Thursday, May 31, 2012

Tomorrow I meet my garden.

She's Back (tomorrow), 2008
I've planted some seeds with my father, but I have not had my very own space for about 4 years.  Tomorrow I meet my garden, a little patch of borrowed soil we will call our own for 90 days.

We'll be starting later than the photo above.  My knit hat will be replaced by a wide brim model, made of straw.

I had a grand plan, but I'm going to scrap the whole thing.  I want to see this space, meet the birds, and sink my hands into the soil before deciding what should live in it.

+++  update  +++
3:02 PM  I've just arrived home with 9 seed packets.  What is wrong with me?  The moment I make a grand pronouncement I up and do the opposite.  I'm not even sure I'll have enough space for these choices.  What about my respect for the birds and the space and the nature of the soil?  My commitment to meeting them first?  Sheesh.  I will now say hello with small pouches of seed for growing Progress #9 shelling peas,  Contender bush beans, Early Yellow Crookneck summer squash, spicy micro greens, Italian Red of Florence scallion/bunching onions, French Breakfast radishes, Cherry Belle radishes, Japanese Mini Sweet ninjin/carrots, and a mesclun lettuce blend.
Posted by Denise | Chez Danisse at 9:45 AM
Labels: , , ,

34 comments:

  1. KateMay 31, 2012 at 10:16 AM

    I hope your first meeting is joyful. I'll think of you in the sun, breathing in the scent of soil and dreaming and planning.

    ReplyDelete
  2. carinaMay 31, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    Good luck. I so wished I had a garden too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MiseMay 31, 2012 at 1:30 PM

    I think the knit hat is beautiful and irreplaceable, but I'm excited about your garden too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Denise | Chez DanisseMay 31, 2012 at 3:18 PM

      Oh, Mise, I still have the hat. I really like that hat. It will just be a little warm in June for wearing it.

      Delete
  4. UnknownMay 31, 2012 at 2:22 PM

    I know that you will make the very most of it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Denise | Chez DanisseMay 31, 2012 at 3:17 PM

    Please see post update.

    ReplyDelete
  6. flwrjaneMay 31, 2012 at 3:53 PM

    I'm happy to think of you gardening. And I look forward to sharing the stories and recipes that come along with a bit of dirt.

    xo Jane

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jaime RughMay 31, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    I think I have a thing or two to learn from you, thoughtful gardener,
    Can't wait for more

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Denise | Chez DanisseJune 5, 2012 at 9:42 PM

      More? Well... We added dill, cucumber, squash, and tomato starts and planted kale, arugula, and chard. That's it for now.

      Delete
  8. LeciawpMay 31, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    SO excited for you! xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lucent ImageryMay 31, 2012 at 7:31 PM

    Hee hee. Sounds like someone's excited! Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Elsa MayMay 31, 2012 at 8:54 PM

    Ah the temptation of a few packets of seeds... And made all the more desirable by your recent procurement of land... I can see how your best intentions were swept away by the lure of the seeds...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Stacy G.May 31, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    I'm happy you're getting into gardening again! Up here, the mid-90's heat is blasting all of my spring veggies into the realm of bitterness, but I hear that the Bay area climate tends to be more forgiving and cooler. Excited to see what you grow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Denise | Chez DanisseJune 5, 2012 at 9:46 PM

      Bitterness? 90s? Wow. So sad. I hope it cools a bit for you. It hasn't gotten terribly warm here in West Marin. I often miss warm nights, but I don't know if I could handle such heat.

      Delete
  12. nancy at good food mattersJune 1, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    there will be plenty of opportunities to greet the birds---plant away! I always get more seeds than I have actual space for--garden enthusiasm always takes over. right now we are eating lots of spinach, lettuces and scallions from our patch--tomatoes have yellow flowers, with a few tiny green fruits forming. Have a great season in your garden, Denise. It shall bring you much joy and satisfaction.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Michele | Cooking At HomeJune 1, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    Your new garden sounds just perfect. Those gorgeous seed packets are hard to resist, and I can't wait for you to harvest the radishes. I'm sure your digging in dirt will bring much inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  14. JanisJune 1, 2012 at 7:40 AM

    I know the temptation, and giving in to buying seed packets is a good one. Plant, and the birds will love it...they might just serenade you.

    p.s. you look adorable in the photo xo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Rachael | The Slow-Cooked SentenceJune 1, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    That is okay, Denise. I'm sure there's plenty of soil to share amongst your seeds and the birds and the worms. My favorite seed packet I planted this spring: Drunken Woman Frizzy Headed Lettuce. Seemed appropriate.

    ReplyDelete
  16. NicoleJune 1, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    Not a thing wrong with you! Those seed packets must have been smiling at you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownJune 1, 2012 at 12:14 PM

    I am glad there was a mix-up over at Rusty's, because it let me here. I think I might stay and read a bit.

    Curtain Girl

    ReplyDelete
  18. amelia from z tasty lifeJune 1, 2012 at 4:05 PM

    A small garden is a wonderful meditation practice. It gets your hands in the soil so you can really connect with nature and the manual work takes.your mind away from the rest. It is a community with the land and an amazing experiment in life growth: the biggest mystery. Happy encounter, Denise

    ReplyDelete
  19. @tadajaJune 3, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    Bringing offerings to a first meeting is no bad thing. I'm sure it won't have hindered you from communing with your garden space. May you have a happy growing season there.

    ReplyDelete
  20. DebbieJune 3, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    I could not possibly understand more. I grew up with parents who gardened obsessively - many things were picked fresh from the garden for dinner during the summer! Now I find myself surrounded by deer, rabbits, and other forms of wildlife who view anything I plant as a buffet. I must be content with a few bunches of basil growing on my kitchen windowsill. Of course you arrived home with nine seed packets. Who wouldn't?

    ReplyDelete
  21. HilaJune 4, 2012 at 11:50 PM

    ha, but at least you're enthusiastic! I'm sure your garden will be pleased to be greeted by such an array.

    ReplyDelete
  22. KateJune 5, 2012 at 3:29 AM

    I love your excitement. You can respect the birds by cramming the space full of lovely things that they'll take great pleasure in helping you eat!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Teresa, foodonfifth.comJune 5, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    Beautiful and good gardening.

    ReplyDelete
  24. JenJune 5, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    It's so difficult to say no to a seed packet. I've been there...

    ReplyDelete
  25. RWJune 5, 2012 at 7:37 PM

    oh man
    this was great.
    love the enthusiasm for the project.
    I was all impressed by my romaine lettuce that I thought I might plant some zucchini. I would make muffins. Nobody was the least bit excited. So, I am rethinking. Because unwanted zucchinis are sad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Denise | Chez DanisseJune 5, 2012 at 9:39 PM

      I do love zucchini, especially grilled, but once they get going it seems they do not stop. Perhaps you could pass your extras on to neighbors, co-workers, extended family, friends, your postal worker, etc.

      Delete
  26. JaneJune 6, 2012 at 5:59 AM

    Hi Denise, Just catching up! I can never make choices about seeds, so now I don't buy any. Your pictures are wonderful as usual. Hope you are well.

    ReplyDelete
  27. ElaineJune 11, 2012 at 3:13 PM

    Concerning your question: "What is wrong with me?" Nothing. You are behaving like a typical and true gardener. Lovely seed choices, too.

    ReplyDelete
  28. lucyJune 13, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    oh i DO wish we lived closer, d. i am SOOOOOO excited for your litle adventure, and i've a lot of seeds i'd love to share with you.

    have fun!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)