Author: seedsandsoilorganics

With my new born strapped to my chest, we spent countless hours in the garden together. As out little grew, our garden changed…the running, jumping, skipping and falling of a toddler demanded a softer growing space.

With the big “8” around the corner, our garden will change yet again. Our daughter wants her own space to grow, experiment and “be”.

Plants that were quite fun during her toddler stage were dwarf varieties like “Tom” pea, lettuce and tomatoes. Berries are always a fan favorite- be careful with the thorns. Colorful pint sized garden tools and a heaping pile of soil were all the tools we needed for a fun filled afternoon.

As we both continue to grow I am appreciative of the time we have together to tend to our inner and outer garden.

The light is returning onto the land as we slowly approach the growing season. In this interim period, the long season fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs can be sown indoors in the hopes of a plentiful harvest come fall.

This week we are starting wild or “woodland” strawberries. This edible ground cover is rumored to have been consumed by cave dwelling folk.

Bare root plants can be purchased and transplanted in early Spring as an alternative to having plants grown indoors for nearly half a year.

Wild strawberries can and should be divided in the early Spring once they are well established (about 3-4 years).

Perennial food plants require nourishment and protection from severe fluctuations in their local climate. Well aged compost is an excellent overall Spring fertility side dress.

These gorgeous berries do not store well and are best consumed fresh or preserved into your favorite treats.

We are tirelessly working on adding wild strawberries to our seed offering…fingers crossed for fall 2021!

During the growing season life is abundant across our landscape. Birds, bees, moose, ermines, foxes, voles and insects of all kinds can be found shacking up or passing through for hydration and nutrition.

Once we stopped removing all the plant material at the end of the growing season, it allowed the living roots from the harvested crop to finished their legacy and exchanges within the soil economy. This process vastly improved our soil but it also provided the necessities for life to return to the land…even in winter.

There is as much life on our landscape during the days governed by King Winter as there is in the days engrossed in the midnight sun. With the exception of the warm weather insects we still have life here- in the bitter cold.

Plant a row for wildlife this coming season. Design a space where flowers are allowed to go to seed so that our friends of the air can sustain. Allow the spent plant material of the harvest to give shelter to those that need a little more protection. The amount of joy that this has brought to my heart during the winter months is immeasurable. I hope that these small actions will bring you some happiness as well.