Wordless Wednesday: Sprouting Seedlings

My seeds are officially sprouting!  So far, basil, calendula and rainbow chard have sprouted.  Come on summer!

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NOFA-NH Spring Bulk Order

I know the words "Spring" and "garden" are the last thing on our minds in the negative degree whether, but alas, it will be upon us before we know it!  NOFA-NH has put out their Spring bulk order information as follows:

THINK SPRING!! With the growing season right around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about ordering supplies. A service of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH, the Spring Bulk Order is the perfect opportunity to order organic fertilizers, soil amendments, potting soil, cover crop seeds, seed potatoes, mulching straw and supplies all while helping NOFA support organic practices throughout the state. The Bulk Order is open to NH farmers, gardeners and landscapers...members and non-members alike. Take advantage of savings made possible by group purchasing power and collective shipping! 

ORDERING DEADLINE: FEB 11, 2011 

Pickup dates for 2011 are: March 12th and 13th. To read more about the Bulk Order or to download a form please visit the NOFA website. Orders can be placed via mail or phone by February 11, 2011 and customers have a choice of 3 pickup locations in Andover, Weare or Candia, NH. Please help us reach our 2011 fundraising goals by participating in the Bulk Order AND by telling friends or posting copies of your Bulk Order Form at your local feed store, general store, coffee shop etc. Remember that non-members are welcome to participate in the Bulk Order for a small surcharge OR take the opportunity to become a member.  For more information contact: Jennifer Quinlivan 603-731-1182 

NOFA-NH is a non-profit organization of nearly 700 farmers, gardeners, and consumers that actively promotes regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices, ecologically-sound land care, and local, organic food systems. NOFA-NH educates farmers, gardeners, land care providers, and consumers of food on the benefits of natural, organic, and ecological growing practices.

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One Your Mark...

...get set, GARDEN!  This is THE weekend to put in your tomatoes, squash, eggplant and peppers!  So you may need some seed starts if you didn't start your own.  Here are some places to go for seed starts:

Farmers' Markets this Saturday

• Portsmouth - City Hall parking lot - 8 am - 1 pm
• Newmarket - the Stone Church - 9 am - 1 pm
• Rochester Four Corners - at the intersection of 202A, Estes & Meaderboro Rd. - 10 am - 2 pm
• Farmington - corner of Central & Main Streets, behind TD Bank, 8:30 am -12:30 pm
• New Durham - off of Depot Road, 9 am to 1pm

On Sunday:

• Newburyport, MA - Tannery Marketplace - 9 am - 1 pm

Also, visit the other various markets through the week if you don't want to or can't get out this weekend.  A fairly concise market list is posted on the right-hand column of this blog.

Various greenhouses open around the area:

• New Roots Farm Organic Greenhouse in Newmarket, NH
• Catnip Acres Farm in Epping, NH
• Mud Meadow Farm & Gardens, Wells, ME
• Dr. Tomato's Organic Seedlings, available at Dover Agway Farm Supplies and Rochester Blue Seal
• Leap Frog Farm (organic), 65 Gear Rd (off Route 125) in Rochester, NH
• Tuttle's Red Barn, Dover, NH
• Come Back & Flower (open weekends), Upperfactory Rd., Dover, NH
• Cameron's Home and Garden, Farmington, NH
• Pearson's Greenhouses, Farmington, NH 
• Riverside Farm Stand & Greenhouse, N. Berwick, ME
• Wentworth Greenhouses, Rollinsford, NH

Plant Sales:
The Dover ReStore will be host for the Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity plant sale on Saturday May 29th.  All kinds of plants will be available in the parking lot area of the store, and those who purchase $10 or more in plants, or make an equivalent donation, will receive 20% off their in-store purchases that day. 

I'm also a big fan of Square Foot Gardening...anyone can garden this way!  I may not have alot of space to garden traditionally, but with the Square Foot Methods, I truly am maximizing my harvest for the space I have.  And if you live in a small apartment, I encourage you to still grow something!  Whether it's a hanging tomato plant of a pot of lettuce, give it a go this year!  It's such a joy to see the seeds grow and then reap the rewards of the harvest.

So where do you buy your seedlings from?

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Managing Pests & Diseases Lecture 2

Your Organic Vegetable Garden: Managing Pests & Diseases

Due to popular demand, a second date has been scheduled! Many home and community gardeners have taken up growing vegetables in recent years as a way of eating locally and lessening their carbon footprint. This rewarding pursuit comes with its own set of challenges — those vegetables we find so delicious can be equally attractive to a range of insects and host disease. This presentation will cover the identification of pests and diseases common to growing vegetables. Organic methods of prevention and management will be also discussed, with a special focus on identifying and preventing Late Blight.

Some of you may already know Eric Sideman through his informative Pest Reports for MOFGA. Eric earned a BS in agriculture from Cornell University, an MS in biology from Northeastern University and a PhD in Botany from the University of New Hampshire. He moved to Maine in 1982 to teach biology and ecology at Bates College. In 1986 he moved on to MOFGA to become what some call "the nation's first Organic Extension Agent." He provides technical support for farmers and gardeners, serves as staff scientist for MOFGA, plans and produces educational events for MOFGA and Cooperative Extension, and serves on various agricultural committees for the Maine Department of Agriculture and the University of Maine. From 1997 to 2002 Eric served a term on the National Organic Standards Board, an advisory board to the USDA National Organic Program. Eric has recently moved to New Hampshire, just over the border from Maine, and now MOFGA has a great opportunity to give support to farmers and gardeners a long way from Unity.

This event is free and open to the public. It is being offered as a collaboration between MOFGA, Seacoast Eat Local, and Seacoast Community Garden Network.


Speaker: Eric Sideman, Organic Crop Specialist, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)
Place: Portsmouth Public Library – Levenson Room, 175 Parrott Ave, Portsmouth, NH
Date: Thursday, June 10, 2010
Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.

To RSVP or for more information, please email debra@seacoasteatlocal.org.

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A Weekend in Pictures

This weekend I mixed it up a bit.  I went to two Maine farmers' markets, the Kennebunk Farmers' Market and Saco Farmers' Market.  It was fun to see new markets and different farms and people!  I also bought my squash, tomato, pepper, squash and eggplant seedlings this weekend!  The garden is coming right along!  Here are pics from the markets and my garden...

Kennebunk Farmers' Market:

Saco Farmers' Market:

My garden, freshly watered and planted!

I have three new 4'x4' raised beds.  One contains 25 strawberry plants and 80 onions!  The other two contain a mix of things and I still have the original two 4'x8' beds.  I have planted out my tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers.  Some tomato varieties I am growing are Oregon Spring, Black Sea Man, Super Sweet 100, Sun Gold, Bush Beefsteak and San Marzano.  Some of the pepper plants I'm growing include Mohawk Sweet Bell, Cubanelle, Pimento, Jalapeno, Red Ace and Lady Bell. 

Other things in my garden include Swiss chard, chives, broccoli, cabbage, peas, nasturtium, at least 150 onions, zucchini, summer squash, spaghetti squash, cucumbers, and green beans.  I'm sure I forgot something!  I can't wait to be getting those nice summertime harvests!  I still want to get some potatoes going like I did last year, just trying to find the perfect bag!  I also have one Jerusalem artichoke I need to replant outside (and far away from) my raised beds.  This week I have lots of repotting to do as I've picked up a bunch of herbs and I'd like to trying a few tomatoes and eggplants in containers as well.  The gardening never stops!

How was your weekend and how is your garden growing?

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Organic Gardening Is Spreading!

NOFA-NH PARTNERS IN THE CREATION OF ORGANIC SEACOAST GARDEN PLOTS AT WAGON HILL FARM, DURHAM, NH

CONCORD, NH, USA, April 16, 2010

Organic Gardening Is Spreading! The Northeast Organic Farming Association has been “The Voice of Organics” for over thirty-five years. NOFA was formed to serve organic farmers, gardeners and land care professionals as well as health conscious consumers of organically grown food. Since 1980 the NH Chapter of NOFA has been educating its members and the people of NH about the benefits of organic agriculture and provides assistance to growers.

Continuing its mission in the Granite State and in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, NOFA-NH has partnered with Timberland and Community Gardens for All to initiate plans for creating organic seacoast garden plots at the historic Wagon Hill Farm in Durham.

Thirty people gathered at Thompson Hall on the UNH campus to attend the First Public Wagon Hill Farm Community Garden meeting on Sunday, April 11th. The conceptual garden plans were shared, possibilities discussed, and an all organic community garden was the consensus.

Come to Wagon Hill Farm on Route 4 in Durham on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22^nd 2010. Community involvement is welcomed and encouraged. Lunch, tools and supplies will be provided by Timberland. Parking is limited, make the earth greener and carpool with your friends and family members.

Digging and building these organic garden plots will commence at 9:00 am on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22^nd 2010.  All are welcome to join in the excitement and festivities of carving out this new organic community garden.

NOFA-NH recognizes that farmers, gardeners, and consumers of organic products share a "community of interests”: a common need to grow and consume safe, healthy, nutritious, great-tasting food; and, a common interest in preserving a healthy environment that nurtures all of us. NOFA-NH offers educational workshops, farm tours, publications, and a winter conference to re-establish a shared sense of participation in the community-based food systems. Visit NOFANH.org for more info!

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A Springy Weekend

I am over the moon right now!  My garden is sprouting!  I took a risk and planted just a bit of Swiss chard and peas back on March 17th.  And sure enough, it's popping out of the garden!  Today I planted more chard and peas as well as (purple) carrots, beets, radishes, lettuce, and tended to my one little wintered kale.

Before I got to gardening though, I spent the day be-bopping around NH.  I started the morning at the last Seacoast Eat Local Winter Farmers' Market in Exeter.  I love seeing all my friends at the markets!  I picked up a nice lunch of potato hash from White Heron Tea.  (Check out Warren Farm's blog about their experience at the market today and what Amy is pondering and an update on her homesteading life.)  Now we can officially move on to the spring and summer markets!  Can't believe summer is on our doorstep...

After the market I zipped up to the Made in NH Expo.  What a fun time that was!  There were so many food samples and lovely products to browse.  I purchased some spice mixes from Camp Mix, one of which is a mix of granulated honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  I can't wait to try it on my oatmeal...  I also picked up this really neat ceramic grater for garlic, nutmeg, cheese etc.  Hope it works well (it did during the demo)!  The last thing I snagged was the new SPF 30 sunscreen/bug repellent from Badger Balms.  This sunscreen is highly rated by the Environmental Working Group. 

The Made in NH Expo will be open Sunday from 10 am - 4 pm.

The last stop of the day was the A Market Natural Foods Store in Manchester.  It was my first time there and it was quite a lovely store.  They had a very thorough selection of natural and organic products.  If you're in the area, be sure to check them out.

Oh, I have a gluten-free product review coming up for you!  Should be up within the next week, be sure to stop on back here!

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Wordless Wednesday: One Potato, Two Potato

Harvested my potatoes today..."only" 5 lbs, but way more than I expected! Mashed potatoes here I come! Growing in bags does work! Can't wait to tweak this method next year.

From this (6/1):To this (6/24):To today's harvest:

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Wordless Wednesday: Garden Promise

My garden's promise of a harvest! (Well if the rain doesn't kill everything!)

Snow pea blossoms


Rain drop broccoli


Zucchini the size of a pinkie finger


Poblano pepper (the front one doesn't look too healthy)


Green tomato


Bags of potatoes

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Rooting for Tomatoes!

Here's one quick trick on how to get the most from your tomato plants...

My sister-in-law shared this tomato planting trick. For the square foot method, plant the tomato root at the corner of one square and bury the stem (leaves removed) so the plant comes up in the center of the square. It will be laying on it's side for a few hours but will quickly grow up towards the sun. The buried stem will now grow additional roots creating a strong root system for the tomato. The same can be done in containers or in the garden, just bury the stem of the tomato plant and grow even more roots!

Organic Gardening magazine has some more fabulous tomato growing tips. Here are a few I'll highlight and the rest can be found here in the online article.

Pluck the first flowers.
Growing deep, extensive roots and a full leaf canopy will help establish newly transplanted tomatoes. Many experienced tomato growers pull off the first flowers, so the plant does not devote energy to forming fruit before its roots and foliage have filled out. Amy Goldman, who grows hundreds of heirloom tomatoes in her Rhinebeck, New York, garden each season, reports, "I pull off all the flowers until the plants reach at least 1 foot tall." She also pulls off all the suckers (shoots that emerge from the main stem below the first fruiting branch).

Feed the soil first.
Avoid the common mistake of overfeeding your tomatoes. They thrive in soil that's rich in humus for extensive, well-nourished root systems and potassium (K) for strong stems. Add too much nitrogen (N) and you'll have a big, lush plant with very little fruit.

Mulch for sure.
While plastic mulch has proved its worth, all-natural mulches also help tomatoes grow well. Surround your plants with a layer of straw, leaves, dried grass clippings or pine needles and it will keep the plants' roots cool, prevent weeds from sprouting around them and retain moisture in the soil. Because these mulches keep the soil cool, don't apply them until after the soil warms to 65 degrees F.

Warren Farm in Barrington, NH has also confirmed their PYO red or green tomatoes will remain $1/pound this year. Get your canning gear out! Sign up here for their mailing list to be kept up on when their vegetable and fruit harvests are ready. (Hint: strawberries are out in their farm stand already!)

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Welcome to my Garden

I finally snapped some, okay, a ton of pictures this weekend while that bright shiny thing in the sky peeked out from behind the clouds! I'm amazed at how quickly the garden has taken hold and I've already harvested lettuce, spinach and Swiss chard! I'm going to let the pictures do the talking for the most part...enjoy!

Lemon Balm in a container on the back porch:


Purslane from Dr. Tomato's organic seedlings at the Rochester Blue Seal


Rosemary on the back porch as well...can you smell that focaccia bread?


Basil for pesto


Garlic chives for...something!


Sort of struggling box 'o' herbs...I think it'll bounce back and grow up real strong


Future Mashed Potatoes of America Club members


New to the garden, King Richard leeks


One of six pepper plants in my garden, this one is a poblano pepper


Red bowl and green bowl lettuce almost ready for harvest


Climbing up Snow Pea Mountain


Hello carrots


Broccoli monster


One of...many tomato plants! And the lonely cilantro on the left.


Onions growing right along. I have 4.5 squares of onions with roughly 16 onions growing in each square.


Name that seedling...Steve accidentally sent a frozen Halloween pumpkin through the snow blower last winter and I think this might be a pumpkin seedling. I transplanted it from the edge of the driveway to my garden. We'll see what grows!


And for the grand finale, here's a few views of the two garden beds this past weekend.
This bed was filled with soil just last week. Still 11 square feet of space to grow! Cucumbers and green bean seeds are planted along the fence.




And...this is what my garden looked like a little over a month ago on April 28th!!

Check out Amy's garden posts at What Did She Do Today?. Penny-Wise People has a nice local garden coming along as well.

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Sauteed Swiss Chard with Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Ok, let me preface this post by saying, do as I say, not as I did! For lunch today we had Parmesan Crusted Tilapia (not local, I don't even know which fish are local as I'm totally not a fish person!) with Sauteed Swiss Chard and boxed couscous. This is actually a fairly quick week night meal and very flavorful.

I had two wonderful children beneath my feet while I was attempting this recipe so I missed a few steps and definitely used powdered garlic and dried onion. I wouldn't suggest the last two, stick with fresh red onion and minced garlic! I will be making this again as I harvested the chard from my garden! Swiss chard is very plentiful at the farmers' markets now as well.

Sauteed Swiss Chard with Parmesan Cheese

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 bunch Swiss chard, stems and center ribs cut out and chopped together, leaves coarsely chopped separately
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste (optional)

Directions:
1. Melt butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Stir in the garlic and onion, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the chard stems and the white wine.
4. Simmer until the stems begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in the chard leaves, and cook until wilted.
6. Finally, stir in lemon juice and Parmesan cheese; season to taste with salt if needed.

And here's the recipe for the tilapia from Rachael Ray's magazine:

Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspooons paprika
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 tilapia fillets (about 1 pound total)
1 lemon, cut into wedges
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 400º. In a shallow dish, combine the cheese with the paprika and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the fish with olive oil and dredge in the cheese mixture. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake until the fish is opaque in the thickest part, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve the fish with the lemon wedges.

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