Clearing Out My Allotment

I took some time and cleared out my allotment a few weeks ago.  Pulling potatoes is the most theraputic!  I also think it would be the greatest for kids to help with–digging holes and planting seed potatoes in the spring and summer, constantly piling up soil around the potatoes during the year, and digging them up when they're ready!  What fun! I also cut some of the proliferating calendula blooms for tea as well as a few pattypan squash

 As I was clearing out my plot I pulled some dandelion root to dry for tea, as well as some more plantain spears to dry for grain.

Lastly I found some mint roots hiding out underground, which I pulled and will plant under my tree to add to my mint/lemon balm/peppermint forest :)

Barter Gardening

I planted a chunk of seeds and seedlings in my friend's garden that i'm planting as a barter for drum lessons.  It was a beautiful day! I'm always amazed at how time flies when I'm gardening–I tend to forget to eat...

We made a bed of beans, tomatoes, peppers and spinach, and a second bed of bok choy, beets, and arugula.  Yum!

Living with Roommates–Part 2

A tricky part about living with neighbours...  When they have dogs your beautiful beds might look like this when you come back from a weekend retreat... And your heart might break a little...

So you might have to suck it up and buy some fencing from the dollar store, which will hopefully keep the dog at bay...  Crossing my fingers!

Bartering–Baby Steps

I'm trying the bartering thing.  In doing all the considering about money that I've been doing, I can't help but consider what things I can barter for.  It's fantastic to do a run down of all the things you have to offer and make a list of all the things you spend money on.  It's nice to categorize the things you spend money on and think if there's any way you can sart spending less money on those things–whether it's exchanging time to get those things for free–who you could ask for some of those things (the internet and social networking is your friend!) or if you can live without.

To start, I'm exchanging planning and starting a friends veg garden for hand drumming lessons–a great skill for when I'm singing, and great for when I'm teaching!

Sites like SwapSity are great for skill and product exchanges.  And never overlook Kijiji or Craigslist if you're looking for things–try to find used before you go new!  I've gotten free haircuts on Craigslist and there are always "Curb Alerts" about things seen on the side of the road.  There really is no need to spend money on new products ALL the time, and you'd be surprised how many skills your friends have....

Free Garden Edging

As we were digging out my plot, there were TONS of rocks coming up and being shifted out to the yard. Today I started collecting those and making a free edging for the plot!  Free and cute!

If I can't edge the whole plot with rocks from my own garden, I'll start collecting them in my walks.  It will be a nice habit to start!  The city is beautiful when you keep your eyes open for little treasures :)

Gardening Journal

Do it!

First time I've remembered to do it and I'm already relieved! Especially since I'm doing things on such a large scale.  Mostly I'm looking forward to not having to figure out dates as much next year as I'll know when I planted everything! Further I'll know what worked well where when I did what–supremely valuable info!