Monthly Archives: April 2008

It snowed last Thursday and by Saturday, the mercury was pushing its way up into the 70s. This year is nothing like last year at this time. This post one year ago was my covert way of announcing my surprise pregnancy. Last year it was all blooms and fertility in mid April. This weekend was such a welcome change in weather–Missoula was bursting with pale-skinned folk itching to catch some vitamin d. I rented a rototiller and tilled my garden for the first time ever. Holy hell, it was such hard work. However, much quicker than my hand digging that usually takes me a few days. With my tiny plot and limited crop rotation options, it was necessary in my fifth gardening season with the same soil. I add my compost every year but this year I needed a boost of oxygen and stirring. I must nurture and coax my soil so it will nurture and coax the seeds that will be our dinner. So, anyway, I can barely type because I am so sore. I tilled my plot, dug out my rows and paths, turned my gorgeous (more on that later) compost, tore down part of a fence, built it back up and planted some more peas. I love peas. I never did get to that chicken coop. The fence thing was spontaneous but I am very pleased with it. Less privacy, yes. More sunshine, yes. I hope I can handle the less privacy thing. It has already affected me as this morning I walked outside in my undies and then realized I can’t do that anymore. Maybe I’ll just keep some sweats by the back door. Photos above: left, gorgeous prepared beds; right, after privacy fence removal and hanging of wire fence. The dotted line is where the fence left its afrternoon shadow before my stroke of brilliance. The window frames on the garage are my cheap and cheerful pea trellises. All the animals were out enjoying the sunshine with me. Including bug. She even had bare feet. Hopeful arugula and peas. So, my plot (click to enlarge): Look at all that brown begging to be covered with green and red and purple and yellow. It makes my mouth water. Because I removed the fence on the west side, the soil gets two additional hours of light in the evening. That is just enough to merit planting stuff over there. It is worth wearing pants for. Read more on bare feet and sore biceps…

Above Photos: March 20, April 9 I have birds in my bathroom. The girls are growing by the nanosecond. Bossy intimidates me even though I pretend like I am brave when I am around her but the other two are sweet and curious. Would I be able to tell if I had a rooster by now? If Bossy isn’t a rooster, she is one helluvan assertive bitch. Cripe, I hope I don’t have a rooster. I opened up the brooder to make more space for my little flock. I am starting to panic a bit that they will need their coop before it is ready, but I suppose they could just crash in our bed with me, my husband, our kid, 75-pound dog , 17-pound cat and 10-pound cat. There’s always room. Besides, they would just perch up on our curtain rods anyway. My system with the old oilcloth and pine chips is working magically. Every few days, I sweep up the shavings and chicken poo and throw it on my compost pile. I will, however, have to be sure to add nitrogen to the heap to offset the large amount of carbon currently being added with the wood chips. Two of my chickens, Bossy and Ida, have a stump for a toe or talon or whatever you might call it. They are missing a toenail and the tip of the piggy is rounded and discolored. It doesn’t seem to affect their peeping and pooping so I am not too worried about it. Someone tell me if I should be. Here are Ida, Bossy P (she’s scary, huh?) and Clementine: Read more on no longer chicks…

I have limited garden space and a desire to plant potatoes for the first time. Potatoes take up room and have very specific nutrient requirements. They require deep, loamy soil with lots of nitrogen. So, what’s an urban gardener to do? My gardener and rock star friend, Arann, casually mentioned the potato tire method to me some time back and I must admit I haven’t stopped dreaming about it. Now, it is a reality. The method: 1. Place your old tires strategically about your yard. Crack open an IPA because you just worked eight hours with a three and a half month-old bug. I don’t think you must look all white t when using old tires. I refused to have a row of tires in my yard. Instead, I found cozy little nooks for the potato nests. I did not have old tires all about my house so I made one phone call to a local tire shop who was more than eager to give me the old rubber. 2. Fill the tire with soil and lots of compost. Like almost half and half. 3. Plant your chitted potatoes in the tires. Potatoes should be planted about four inches deep and around a month before your last frost. You should absolutely only use seed potatoes or else your cats will develop a fifth limb or something like that. I didn’t know what chit meant and I mean, holy chit, the spuds kinda just did it on their own. As with most things garden, I wasn’t too careful about it and it worked out swell. 4. When the plant part of the potato is above the rim of the tire, add more dirt and compost and the plant will continue to grow and the old stem will become root and, therefore, more potato. I have three tires for each stack but can always get more if I need them. Think of it like whoring out a seed. Instead of getting like eight pounds for a plant, you get up to 30! AND, the best part? When spud harvest rolls around, you get to knock over the tire stack and see your bounty instead of digging digging digging. Read more on tired taters…