Tip Tuesday 4/15/2014

It's Tax Day be sure to finish your returns before Midnight.

It is a good thing to also find joy in good things you do for others.

Use reusable bottles & cups to carry your hydration in, reduce
plastic buildup in landfills.

You can reuse plastic water bottles as long as you wash them
properly in between uses.

To get children to try new food install a try me bite policy
early in life. Try twice in one sitting, the first bite may already
be decided upon in tier minds because of color or how it sits on
the plate. A second bite actually allows them to taste.

I a child doesn't like mashed potatoes because of texture issues.
Give them an opened slightly mashed baked potato. Allow them to add
salt, pepper, chives, cheese...When they prepare themselves they are more
apt to eat their creation. Do not let them go over board and waste food.

Compost and Reduce organic wastes in your household, Also brings
awareness to the reality of wastefulness to some.

Making your kids a worm bin is fun, and when you prepare fruits and
veggies they can feed their worms, Be sure not to let them overfeed their pets.

Grow your own food, get the family involved, it Saves money, Brings people
together, you're eating better quality in which you control, no chemicals,
pesticides, or growth regulators.

Grow a row for the hungry, give to your local food bank, or needy person/family
in your area.

One way to cut calories in your diet, drop a slice of bread on your sandwiches.
Open faced sandwiches cut at least 40 calories per slice of bread.
(Don't compensate with additional toppings)

Fix leaky faucets, install low pressure shower heads, and teach kids to not let
the water run to save money and conserve water.

Do something meaningful with you children. Raise money for a charity,
Volunteer, Help an elderly neighbor, even random acts of kindness. It costs
nothing to be kind, and you might just be giving a person hope at just the
moment they need it most.

Good things are not hard to find, look close to home for smaller, miracles of life.

Watch Horton Hears A Who with young ones or by yourself, it really is a good message.

I hope you all have a good day
Get your Taxes Done
Be Excellent to one another.

New Chicks Interview 4/12/2014

ESS :Hello Bailey Hope you are well this a.m.?
Bailey :Yes I am well

ESS :We Hear you're getting possible Easter Chicks this year?
Bailey :They hatched from eggs in 20 days at my School.

ESS :How do you feel about baby chicks, what do you expect to do with them?
Bailey :I feel very very happy about the baby chicks. I expect to take good
care of them.

ESS : Do you expect to make them a pet?
Bailey : Yes, but we can't keep them out in the open or cats will get them.

ESS :What do chickens do for a garden?
Bailey :They Poop to make fertilizer, and scratch the soil loose.

ESS : What do Chickens Eat?
Bailey :They can eat about anything.

ESS : Will your chicks be omnivores or vegetarians?
Bailey :I will feed them Vegetables, so they will be like me vegetarians.

ESS: Thanks for a little time this morning, see you later.
Bailey: Hugs and Kisses to all

Everyday is Earth Day ~ Plant More Trees

(I hope you like my quicky art)

Are you aware of how many different ways Trees make likfe better?
Here is a list of just a few from

http://www.arborday.org/

Trees Fight Climate Change http://www.arborday.org/globalwarming/treesHelp.cfm (more here)
Saves Energy at your home
Greener Communities are cooler communities
Absorbing carbon dioxide and storeing carbon

National Tree Benefits Calculator https://www.arborday.org/calculator/index.cfm? (more here)
Make trees work for you & save you money

How to Plant Trees to Conserve Energy http://www.arborday.org/globalwarming/summerShade.cfm (more here)
Summer Shade
•you use less energy
•the utility company uses less energy
•less fossil fuel is consumed by the utility to create the energy
•less fossil fuel consumption means less carbon dioxide emissions

Winter Warmth
Plant an evergreen conifer windbreak on the north and northwest of your home to block cold winter winds.
Deciduous trees loose there leaves allowing a solarizing effect, the sun warms your home.

There is loads more information at this site I encourage you to get informed
research other fields of study in this same topic.
Be a tree Nerd, it's really cool

http://www.arborday.org/


I agree with these words but they are not entirely my own.
Keep it Green ~V

Awesome Edibles ~ Printable Garden Group Topic

This is from one of my past Garden Discussions
I hope you find this information useful

One of my missions is to get everyone to incorporate edibles
into their garden designs. Whether full scale beds or containers, or
single plant planting in pots.

Keep It Green
~V

Guacamole~So Ez ~So Good Don't forget the Cilantro

Guacamole seems like quite an exotic thing when I was younger
But now that I am older and appreciate the flavor of each ingredient as well as it's origin
I have to have it & the more Cilantro the better for me at least.
It is so easy to make I do not understand why they sell an enveloped mix

Please try and tweak to your fave flavors
there are a couple substitutions here as we do like the SOur Cream version the best.

It's healthy for you eat it on everything in moderation as is with everything in life.

I hope you enjoy.

First get your ingredients together

Ingredients:
2 Avocados, ripe
Sour cream
Minced Garlic
Cilantro fresh is best
Lime Juice
salt
pepper
1 Jalapeno Minced (with seeds for spicier flavor remove and devein for milder)
Equiptment:
a bowl for mixing & a fork for mashing



You can see I'm using pantry items that a lot of folks
already have on hand

Directions:

Start by peeling your 2 Avocados, you end up using about 3 teaspoons of lime juice I simply
sprinkle on the avocados whilst I am peeling to prevent browning. Mash with a fork, it does not have to be super creamed it is better to me with small chucks on Avocado. But it is to your own taste if you want it creamy you can even blend it.





I then add 1 tablespoon of Garlic minced



2 Tablespoons of Sour Cream you can use Low fat or full fat (we've even used mayo, and greek yogurt)





Chop a bit of fresh cilantro
Curl fingers under to get a good mince and not cut your fingers







Find yourself aProfessional salt & Pepper shaker and stirring expert



And you're done



Thanks for taking a moment with my blog
You are appreciated
~v

Biodiversity in Your Gardens ~ Manage your nasties

Manage your nasties with Biodiversity in Your Gardens



Natural places with a greater variety of plant species experience fewer outbreaks of pests.
Try to follow in natures footsteps in your own backyard. Incorporation of these Guilds will increase your pleasure & decrease your pest worries.

Create your own Plant Guilds
(Plant Guilds are different varieties of plant that grow together requiring the same conditions that exist in harmonious balance)

Insect Feeding plants
Pollen & Nectar are essential foods for many beneficials. Like you, they require energy to hunt and reproduce, Plant sources supplement the prey they eat for energy.

Insect attracting
Some plants are pest prone, these are good for feeding your beneficials as well. Lay a trap to feed your predatory creatures and allow them to reproduce and protect your garden even further.

Strongly Scented plants
Leaf eaters will avoid these and plants nearby. Planting plants od non green colors although they have an attracting scent leaf munching critters have a harder time finding them.

Outdoor Perennial Conservatory
Plant Perennials to shelter beneficials in harsh weather. Native plants are usually more xeric and return each year even the plant debris mulches and protects some beneficial species of insects. These beds usually need minimal upkeep.

Plant flowering plants like zinnias & marigolds along with your edibles your edibles to attract pollenating insects and increase your harvests.

It is important for us to find NON CHEMICAL ways to take care of our gardens. The impact of chemicals on our quality of life is truly a Phantom Menace. Convenience of sprays and dust are not what you want to put into the soil or into your body. Avoid it at all costs.

10 beneficials you should get to know
www.organicgardeningguru.com/beneficial-insects


I will post some Botanical Pesticides & Homemade Pesticide Recipes in the coming weeks