Before the frost

Take a look at what I harvested from the seeds that I started in March.  I figure we have about 10 lbs of carrots and a couple dozen cherry tomatoes although most of the tomatoes are in the process of ripening up so not quite ready to eat.  Unfortunately the zucchini never got any bigger than 2-3 in long before they would fall off, and the green onions didn't survive the transition outside.  Guess there's always next year to try again.

I started my seeds in little peat pots, the carrots got a bit root bound and I had to dig them up and replant them, guess that explains why they grew so funny.  My funny looking carrots reminded me of a Mandrake from Harry Potter, don't you think so?!?

Greener ideas

Kyle and I had planned to take a trip to the Valley this weekend to pick our own produce at Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm. This idea only works if the weather cooperates with us, which at the current time it is over cast and has been raining off and on throughout the week. With that in mind, I have been researching local options of ways to get local produce without having to roll in the mud!
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I came across Glacier Valley Farm CSA, is the only Community Supported Agriculture in the state of Alaska. The way it works is 3 weeks a month, they sell boxes filled with local produce. For $35 you get a 18-21 lb. box filled with fresh produce, this week it is; cabbage, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, celery, fennel, zucchini, cauliflower, garlic, & potatoes. They are available for pickup at various locations, you pay the fee several days in advance and you can set a weekly pick up or sporadically based on what is available, they also enclose a newsletter for recipes on how to use the produce that is available that week. I missed this weeks pick-up but I have my sights set on next week, yummy yummy fresh produce! You can read more about Glacier Valley Farm CSA HERE. Nancy at Glacier Valley Farm was kind enough to get me information regarding local honey production in the state, if you are interested in Alaskan honey you can find more information HERE.
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While searching for the above information, I came across a community run program under the Anchorage Soil & Water Conservation District. They are currently offering compost bins to residents for half off, and they also run a local woodlot where you can pick up mulch and firewood for free! I have been wanting to pick up some mulch for my garden, and you can't beat free. More information on the compost bins can be found HERE, and woodlot information is HERE.
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In the Garden

Here's whats coming up in my garden, and in the flower pots too!

Cerinthe (a Mediterranean native flower that the upper most leaves turn purple to match the flowers) and Columbine that grows wild here.

Pink sea thrift and the tops of my little baby carrots. All of my veggies are growing on my deck in pots so who knows how well they will do, I'll just have to wait and see but it looks like they are off to a good start.

Zucchini & Cherry Tomatoes are starting to make an appearance. I started them from seed the first part of April.
My Lillie's are getting ready to bloom in my garden, I have several varieties including dwarf oriental and stargazer, they will make great cut flowers in the coming weeks!

Bell's Nursery

I visited a local greenhouse today to check out some sales and pick up plants to beautify my place for the summer.
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Lots of colorful flowers & hanging baskets galore

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I love the Hydrangea flowers, and the Fuschia baskets come in a variety of colors

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Forget-me-not flowers in blue or pink, and scented Geraniums

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Colorful bedding plants and the ever lovely Begonias

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My plants that I picked up today and a bag of dirt to add to my recently cleaned out flower beds.

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My planned hanging basket layouts, I have enough Fuschia & Lobelia for 2 hanging baskets.

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Little sprouts

I can't believe that its mid, well nearly mid, April, yikes! I started some veggie seeds about a week ago and some of them are well sprouted at this point. I am going to do a whole tray of flowers and will work on getting them started this week. I still need to pick up lobelia seeds, I like to plant them with fuschia in hanging pots, soo pretty!

Its unfortunate that we have such a small yard that I am limited to what I can plant in pots, so a bit of a pain when it comes to veggies/fruits. I did hanging pots of strawberries last year, and when I would take them down to water them, the dogs would pull off the strawberries and eat them :-) Really cute, but meant that we only had a handful of berries for ourselves.

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The lettuce seeds have gone crazy, I hope they don't get too big before I can plant them outside!

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House plants gone wild!

Kyle and I are always looking for "hidden gems" in Anchorage for times when we want to get out and do something that doesn't cost money. Last spring we discovered the city greenhouses that have open areas for the public. You cannot go into the whole greenhouses as they are for growing plants for the city parks and such. They do have one area of tropical plants that you can walk through. The greenhouse is broke into two sections, one a more natural look with the plants directly planted into the ground and this area houses several Koi ponds and a bird enclosure. The other area is a typical greenhouse with tables filled with potted plants, but theses are gigantic house plants that they take care of, I guess that maybe they were donated when people moved? Lately, I have been wanting to get out of the house so we took a walk about at the greenhouse on Friday.
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aaaArriving at the greenhouse
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aaaLighted flowers along the path
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aaaCute little Koi fish
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aaaKyle checking out the birds

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aaaOne of the residents

aaaThe natural greenhouse. Those are all house plants, Kyle is 6'3" and they tower over him!

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aaaThe regular greenhouse, also filled with house plants

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aaaMassive house plant, not sure what it is

aaaAloe Vera runneth over!
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This is a neat place to visit, with the added benches, you could bring a book and hang out for a while.

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