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Monday, June 1, 2009

Back in France...

When we visited France last year, I learned a few things about kitchen gardens. In this photo, we are posed attentively to listen to our guide tell us how everything that was on the menu that day was grown in kitchen gardens right down the hill.

After that trip, I have become obsessed by the idea of cultivating a proper kitchen garden.

So my plan began: the lawn in the deer-proof fenced area was dug up, amended and prepped for major food production.


The plan was to have three areas, a spring - summer, a fall-winter, and a fallow area with cover crops. By rotating each area, I could enrich the soil naturally and not spend a fortune in amendments. On the first go, I bought seeds from Territorial, an organic seed producer right here in Oregon. In the following seasons, I will collect and use my own seeds.

I am the attentive short lady in the middle of the picture. My husband shot this photo to emphasize my compulsive attitude with lectures. I listen well, take notes, put plans into action. He, on the other hand, can surmise the entire talk in two seconds, can walk away and do other things, then return and summarize what he hasn't heard. Frustrating.

He did visit the kitchen gardens and knows what it is that I'm after.
Stay tuned to the next stage.

Now, as a side note, I took off the list of blogs I follow because it was not updated regularly and automatically. I will post about other blogs that pop up and inspire me. There is much goodwill and talent out there.

This week, please visit Angela Regada at http://www.amazingmotherearth.blogspot.com/

29 comments:

Helen said...

Is there any place on the planet that can provide more inspiration ... for gardening or anything else? Looking forward to the next post.

Anonymous said...

I love that you are a good student as well as a teacher :). Cute picture!

marc aurel said...

I watched Cathy and Matthew weeding and digging all weekend when the sun was out. I kept hoping they were enjoying themselves. I will love their magnolia once it is planted and in flower, (perhaps next spring), but have no interest in doing the work. My only contribution will be to get rid of the yard waste.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

LOL...I love this!!! Sounds like our house!!!! I can so relate!!! Looking forward to hearing more about your garden!!!! Great picture, btw!!! ~Janine XO

potsoc said...

Rosaria you are a rarity indeed. In my professional life I , several times, had to give lectures to group of teachers. Never did I have more unruly groups and less listening.
As for gardening, yesterday the whole family spent part of the afternoon on the front and back lawns weeding, pruning and cutting dead tulips and other assorted vegetals. I held the bag to put the corpses in. At least we were all outside having fun.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Hey attentive lady in the middle, I wish you well in your endeavor to create a wonderful kitchen garden. I had such a garden in my last house, and I would love to plant one in the house we are moving into. Good luck. Man, I love France!

Carol Murdock said...

Rosaria...stepping out to the garden for fresh food is as good as it gets! Good luck dear!

Fire Byrd said...

It's good to be part of this journey in developing your own kitchen garden.
Can't wait till the planting and harvesting happen.
xx

Kristin said...

How wonderful. I've got an urban, English basement apartment. Not exactly conducive to gardening but this year I started a kitchen garden in pots. With any luck, I'll plant even more next year! It seems such a great way to live.

Shadow said...

a kitchen garden. would love one too! i would. sounds like work though, heee heee heee

La Belette Rouge said...

Lucky you!!!! Please share every delectable moment with us. No detail too small to share when it comes to France. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

Um, but what is a kitchen garden? Is it a full fruit and veg garden?

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Kitchen garden: my #1 dream. What a lovely time it must've been in France.

There's a little something over at my blog for you, if you have the inclination...

Ciao Maestra.

angela recada said...

My husband also would rather not listen to a lecture or read directions. Whenever I (grudgingly) ask for help and indicate exactly where I would like a hole, for example, it invariably ends up at least a foot away from where I clearly wanted it. I wish you lots of enjoyment from your garden!

Thanks for the link to my blog!

Suldog said...

I'm the same way with lectures and such. I'm the one still keeping both eyes on the teacher long after everybody else has decided to take a snooze. Best of luck on your garden(s)!

Tess Kincaid said...

I used to have a nice large garden with all kinds of herbs and vegetables. Now I have only one tomato in a pot on the patio. Looking forward to hearing all about yours!

An English Shepherd said...

You could have an English country garden ;-)

Wizz :-)

potsoc said...

I must say, from the pictures I saw that English country gardens are especially beautiful. There is an example of one in Manteo, North carolina's Outer Banks called the Elizabethan gardens. I went there several times, such a nice and soothing place.

Twisted willow said...

I wish you well with your plans. You sound much better organised than I am. A kitchen garden has always been part of our plans as we aim to be at least partly self-sufficient. Next stage of the plan is a poly-tunnel; for out of season crops - very necessary in our climate here in Ireland.

Unknown said...

So greatly admire your determination to tackle a kitchen garden; I just don't have he patience for anything but evergreens and perennials. Can't wait for updates.

Woman in a Window said...

I like that photo. And you there so attentive. I believe it. I'd be there sitting on the ground with my head in my hand totally distracted by someone else listening, maybe you. I would learn nothing of gardens, but perhaps of you I would learn much more. Neat, isn't it? How there is always the potential for learning?

Anonymous said...

Your husband sounds like a kindred spirit...I never take notes, either, and I do the same two-minute summary thing.

xxx said...

I enjoy reading about your passion for gardens.
This passion will keep you young at heart.

Great photo of you too :-)

best wishes
Ribbon

Feisty Crone said...

I can't wait for the next post!

ceecee said...

I envy people with a mind like your husband's. I have to take notes when reading a BLOG or I'll forget! Such a gift. No garden here - just a small terrace. I hope to have one someday.
Catherine

Maggie May said...

Well now you are armed with your notes and inspiration, you will, no doubt, be putting it all into action with your very own kitchen garden.
Looking forward to see the results!

karen said...

I love the 'attentive lady' look!

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Into your garden images I do tread
In awe of each cultivated bed
Blooms of such splendor and array
A garden in opulence lay.

Renee said...

Angela is amazing and I love her. I met her through you dear Muse.

I love how you are listening. The forever student who will do well.

Your husband is funny.

xoxoxo

Sarah Lulu said...

I love that photo of you!