(Above: one Brussel with muscle.) It’s the Olympics, so it must be time to start seedlings. That’s my measure. And whereas last week it was still solidly winter, this week Maryland will begin her flirtation with spring, rising to 70, before dropping us into the 30s again. Another signal. Maybe a dare: get ready! Suddenly,Continue reading “From the Plastic King to Spring”
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Are Your Clothes Killing You? Or Merry Microplastics & Happy New Year
It was the choking sea plankton that got me. The topic for Suburban Growing is gardening: growing your own food in suburbia, and tangentially health. During this off-season, while our gardens rest peacefully covered in leaves (that’s the goal and I’m confessing nothing) and snow, we have an opportunity to address larger issues associated growing and eatingContinue reading “Are Your Clothes Killing You? Or Merry Microplastics & Happy New Year”
Unexpected August Harvests
Sometimes I hate August gardening. Or so I say to myself as I pick my way through humid, wet, over-grown tomato plants that tangle with wild morning glory vines. Those crazy vines grow so fast, and twist around and around every vertical stalk or post or fence, through the other leaves, around the otherContinue reading “Unexpected August Harvests”
In Accord
My pool guy and I stood outside one early morning last week, talking about politics and sustainability. (We manage a property next door with a pool.) The absurdity of this situation was not lost on me. There is just nothing sustainable about a swimming pool. Unless you turn it into a fish pond, like my friendContinue reading “In Accord”
Sustain What?
This post was almost ready for scheduled posting 4/5 – but illness delayed it. And yesterday the chickens discovered the star of today’s show….they were very pleased with themselves. Luckily you can always buy more seedlings – and these guys will come back. Like I said about kale – well, read for yourself… The morningContinue reading “Sustain What?”
WHO Says?
This is a blog about gardening, growing you own food in a suburban setting. Creating your own food stream. Today we spend a minute or two on the why of gardening, on the larger picture of what we eat, and why, and who says so. It’s all my pediatrician’s fault. I sat in the pediatrician’sContinue reading “WHO Says?”
Tribute to White Chicken
Yesterday White Chicken was diagnosed. The real cause of her ill health was “internal egg laying.” There is no certain cause of internal laying, and no real cure. It means that a chicken’s yolks (ovum) begin to be deposited in her internal body cavity, rather than traveling down the oviduct, getting clothed in egg whiteContinue reading “Tribute to White Chicken”
Vent Gleet: Clearing Up Messy Vents in Laying Hens
Ohoh! You can’t hide and running away won’t help you, honey! Two of our chickens now have white discharge stuck to their butts, and this morning’s research suggests they have “vent gleet.” Hooray there are some easy fixes. Sharing this article with with you – here’s to poultry health! Messy vents are not uncommon forContinue reading “Vent Gleet: Clearing Up Messy Vents in Laying Hens”
Mary and Marianne
Like so many who survived The Great Depression, my mother’s mother was a big canner. I never knew Mary Scalbom Nicholson in those days – by the time we grandkids were snacking round her kitchen table, or massed around the big green picnic table in the backyard, Grama had given up canning tomatoes and peaches.Continue reading “Mary and Marianne”
Harvest Moon Racoon
What a summer! Chicken and veggie adventures! And here it is harvest again. End of year review — in words and photos: Year in review: 2016 – started out wet, but ended so very dry. Cool spring, so Asparagus came up late this year – (it loved the fall manure Edward put down! lots ofContinue reading “Harvest Moon Racoon”
Suburban Growing 