Singing Sprouts

The sprouts have all come in. However, I have two varities that decided to not pleasure me with their presence. The Lettuce and the Spearmint. I'm more bummed about the Spearmint because I was looking forward to their scent. Oh well, I'm going to have to research why they didn't come in. My Turnips, Broccoli and Cauliflower are doing fine, but they are toppling over. So, I'm starting to understand why it might be better to just plant them outside. Some books say you can transplant them, some say they don't do very well when you do. Well just have to wait and see.

I checked a book out from the library (well, several books) and it's called Grow Organic Gardening. I'm enjoying the vivid photos and easy to read information. What's especially nice is that I don't have to pay for them and I don't have to store them in my house. lol Space is pretty limited here so I'm trying to keep the stuff to a minimum.

As I plan out my garden ... it's all in my head. I'm finding myself wanting to draw a picture of it and get it on paper, but then I would love to use a software program that can help me be more calculating about it. I can be creative no matter what. ;)

As I prepare and wait for transplanting, I'm decided on methods I'd like to try before doing so. When I was reading the organic gardening book, I was reminded of things I need to keep in mind when planning and preparing my garden...

• Manage the whole yard organically - edible crops, ornamentals, lawns, and paths.
• Make the garden wildlife-friendly, encouraging birds, insects, and small animals to control pests.
• Learn to distinguish pests from their predators.
• Play to your garden's strengths, capitalizing on its particular characteristics.
• Make soil care a priority.
• Make compost and leaf mold to feed the soil.
• Reuse and recycle, to cut down on the use of finite resources and reduce pressure on landfills.
• Use organically grown seeds where possible.
• Consider the environmental implications when choosing materials for hard landscaping, soil improving, and so forth.
• Collect rainwater, and reduce the need for watering by improving soil and growing appropriate plants.
• Make local sources your first choice.
• Use traditional methods where appropriate.
• Make use of the latest scientific findings where organically acceptable.
• Stop using artifical fertilizers.
• Give up smoke-producing bonfires.
• Control weeds without the use of herbicides.
• Avoid the use of pesticides and preservative-treated wood.
• Say no to genetically modified cultivars.
• Recognize the value of genetic diversity and preservation of threatened cultivars.

Okay, the last two are foreign to me. If you understood them ... kudos!

Organic Wishes,
Monica :)