Taking the Guesswork Out...

of my container gardening plans with this!

can be found here as well

Happiness...joy, joy.

I'm seriously thrilled.  With this and the obscene amount of containers, soil and seed awaiting me at the new place, I'm beyond certain that I'll be able to get in a decent amount of fresh veg despite the lateness of planting.  The greenhouse will help with that as well.

I, for real, cannot wait.

(Clickty one of those ad sense ads, would you?)

It Looks Like...

a construction zone around here!

Tanker built the first of his rabbit hutches today...I built a pen/brooder for the first set (bought/given) to move into and will likely be building another tomorrow for the set peeping away upstairs (they need to go on outside but still be warm).  The raised garden beds are built and treated, some seeds started, fruit trees awaiting permanent homes, pecan trees on the way.  Inside we are stripping away old carpet from the stairs, putting up new ceiling fans (will be needing those this summer for sure), painting, hanging doors and have two windows to replace (well, more than two...but two at a time is all we're doing).

We're making this place our own finally...now that Tanker has settled his mind on staying.  Which is a good thing because I'm not ready to be moving on anywhere else just yet.  The gypsy in me is quiet for the time being...better enjoy it.

Getting There....

Today was a day for outside work.

Separated out the new fruit trees for the soon-to-be orchard.  Started my herbs and cold crops in the greenhouse.  Hatched more fuzzy butts (current count as of this very second...26).  Found a clutch of eggs hiding in a brush pile (left them...who knows which gal laid them and how long she's had that particular hiding spot).

Tomorrow is a run to Lowe's and the local hardware store, a run to the Fort and a run to my now ex-job (will be turning in uniforms tomorrow)...gas jumped nearly 50 cents in two weeks here, completely negating my working so far from home.

I'm still going to do the job hunt thing...just hunting closer to home is all.  In the meantime, I'll be getting crafty...I suppose...and probably throwing some stuff up on Etsy...maybe.

Not Quite Spring...

but things around here are hopping along like it is!

Hens are laying, roos are crowing, some random bulbs are poking through (despite the chill in the air).  I spent the past few days scouring reviews on nurseries and decided on two for our much desired trees and berry plants.  Wood for the raised garden beds has been bought, as has a greenhouse...seeds bought and charted for getting them started at a (hopefully) good time.

The screamers even have a touch of spring fever...tomorrow they will be burning off a lot of that excess energy.  Whether they like it or not.  We've all been cooped up inside for too long.

How about you?  Spring fever bug bit yet?

Land Ho!

It's official...we're taking the junk land owner plunge.  Nevada, watch out!

It took a little convincing, but I got Tanker to mull it over and look at the possibilities.  Never fear, it's all built into the budget...see, I was sneaky like that.  Debt free (at least Tanker will be, lol) and landowners (at last!) by this time next year.

I'm excited...it may be a good long time before we're actually on it but hey...it's a start, right?  Now to start reading up on gardening in that climate...ha!

A Trip to the Grocery....

and a revelation.

Someone, around here at least, is listening. Watching, learning and buying. The area has always been big on gardening, for the most part. Nearly everyone puts in a summer garden. But this year...this year, someone (or somebodies) is doing more.

You know those packest of seeds that are 10 cents? The ones that are black and white and look old timey? The local grocery (literally local...locally owned...the only major competitor here with Tram-Law) was putting them out last week, earlier than usual I might add, and this week...poof! There are barely any left in the stand. Out of curiousity I chatted up one of the stockboys that's been there for years. "Faster than I've ever seen them go" he says. "Don't know when more are coming in. There weren't any on the truck this week but I'm sure they'll get more in."

Looks like gardens around here will be more than just the usual tomatoes and cucumbers this year. I'm looking forward to my seed order from Baker coming in, even if I don't get to plant as early as I'd like. Oh and Big Lots is stocked way, way, way up on canning jars and the likes here...so I guess not every big business isn't seeing the light...they know what is going to make money for them in just a few months at least. I would sure love to go grab a huge bunch of them, but lets face it...they'd be broke in the move most likely. I'll wait to see where we are headed, then think logistics.

On another note, Tram-Law here is already putting out the gardening stuff...no seeds yet though. Interesting that this wasn't the case last year. That stuff didn't show until late February.

So, what's the gardening forcast for your area?

Since....

I don't know WHERE I'll be but pretty much what the housing situation will be come planting time (okay, so maybe not this year...but I do know I'll be in the same place next year) I've been eyeballing some stuff to make on-the-go gardening a little easier.

I'm diggin' this Worm Factory 360 and checking out the smaller (ie less expensive) models they have too.  Reviews seem pretty well on the positive side, so it's on the wishlist but not a definate buy.  Seems that it would travel well...just what to do with it should we be station not Stateside in say 4 years....since it's not a definate buy, I won't worry.  I also like the idea of the EarthBox system, but have the stuff on hand to do that already.  Some window boxes that I've had for a good long while, some twine and dow rods...simple, effective and cheap.  And I totally see a Mini-Garden Stacker hanging/sitting in my kitchen window, loaded with herbs...yeah.

My list from Baker Creek is complete and I'm ready to put in that order...as soon as the "put away" fund is large enough to handle it.  Should be alright soon enough, then I play the sit and wait game...trying to decide if I should start them and risk damage in a long move or just hold them for next year...oh, the decisions.

Christmas in the Mail....

I got the bestest present...my Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog...today!  Happy Christmas to me!  Been thumbing through, picking out new additions to the seed pile.  Not knowing exactly where I'll be come planting time (GA, TX or TX...oh, and there is always the possibility of Germany still) does put a small damper on my picking and choosing.

I adore Baker Creek for many reasons...one being they are here, in MO.  Another being that there is a family, a real live family behind it all. A third being that these seeds are real, not messed with hybrids that really produce.  Can't beat that, now can you?

So my list is made, the funds are being allocated and I ponder the joys of a garden of my own...if we get moved in time.  I've scrubbed my big pots and have them ready for sproutlets because I know I'll be transporting the ones that need early planting.  It's actually a bit of an interesting dilemma at the moment...what to start and when...because of the current lack of knowledge concerning our summer/fall location.  I'm actually rooting for GA...hoping to snag one of the renovated historicals on-post...a yard...a real live yard...sigh.  I may not have an in-ground garden this year, but by golly...I got pots and they travel!