AlexH

I wish I could take a picture but I can’t figure how to make Tracy’s stupid camera focus.  I changed my strategy with the sourdough to feed it every twelve hours, and keep it in the closet where our hot water tank is.  Much better!  Today after work I came home to a bubbly, frothy, sour batter.  I scooped out 1 cup to save in the fridge for pizza shells.  For the feed on Friday night I’m going to save some for pancakes on Saturday morning.  After that, I hope the starter will be proofed enough that it can live in the fridge and fed weekly.

Anyone want some starter?  I’ve have more than enough now!

My apologies to anyone who subscribes to my blog for gardening related posts, I’ve been neglecting this blog, and the garden.  But here’s a note on my progress so far this year.

After my shopping spree at Seedy Saturday Vancouver, it took me a while, but I got my horseradish and Jerusalem artichokes potted up.  They are living in containers on the patio.  I’ve left a Brussels sprout plant from last year, and it is going to seed already.  I doubt that I’ll plant the seeds, but it’s fun to watch.

The Square Foot Garden in Tracy’s parents’ backyard has been cleaned up, but it needs a refresher of compost.  I cleaned out the compost bin already, but it needs some more.  I’ve got a bucket of coffee grounds from my office that is going to go into the compost, but it won’t be enough, so I’ll probably have to buy some.

So far, I have planted onion and leek starts, and moved the parsley that survived the winter into their new squares.  Some seeds have gone in as well: spinach, peas, chard, and carrots.  They’ve sprouted and are doing fine.  My only problem is that I lost my notepaper that I wrote down where I planted things.  Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to let things grow enough to know what is a weed.

This weekend I’ll be buying some seedlings, and putting the rest of the seeds in.

My mom brought me back a sourdough starter kit from her trip to Alaska.  I finally got around to starting it on Sunday.  It was a dry mix so all I needed to do was mix it with some flour and water, and let it sit.  I’ve been researching how it’s done, and it seems like most people are starting from scratch, with a multi-day process of feeding.  Some people recommended finding locally grown organic grapes to jumpstart the local yeasts.  I’m happy with a ready mix for now.

It’s been brewing in a plastic container for the past couple of days, and I’ve stirred it a couple of times, and fed it once already.  Hooch has formed on top, although it hasn’t been as bubbly as I expected.  It’s now in the fridge.  I’m going to make a loaf in the breadmaker tomorrow, since I’m working from home.  I hope it turns out ok!

I have a feeling I’m going to be sending containers of starter home with anyone who comes to visit us.

It’s been a busy time here as Tracy has gone back to work 2.25 days a week, but I have managed to do some gardening in my spare time.

I cleaned up my existing 3 squares in the garden and direct seeded a few cold weather crops like spinach, peas, and chard.  I also moved some parsley plants around and was happy to see that they survived the move.  I’ve also transplanted some store bought leeks and onion seedlings… the cashier at Gardenworks smelled them before putting them in the bag, then apologized, ‘Sorry, I’ll stop smelling your purchases now’.  Ok, thanks.

I started some other plants from seed.  A bunch of herbs, but it looks like they aren’t germinating.  That’s ok, the seeds were about 5 years old.  The cucumbers look like they have been the most successful, and I will probably need to pot them up this weekend.

That’s all for now, I hope to get some seedlings next week and get them planted for the long weekend.