Our Somewhat-Urban Homestead: First sprouts, and then some...

Friday, June 5, 2015

First sprouts, and then some...

Last weekend we finally finished the last of the planting, late as it was. By this point we are usually thinning the rows of beet and radish, this year the first of the latter are only now poking through the soil. That being said, we've added some new additions to our plant list; sunflowers, and these little green gems:

tiny bok choy sprouts - these are excellent eaten raw or lightly steamed

I love bok choy. Just ask my husband, who is less-than-thrilled when I try to sneak the veggie into every Asian-themed stir fry or salad I make. I can't help myself, it is just so darn tasty! And this variety I discovered from our seed company are meant to be picked young when just 3 inches tall which means I should get at least two, maybe three crops out of them this summer!

Another aspect I love from our garden is the sheer variety of shades of green. From the muted blue-ish green tops of mature onions to the bright green of the raspberry bushes I am constantly amazed at the tonal cornucopia nature provides us. Have I mentioned green is my favourite colour?

an apple beginning to take shape

cooking onions and garlic

raspberry flowers - I believe this means we have missed our window to transplant

Much to my delight the new annual vegetables we planted are not the only things sprouting; some of the perennial edibles have begun to bloom their flowers as well.

thyme flowers are known to be one of the favourite nectar sources for bees

our "grape" clusters have also begun to flower - here's hoping we get fruit!

a tiny fly collects nectar from a rhubarb flower - can you spot it?

So far I would say it's been a good start to the growing season. Now will come the more difficult part of keeping the gardens weeded. Any helpers?

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When my husband and I bought our first home our decision to dig up the side yard must have been met with looks of bewilderment from our family and neighbours. What were we doing?

Seventy years ago it would have been called a “victory garden" yet today such a term is not wildly used. However the idea remains the same: a small-ish garden planted in an urban setting to either sufficiently feed, or at least supplement, the diet of an individual family. Nowadays another name has cropped up – the urban homestead. Yet as we live in a small town opposed to a big city, we have chosen the term “somewhat-urban homestead” to describe our home.

For us, the decision to embark on a rather time intensive and physically exhausting way of living was a matter of sustainability and the ability to show our three sons where food truly comes from. So shovels in hand we made the decision to be a little more self-sufficient, and after four summers we’ve proven it to be a success.

Overall this has been a thoroughly enjoyable process. Though the work can be difficult, the taste of a freshly picked meal is beyond compare. I love that in the heart of winter I can still take out a preserve from the pantry or sliced vegetables from the freezer and know it was created by our hands. I love the look of pride in my husband’s eyes when he comes in at night, dirt-covered and sore yet satisfied in a job well done.

This has also been a positive experience for our children: It has taught them that very tangible rewards follow their tenacity and dedication. With any luck we’ve also taught them the importance of growing food free from pesticides and other chemicals, and how being as self-sufficient as possible is not crazy but good! And if they can take these lessons with them into adulthood, they’ll be the better for it.

Thank you for sharing in our journey!