tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54305127987553696432011-09-17T08:21:47.460-05:00A blog about my efforts to be a little more sustainable than I am, to be a little more independent than I am, to live a little better, in the Chicago suburbs.ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.comBlogger991100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-48507573478863033432011-07-09T23:42:00.002-05:002011-07-09T23:46:06.380-05:00

This is absolutely ridiculous. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2012640/Woman-faces-jail-growing-vegetables-yard.htmlI have been an urban planner (AICP, the whole nine yards). I am a gardener. I am appalled by the Oak Park position. I am even more appalled to see a member of what is supposed to be a forward looking ("planning", duh) profession act in this fashion. I understand that he

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-19605462496814998722011-06-18T23:13:00.003-05:002011-06-18T23:18:12.128-05:00

The garden is looking good.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-54360537033744192132011-06-11T09:09:00.002-05:002011-06-11T09:18:14.715-05:00

The garden is looking pretty well. I was able to get some more cages so I actually have 54 inch cages for all sixteen tomatoes, and the continuing attempt to go vertical will include some added trellises The garden has had a few rough days on the last few with some strong storms coming through but we managed to avoid the hail.I will add more picture of the other beds and hopefully the trellises

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-65631910712501212452011-06-08T12:08:00.002-05:002011-06-08T12:10:00.205-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts. With Spring upon us yard/garden work ruled the time I had available. That combined with a passing the family really absorbed every shred of time I had. More posts soon.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-52056651302341767582011-04-30T12:40:00.004-05:002011-04-30T13:05:58.900-05:00

Having a busy day. My wife is away caring for her ailing mother (any prayers or positive vibes appreciated) and we dearly miss her, but she is where she needs to be. In her absence and considering the weather (which is verging on perfect) I am doing all the yard prep I can.Finished my compost area:I have been weeding around the edges, getting ready to put some mulch down, got the front yard

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-10241875878529244162011-04-27T20:20:00.006-05:002011-04-29T07:36:13.061-05:00

So I am going through one of my favorite nurseries and I spot something I have wanted to try for a couple of years at a price that, while not comfortable, is in my range, so I purchase it. I have wanted to try Mycorrhiza for quit some time. Its a fungus that occurs in undisturbed soils that has a synergistic relationship with plants. I have seen it used on some garden shows to revive difficult

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-52008919877053352422011-04-25T11:57:00.003-05:002011-04-25T12:13:58.401-05:00

This winter I made some seed orders. As soon as I got done ordering seeds a gracious family member and a friend dropped off a bunch of seeds. Seriously, I could plant half of Iowa. What was interesting were the variety of seeds and the variety of providers. Seeds Savers, Ferry Morse, Burpee, Park, Henry Fields, Pinetree Garden, Select, Freedom, Lake Valley, Totally Tomatoes, Thompson Morgan,

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-18629989253975133392011-04-22T14:21:00.005-05:002011-04-22T14:44:46.971-05:00

Went out and turned the beds to keep the composting going. I turned some grass and leaves into the beds last fall and have turned them every chance I got, even through the winter. When I turned them this time I found what I wanted to find:So many worms, I actually even turned over a ball of worms about the size of a baseball. Exactly what I was looking for!

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-88034741535378453122011-04-20T15:37:00.007-05:002011-04-20T20:26:01.934-05:00

The seedlings are doing well with a few exceptions, but nothing too harsh.I think I have to many tomatoes. Actually, is that possible?

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-7473413562875114022011-04-17T17:04:00.007-05:002011-04-17T17:10:53.346-05:00

We have VOLUNTEER MADNESS going on. Carrots, onions, and sunflowers. And its the second week in April. Can I bring my self to till these in? They are in the totally wrong place, but, geez, what does a plant have to do to get some respect around here?

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-46184482190111150422011-04-16T08:46:00.003-05:002011-04-20T23:23:05.036-05:00

I am a huge fan of peppers. I use six types in my chili. I use them every chance I can. I love the heat. I love the sweet. But mostly the heat!PeppersAnaheimCayenneZavoryMarconiPoblanoSerranoJalapenoGiant JalapenoTennessee CheeseNo Thai peppers this year. I should grow them, they just didn't taste good last year. And I am soooo tired of seeing "Ancho" peppers, and "Chipotle" peppers on

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-41491751044093277862011-04-13T12:34:00.005-05:002011-04-20T23:25:37.068-05:00

I got my seedlings started this last weekend. I will have to throw up pics of the setup I am using this year. Here are the tomatoes I have started (or ordered from seedsavers.org, marked with a *) so far: TomatoesBrandywine (Sudduth)*Roma (Martino)Aunt Rubys' German GreenBlack from TulaBlondekompfchenCherokee Purple*Dr Wyche's YellowRazzleberrySuper Sweet 100Brown CherryCostoluto GenoveseBeam's

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-3925745939616469432011-04-12T21:15:00.002-05:002011-04-12T21:18:58.009-05:00

This makes me want to scream and cry, to wail and gnash teeth.It does not (should not) matter your persuasion. You should care about productive farmland. Soil. Dirt. The origin of renewable wealth. The origin of your dinner. And NOBODY in power seems to care. You can't just order more soil from China, or Bangladesh, or Indonesia. There is only X amount and only X amount can be created

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-71271823992014298822011-04-12T10:31:00.003-05:002011-04-12T10:41:22.964-05:00

Went to the local mega store yesterday because I saw the garden section start to fill in. I was APPALLED at the prices on edible seedlings. $2 to $3 for A cabbage seedling? $3 to $5 for A tomato seedling? Seedlings were averaging around $4 a plant. That would be hundreds of dollars for a garden the size of mine. That is pretty unbelievable.Also, the potting soil prices. Wow. I have to

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-27253807357104123522011-04-03T11:06:00.004-05:002011-04-03T11:12:43.246-05:00

I still have to start some of my seedlings. I may ending up buying plants again. It just crushes my sense of thrift. It limits what I can get. It means some favorites will have to wait until next year again. Urgh.But looking at food prices, the sooner the better. I am shocked at some of the increases lately, and I don't see it turning around soon.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-44194454527367466312011-03-08T10:52:00.002-06:002011-03-08T10:52:52.380-06:00

The Blog will be coming back to life with regular postings in the next week. HAPPY HAPPY!

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-24317412379733804452011-01-15T09:56:00.005-06:002011-01-15T10:25:37.490-06:00

Setting here absorbing the Epic Joys of seed catalogs. The first to arrive is my nostalgic favorite, Burpee. This is a difficult thing. When I was growing up (occasionally) helping my dad in the garden, developing a secret love for the hobby (is it really just a "hobby"?) I remember Burpee seeds. I remember them with a disproportionate clarity. They are not totally dedicated to the same

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-67989032548474628552010-12-05T09:51:00.004-06:002011-01-15T11:04:03.312-06:00

For Thanksgiving we finally had the last of the Crookneck Squash in some great soup and we had some herbs (Sage and Rosemary) on some roasted carrots (mix of Chantenay and Danvers Half Longs) from the garden. It was nice to harvest some crops so late. Here I am in December harvesting carrots. You can see the few as the green tufts in the image above in beds 3 and 4. They have survived the

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-40827512255352923292010-08-23T09:50:00.003-05:002010-08-23T09:52:09.033-05:00

Check this out. Please sign. If you are one of the few followers, please post to your blog.I do this EXTrEMELY rarely, but when you read this:http://www.change.org/petitions/view/tell_the_president_of_russia_to_stop_the_destruction_of_the_future_of_foodI think you will see why.Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-45286371966252301202010-06-13T09:02:00.004-05:002010-06-13T09:28:21.077-05:00

So, between time and timing I had to trim back on the variety a little this year. As always, I am focused on variety versus quantity. I have wondered why I do this and I think its pretty fun to plan and eat (although I am not sure you could say I did a lot of "planning"this year).I also spent very little this year. Some savvy shopping, some saved and shared seed, and a few extra drives for

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-47727007561131020402010-05-24T21:42:00.002-05:002010-05-24T21:43:24.830-05:00

Hello All, Not sure what type of garden its going to be, but its prepped, tilled, including some new area, and will be putting in plants. Pics soon!

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-56284302448595089602010-04-07T10:27:00.001-05:002010-04-07T10:29:03.754-05:00

Hello.Sorry for the lack of posts. I am having a hard time getting motivated this year to garden. I will of course, but I hope I am not too late to do it right. Been doing soil prep and such, just not really up to speed.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-37189091128355533632010-01-21T19:15:00.005-06:002010-01-21T20:14:55.678-06:00

I re-read Stephen King's The Stand a few weeks ago, and I noted that Mother Abigail says "I can still make my own cracker." as a sign of keeping her independance.Then I see that an online friend has made some crackers. Is that possible?Then I see a cooking show where they make crackers. That is possible.I decide this is a sign that I am to make some crackers. Never done it before, but it is

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-10716424241165405882010-01-19T10:11:00.006-06:002010-01-20T11:38:58.608-06:00

Another day home with a sick little boy. While he is napping I thought I would reach out and see if I could get some suggestions.I have to put down some cover between my raised beds and along my walkway. It will also serve for a small setting/staging area. Here is the area I need to take care of:I need something that serves the following needs:1) Drain well and be able to walk on when wet

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-48890542110115020222010-01-19T09:21:00.006-06:002010-01-19T10:38:53.860-06:00

Home sick today with Buddy. Got a little time to ruminate on the garden plans for next year.So we are thinking of several points of focus this year:1) Aroma Garden - The wife is planning an aroma garden for the right side of the yard (in front of the raspberries if you are familiar). Not sure what all this will include, so it will be a nice surprise.2) Finish the Raised Beds - Still need to

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-22601373214052526242010-01-09T08:40:00.014-06:002010-01-11T22:02:09.709-06:00

Lately I have been wondering about what drives me to garden. There is no single coherent reason for me to garden. What makes me think about it is that for so many there is a specific reason they garden. As I think about my own motivations I decided that I would make a list of all the reasons to garden that I could think of.Environmental - Reduce food miles, fewer pesticides, fewer petroleum

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-57485237090396153932010-01-07T21:33:00.006-06:002010-01-07T22:16:35.541-06:00

So, I quit smoking this summer. My wife quit this winter as well. So, we were discussing how this would/could impact our gardening. We decided on a form of gardening celebration. How to do this? With an aroma garden. I am not sure this is a "real term", but its what we plan to do.We are going to plant areas of the yard with plants that give off strong, good scents. Scents we can now

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-8128746227918374182010-01-04T20:20:00.004-06:002010-01-04T21:31:52.662-06:00

So, we are considering a number of new crops, but our big push this year is going to be miniature fruit trees, one item only recently available (at least to my knowledge), as well as new veggies. The veggies will wait until another post. First, the one I have been waiting for:Haskap. Honeyberry. The edible berry of certain varieties of Honeysuckle. Pioneered by the University of Saskatchewan.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-10029288212887636052009-12-29T12:45:00.005-06:002009-12-30T22:03:37.909-06:00

There are a number of things I am not sure I want in my garden in 2010. For various reasons they didn't work out well, they didn't seem to give a great return on space investment, they weren't that tasty, they were a nuisance, whatever. I have added brief reasons with these. Note, I do not feel that there is any need to be rational about these, I spend enough time being rational. A few quick

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-46464499138567869572009-12-29T12:34:00.004-06:002009-12-29T12:55:26.881-06:00

Started really working through the catalogs lately and know some of the things I want and some of the things I don't.Things I Want In the Garden Again In 2010Black from Tula tomatoes (drool drool drool)Green Zebra tomatoesCherokee Purple tomatoesBrandywine tomatoesSupersweet 100 cherry tomatoesBaby Bok Choifingerling potatoesturnips (drool drool drool)shallotsDutch Crookneck

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-75237975667887454362009-12-24T08:54:00.004-06:002009-12-24T09:18:09.069-06:00

I work with a great crew of people. For Christmas they got me a few things. They got me these:A gardening Christmas ornament and some seed saving supplies. They also pitched in together and got me one of the most insightful gifts I have recieved in a LONG time:They also got me all the attachments for it. Salsa screen, berry screen, pumpkin screen etc. I am so excited to try it out. I think

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-17928201407479275492009-12-16T18:20:00.005-06:002009-12-16T18:35:23.510-06:00

As a gardener I like to stretch the harvest as long as possible. I like to have something fresh from the garden all the time. No small feat in Chicago. This year I grew some things that could be stored for the long haul, into the winter. This last weekend I decided to break into the winter stores for a little boost of mood. What did I break into? The onions? the ristra? No, I broke out a

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-43513720669405899362009-12-13T20:52:00.005-06:002009-12-13T21:25:48.070-06:00

I was reading Chiotsrun one day and saw a great post about candied citrus peels. I followed a link back to Garden Of Eating and got a great recipe. Made it today with my daughters from some grapefruit, YUMMY!!

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-91566664368329465612009-12-02T12:30:00.005-06:002009-12-02T12:59:34.058-06:00

Got a good size bag of apples on sale (29 cents a pound!). Cleaned them, peeled them, sliced them, dipped them in a lemon juice solution, and threw them in the dehydrator. Buddy had a great time helping peel and dip and putting them in the dehydrator.This year we have given the dehydrator a pretty good workout. Thyme, basil, oregano, sage, rosemary, squash, now apples. Thinking about some of

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-25904514174862173162009-11-29T22:20:00.002-06:002009-11-29T22:38:54.517-06:00

Our strawberries did not do so well this year. Looking back and thinking about it some I think we had several factor leading to this:1) unfavorable weather - It was cool, wet, and most definitely unsunny.2) potassium - Our soil in the beds developed a potassium deficiency. I can solve this with bone meal, but if someone can think of another organic solution I would love to hear it.3) plant age

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-23769700161263589532009-11-21T09:36:00.004-06:002009-11-21T10:00:25.448-06:00

Its here! My first seed catalog of the year! (or, as my wife informed me - "Honey, your garden porn has arrived!")I love seed catalogs. They help me get through the winter. Seriously. The magnificent pictures, the tantalizing descriptions, the titillating promises! Did I mention my wife says this is garden porn?I get to dream and plan all winter. I get to overplan every inch of garden.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-5847418344783489262009-11-16T19:50:00.002-06:002009-11-16T19:52:35.687-06:00

Alright. I started playing Farmville. I got a Facebook account for the sole reason of doing so.Several Points:1) it is addictive2) it is fun3) it requires patience4) it has many shortcomings. So many that its frustrating and has me wondering how hard it would be to design a game like it myself.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-90112939392053205762009-11-09T20:53:00.003-06:002009-11-09T21:06:14.108-06:00

I have decided to go ahead and try a little different method this year for composting. I haven't managed to get my compost pile really going, so I have added grass and leaves to each of the beds and some rock dust for some remineralization. Here in the next week or so I will till it all in.I am not really sure how this is going to work out. I added some compost accelerator (not even sure to

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-90819089652402355582009-10-31T09:17:00.003-05:002009-10-31T09:28:50.198-05:00

Over the next few days I will be putting up my harvest numbers and discussing various aspects of my harvest. First a couple of notes:1) I did not get a scale until harvesting was under way, so some of the early harvests (radishes for example) simply weren't weighed and I have no way to really estimate the harvest. Some things (turnips for example) I have good numbers for the later harvest and

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-24133340247859602892009-10-18T11:33:00.002-05:002009-10-18T11:52:53.847-05:00

Some of my cabbage survived the hydrostatic pressure and is quite tasty.Had my Mom on my mind this morning so I made some fried bacon and cabbage.Yummy!!!!

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-83467420189434244472009-10-16T07:14:00.002-05:002009-10-16T07:22:31.071-05:00

Trying to work on some of the core gardenening skills and decided to save more seeds of my own this year. The seeds I saved from last year did pretty well. The watermelons in particular came out really tasty, although they were not very prolific. I am not sure that didn't have to do with weather, but.... .Here we have three saved seeds. Those are Costoluto Genovese tomato seeds at the top,

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-53306397458885608662009-10-12T11:20:00.004-05:002009-10-12T11:24:07.967-05:00

We officially harvested the pumpkins this weekend. We got 82 lbs 10 oz of pumpkins. Some of them are still shiny as moisture condensates on them because we just brought them in.Trying to figure out which one to cut up and save for Thanksgiving.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-81621423651771309782009-10-10T09:24:00.003-05:002009-10-10T09:51:59.682-05:00

We had a hard frost this morning. We had good notice so I spent a lot of time last night getting potted herbs in the garage and finishing harvesting a lot of the plants. Got the Basil, Tarragon, Thyme, Oregano, and Rosemary inside.Left in the garden? Sweet potatoes, ground cherries, pumpkins, watermelons, Charantais, zuchs, squash, and the pepper plants with a bunch of little peppers which I

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-35802158744401621712009-10-06T19:16:00.002-05:002009-10-06T19:26:15.205-05:00

Here we have a few of my Charantais melons. I got the seed from seedsavers and they were great. High germination rate, and very successful. What is odd is that I got 18 melons. I still have about ten out there (will have to bring them all in soon) and all but one of them are within an ounce of one pound each. They are between baseball and softball sized. Except one that got to almost three

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-85364355932753795612009-10-05T20:14:00.004-05:002009-10-05T20:25:17.035-05:00

I have read that cabbages and other vegetables can actually explode if they get too much water all at once. I have seen tomatoes split, but I have never seen anything like this. the hydrostatic pressure must have been pretty intense to split that guy all way through! Try and take a nice fresh head of cabbage and tear it in half with your bare hands.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-36005580542151616002009-10-04T13:28:00.003-05:002009-10-04T13:32:42.475-05:00

Potatoes from a bucket on the deck. Onions that were still in the ground. Carrots from the garden. Some organic beef and celery. Stew. So yummy! So filling on an overcast, cool day.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-9241707336480037022009-09-25T14:30:00.003-05:002009-09-25T14:37:59.078-05:00

Here are the five beds. Unfortunately I don't have this angle during the high point, but you can really see how they filled out. They have been so productive its ridiculous, and so enjoyable!If you look over there on the left you will see the pumpkins and water melons which I put in that bed with the intent that they would over flow in the yard. I guess I succeeded! as you can see below the

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-36684243477525458982009-09-16T14:29:00.002-05:002009-09-16T14:35:35.467-05:00

I got a three wheel scooter, green rubber boots with Thomas the Tank Engine pajames tucked in and an Elmo helmet. Cool? You haven't seen "cool" until you've seen me. Stand back, or the glow will hurt you.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-32210161747378114862009-09-15T22:39:00.008-05:002009-09-15T23:13:12.735-05:00

Its been a while since an update. Sorry for the delay, but life has been demanding, some things needed to slide a little, and this has been one of those things.Here is a pretty typical day these days. These are actually the last of the summer potatoes, a good sized carrot or two, some peppers (marconi, cayenne, and poblano here), some tomatoes (Brandywine, Costoluto Genovese, and a little

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-45474797606364861342009-09-03T19:14:00.004-05:002009-09-04T10:20:56.993-05:00

I have been looking for a good dill pickle recipe and asking around led me to:Aunt JanetWill have to give these a whirl!Got plenty of cucumbers I have to do something with.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-46162422306693947482009-08-31T20:26:00.003-05:002009-08-31T20:36:30.845-05:00

Hello, Sorry its been a while since I posted. Had some dental issues and painkillers and blogging just don't match up to well in my book.As for the food and garden front, I have really been working the bread and making some recipes from my Jamie Oliver cookbook my daughters got me. That guy really knows how to put a good recipe on paper! The garden keeps producing, but had a rough patch over

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-4079757752522399782009-08-20T00:21:00.004-05:002009-08-20T00:43:30.256-05:00

In a comment earlier today Ruralrose put a link to Mother Earth News which had an excerpt from a great book on artisinal bread making. The article is a little rambling, and poorly ordered (if you ask me, which they didn't), but the results are not to be argued with.The bread (some with honey and butter, and some with the pasta sauce I made tonite) is outstanding. Really. I would have been

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-49380544387288230752009-08-19T10:35:00.004-05:002009-08-19T11:14:47.203-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, I am without a camera right now and a lot of the stuff I am working on really needs a camera to show.Working on Fall plantings. I need to improve the soil a little and rotate the crops a little.Looking at chard, lettuce, potatoes (from my own seed potatoes), bok choi, turnips, carrots, and there are a few things I am hoping come along (like my parsnips).I would love

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-48990771848372196022009-08-15T07:17:00.003-05:002009-08-15T07:25:50.567-05:00

So, we have a LOT or rabbits in the neighborhood. I mean a LOT. And my garden is the equivalent of the local watering hole. Around early dusk, they cirlce the yard in every direction, waiting for me to go away so they can come in and have a meal. Recently I noticed that the number was lower than normal. I think the Cuterbra parasites might have gotten some of them, but the number continues

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-67117976560660512692009-08-11T21:29:00.002-05:002009-08-11T21:38:15.993-05:00

The tomatoes keep coming! Here we have some Dr Wyche's Yellow and some Cherokee Purple. Tried the Dr Wyches tonite.Cut into the tomato and BANG, there it was, my new favorite color. At first I did not like the flavor, but then I realized it was really just different. Then I realized it was a fruity flavor, less acid. What a joy to eat.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-44731090380702458722009-08-08T09:11:00.002-05:002009-08-08T09:49:15.844-05:00

It rained most of the day yesterday and a good chunk of last night. A few thunderstorms early this morning. But the big news is that its been such a cool July and today we are headed for record highs. Its actually cool this morning and the temps will climb through the day an into the night building to an even warmer tomorrow. Got out there this morning and have more to do before it warms up

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-63421310602781885432009-08-05T22:42:00.002-05:002009-08-05T22:50:01.790-05:00

One of the best things about a garden is harvesting. Combine that with your children, make it something to look forward to on the way home or when they come to visit. It makes memories. It is a rare and genuine manufactured memory. Buddy went out with me tonite and picked beans, helped dig for potatoes, and pointed out red tomatoes. Then he INSISTED on carrying the harvest bowl into the

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-75182966384627813842009-08-04T20:11:00.005-05:002009-08-04T22:09:49.824-05:00

So this weekend we had some excitement in the garden. We decided to pull up the smallest potato plant and see if we actually had any potatoes. Here the girls give it the old heave ho and...And we did indeed have potatoes! Had a couple of pounds, which considering, is a pretty good haul. We roasted them with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and they were magnificent. Seriously. Not a bad haul.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-27357803386141318582009-08-02T09:32:00.004-05:002009-08-04T21:13:00.834-05:00

Just read an article in the NYT by Michael Pollan about food and health and culture.Well worth the read. Its a great article. I can't recommend it enough.This blog is mostly about gardening. I garden partly for environmental reasons, for reasons of relaxation, for important points of education for my children, for the challenge of it, for sheer joy.But, when I am honest about it, the first and

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-17377686350528219052009-07-29T06:42:00.003-05:002009-08-04T20:10:38.605-05:00

Tried a new recipe this weekend for green beans. Its really easy as well.Boil (a rolling boil) the beans for five minutes.While the beans are boiling make a dressing (roughly for a pound of beans):two tbs coarse mustardtwo tbs vinegar (I used red wine, but white or rice would work, maybe balsamic)six tbs olive oilone clove grated garlicone small minced shallotDrain the beans and dress while

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-78551138702381231162009-07-27T20:31:00.003-05:002009-07-27T20:38:08.804-05:00

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-27797008593289160612009-07-26T22:54:00.003-05:002009-07-26T23:33:00.588-05:00

I meant to do a big picture post today, but spent all day outside instead. So when I finally sat down to do a post, I am more overwhelmed with thoughts. I have started taking some decent amounts of food out of the garden now, and have developed some strong notions of what is working (in various ways) and what just isn't.Raddichio - planted a good amount of it and it was basically inedible. It

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-7664335987814395612009-07-21T07:49:00.004-05:002009-07-21T23:07:57.223-05:00

Wow, this unusually cool weather (50 degree lows at night in LATE JULY?) has built up a lot of pent up energy in the garden.The Tomatoes won't ripen.The Blackberries won't ripen.The Zinnias won't bloom.The Peppers won't grow.Grapes that have stalled.As soon as we get some sustained warm nights we will be up to our elbows in food. I was worried that I wouldn't have enough determinate tomato

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-53577509221543547212009-07-14T23:03:00.002-05:002009-07-14T23:12:06.987-05:00

On July 3 I posted a picture of an unusual bee. Or so I thought. I submitted it to the Univ. of Illinois to identification (I had more pictures than the one here) and they identified it as a "Bee Mimic". It is actually a fly.On July 7 I found a young dead rabbit in my yard. We have had a couple over the last few years, and two this year. We have been wondering if someone in the neighborhood

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-27230516450172509342009-07-11T21:56:00.005-05:002009-07-12T15:08:32.852-05:00

...and sometimes you end up watering the kid. Evidently water droplets gathered by mouth from the air is the best way to get a drink. If you have the time. :)

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-3116020606427652112009-07-11T12:46:00.003-05:002009-07-11T12:57:42.926-05:00

Have some more produce coming from the garden. Here we have one of my favorites that I have never grown before. Bought the seed from freedomseeds.org. These are the best tasting turnips I have ever had. Firm and crisp, but so finely grained as to almost be creamy. Amazing!Also harvested a LOT of radishes, lettuces, strawberries, bok choi. Here we have the daughters demonstrating their one

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-3627674692693151452009-07-06T13:18:00.006-05:002009-07-11T12:46:42.334-05:00

Had a lack of bees, and was worried so I did some hand pollination. Then the bees showed up. Was worried about getting tomatoes. Until this weekend when I took some time, had an epic pruning session and discovered Much Tomato Joy.My friend Suzy may be far ahead of me, but I will catch up with here soon enough. :)Here are the San Marzanos, in seemingly perfect little six and eight packs of

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-69471126157153507382009-07-06T11:12:00.004-05:002009-07-11T12:46:12.852-05:00

Thought I would drop a quick note regarding my herbs. I have (in order front to back, disregarding flowers) Rosemary, Tarragon, Basil, Thyme, Basil, Oregano, and Sage.Gotta love those herbs!

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-56928216391169744302009-07-03T08:44:00.008-05:002009-07-03T09:11:50.988-05:00

So this morning I did my every other day morning bee check. Took Buddy out with me and I am down looking at the squash hoping to spot a squash bee and I hear the ubiquitous "Whassat Daddy", look up and my son is about to get ahold of this guy:Not sure what kind of bee it is, but its about 2 inches long. Sent a photo off to U of I to get some help identifying it. Buddy was trying to pick it up,

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-18829677984682110082009-07-01T18:56:00.005-05:002009-07-03T09:10:51.518-05:00

Hello, its been too long without photos, so without further ado.... The Garden Update...Here we have the left two beds. The pumpkins, raddichio, tomatoes, etc are doing fine. The peppers (all 5 or 6 kinds) are not doing so hot. Oscar from freedomgardens.org who lives just north of here is having the exact same problem with his. Also, some of the bok choi went to seed and I was going to cut

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-46998458262318017962009-06-25T09:47:00.004-05:002009-07-03T09:09:40.823-05:00

Still need to post pics, but had a great experience last night teaching my early teenage daughter how to trim tomatoes and some basic garden care. She did really well and is a natural.She stated she really didn't see herself as a gardener, but as all the adults in her family are gardeners I noted she is doomed and she may as well accept her fate and learn to do it well.I got that smirk, but she

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-23540765367952293542009-06-23T14:55:00.004-05:002009-07-03T09:09:10.834-05:00

Well, due to some family situations I have had to not pay enough attention to my garden for two weeks. It is overgrown (in good and bad ways) and lush and full of a few vermin (mostly the rabbits) and tomatoes that might be too big to cage now, so I may have to stake for the first time ever. That should be interesting.Will try to get some pics of the good, the bad, and the ugly going tonite or

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-7079829869171013342009-06-20T08:21:00.003-05:002009-07-03T09:08:31.165-05:00

Wow. Hard day for the garden. Got home last night just ahead of the storm and found rabbit damage in my raddichio, broccoli, and cabbage.I haven't put cages on all the tomatoes and the 70 mph winds last night did some damage. Will have to sort it all out and keep my fingers crossed.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-34156695345837531062009-06-17T16:11:00.003-05:002009-06-17T16:18:01.324-05:00

Well here is the above shot that has been progressing through the summer. These are the main beds (but by no means all, I need to find a better way to summarize visually). Everthing is thriving with a few exceptionsl. The broccoli and carrots are not doing to well. I only have about a dozen carrots and I should have three times that amount. I will plant some more seed tonite and see what

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-56331738124692471892009-06-16T11:22:00.003-05:002009-06-16T11:40:47.024-05:00

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-79065626424238464342009-06-15T21:57:00.005-05:002009-06-16T11:40:35.024-05:00

The wind farm we went through the other day is called Fowler Ridge and it has 222 wind turbines. It really is huge. That picture, which was commented on, is actually a picture of the type of turbine they have at Fowler Ridge which is copyright free.I have another image here that is actually Fowler Ridge. I guess I need to start crediting photos!There are more turbines coming, and when the Farm

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-69278187518385444752009-06-14T22:23:00.003-05:002009-06-16T11:40:15.038-05:00

The wife and I made a trip this weekend south to help some family. On our route south we travel US Route 41. For a couple of years now there is an area south of Kentland, IN where there are some wind turbines. The last time we drove it (last fall) there were maybe a dozen turbines visible from the road but it was apparent they were working on more. When we drove through this weekend, you can

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-57156960261443805732009-06-11T14:11:00.004-05:002009-06-16T11:39:55.592-05:00

Well, the garden is doing really well. A quick rundown:Fruit - looks like about 20 bunches of grapes, some strawberries, a few apples, some ground cherries, our blackberries FINALLY bloomed so we may get some of those, and the raspberries have almost all taken. Not bad.Veggies - All the veggies have taken, although the brocolli, cabbages, and carrots are struggling a little. Not sure whats up

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-45510017032657316692009-06-09T13:22:00.003-05:002009-06-16T11:38:44.157-05:00

So, this weekend I had my beautiful daughters. They decided to have a "makeover" session, which, of course, Buddy wanted in on. So they put pigtails all over his head, he insisted on a plastic headband, and lip gloss. So he came out like this:He had a blast all day and didn't want us to take the pigtails out. In fact he was insistent. We decided that it was because his hair wasn't in his

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-2964296239769286562009-06-08T07:21:00.004-05:002009-06-16T11:38:26.468-05:00

Hello, Haven't posted in too long, now I have a backlog of posts! I will try and drop them around today and tomorrow. Lets get started with some kid fun!Time for a summer haircut. Its funny, Buddy's hair had gotten too long, so when we cut it he looked like a totally different kid! I will post some more later, but now he looks like some kids from a 1950's cereal commercial.We had big bubble

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-1762142572128289042009-05-31T21:11:00.002-05:002009-05-31T21:14:57.717-05:00

The Boy shares some ice cream with the Mrs after a hard days work.  Lovely.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-84536620562318734402009-05-30T10:05:00.004-05:002009-06-16T11:37:58.340-05:00

Got a little surprise Friday morning. Susy over at Chiotsrun.com and I had swapped some seed this winter. One of the things I got in the (much appreciated) trade were some Rouge de Vif Etempes pumpkin seeds. I put some in my seed starter, but not one came up. I may have planted at the wrong depth perhaps, or made some other mistake, so I resolved to plant some directly outdoors at various

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-79422469083525725312009-05-27T20:52:00.005-05:002009-06-16T11:37:44.159-05:00

Sorry about the weird lighting, I took these at dusk, so some of them needed a flash and others it didn't work.The beds (as you can see if you have Super-Vision) are all planted. We have grapes! It looks like about 20 bunches of grapes, most of them mid to small size.We got apples! Granny Smiths on the way!Yummy. Yummy. Yummy.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-20297899030587311072009-05-26T21:56:00.003-05:002009-06-16T11:37:20.212-05:00

Finally put a plan together Friday, finished the beds and (save two small additions) got all the planting done.The small additions are an additional blackberry which I successfully grew from a cutting over the winter and some acorn squash. I thought I had saved seed, but can't find it for my life, so I am going to have to buy it.I need to get pictures, but I planted Monday night until it started

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-77226525543896757292009-05-23T09:01:00.008-05:002009-06-16T11:36:56.752-05:00

The wife and I got the beds filled yesterday, got the strawberries beds finished, filled and planted, cleared the area in the back, repaired the underground cable I cut (did you ever take your own breath away with your own stupidity? well, I am still having trouble breathing), and realized its time to plant and I have no planting plan. I am a consumate planner. What we are going to plant.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-10350871051350030962009-05-22T10:08:00.004-05:002009-06-16T11:36:06.357-05:00

Today the wife and I took off to work in the garden/yard. Took the little on to daycare. Been hardening off the seedlings, have lots of things to plant! Literally tons of dirt to move. YAYTwo days ago the green market I go to had "heirloom" tomatoes on sale. 99 cents a pound sale. Just about FREAKED OUT, bought a couple of pounds. Got them home, prepped a salad with what were a cardinal

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-13208826476896840952009-05-18T19:11:00.003-05:002009-06-16T11:35:35.523-05:00

Almost forgot, here is my favorite picture from this weekend.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-56392442514426438972009-05-18T18:45:00.007-05:002009-06-16T11:35:22.195-05:00

Hello.The girls and my parents were here this weekend. Had a great time and played lots of Agricola. Got some help with the garden as well. Didn't get quit as far as we hoped, but go far enough that we have some great pictures and some work to show. Shall we get too it?Here we have all three of my kids staining the beds on the outside. Notice the little one was not supposed to be helping,

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-49160248387502465632009-05-16T10:43:00.004-05:002009-06-16T11:34:54.682-05:00

While I wait for it to dry up a little, I decided to go back to my crop list for this year and update it a little. I have had a few failures already. 1) The garlic I put in last fall all rotted. 2) My raspberries are looking pretty rough, but will hopefully make it.3) I cannot find French Tarragon4) Looks like the cherry trees did not survive the winterI have also had a few successes. 1) Got

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-52590353070326562782009-05-14T19:06:00.003-05:002009-06-16T11:34:36.232-05:00

Two of my neighbors had their property sprayed today. They sprayed with fertilizer (I could live with that), Dimension (a pre-emergent) and Triplett SF (herbicide). If I had put out my veggies already they would have been hit with this (which, thankfully, I am behind, so they weren't out yet), but what REALLY worries me is the pre-emergent. I am REALLY worried about getting my seed sown

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-59956471761971995902009-05-13T08:09:00.001-05:002009-05-13T08:10:23.484-05:00

Dad, this is MY hat.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-67587740289430578872009-05-13T07:27:00.004-05:002009-06-16T11:33:52.490-05:00

Here is where the garden is at now. We have three of the raised beds installed but not filled all the way yet. We went with the 12 inche deep beds so root vegetables have plenty of space to grow (looking forward to the carrots, potatoes, turnips, and sweet potatoes!) and so the tomatoes, etc, have a good base to defend from the wind. We get plenty of wind.One of the things we were looking for

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-31707440094763745732009-05-11T22:52:00.004-05:002009-05-11T23:07:37.713-05:00

Here is the berm almost finished.  It still needs a layer of mulch on top.  The arborvitae will function as a windscreen (it really is the Windy City) and as a screen.  It also doubles as a terrace to level the planting area behind.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-87779850286867516532009-05-11T22:42:00.002-05:002009-05-11T22:51:22.238-05:00

Marguerite is filling the "dirt burrito".  She managed to fill it with a perfect ridge of dirt.  She had a great technique, so I was dirt mover, she was dirt placer for the last phase of the berm.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-61460987033509841302009-05-11T19:54:00.002-05:002009-05-11T19:58:41.121-05:00

Here you can see the wall finished.  We lined the walls with weed barrier then wrapped it around the soil in the berm.  Or, as my wife put it, we made a dirt burrito.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-21628368108657123572009-05-11T00:21:00.004-05:002009-05-11T19:59:38.639-05:00

Andrew and I started the wall on the compacted sand and Marguerite and I built it up.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-70479054078805084422009-05-11T00:17:00.004-05:002009-05-11T20:00:30.129-05:00

Andrew and I cut a trench for the retaining wall.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-89592697041040742902009-05-10T23:53:00.007-05:002009-05-11T20:00:54.332-05:00

Here are some pics of the berm and raised beds.  These were taken from the upper floor of the house and are presented first to latest.  More to come as we keep the work goingEarly April - Cutting sod with the family.Mid April -  Sod gone!More posts on this later as I find the images.

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-3220655484383714342009-05-10T23:45:00.003-05:002009-05-10T23:48:38.422-05:00

Hello.  Many of you will know me from Freedomgardens.org.  My posts will probably be limited to a few a week with more or less as needed.  I will focus mainly on garden and yard issues.  Anyways, WELCOME!

ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0