Sinking Blueberries On Rented Land

I rent a decent amount of land in Kelowna.  I have to admit that being both a want-to-be homesteader and a renter can be a hard sword to swallow.  It has been said that to plant a garden is to hope for tomorrow.  My hope is that I can stay in one place long enough to actually enjoy the fruits of my hopeful labours.

Tomorrow I plan to plant two blueberry bushes in my garden area.  Currently that place is part of the grass covered yard.  It needs to be cleared of the various kind of grass and weeds that are currently growing there.  I do not mind the hard work and time put into breaking ground (OK mainly my husband's hard work), what I do have trouble with is establishing plants in soil that I have no idea how long I will have access to.  Gardening is sometimes the kind of work you do for pleasure, you can become emotionally attached to your plants, and creating the perfect soil conditions to suit your needs are difficult things to leave behind.  At my prior home (also rented) we had very nice raised bed gardens that we put sweat equity into, established perennials, and a nice little community to help with watering or bounty sharing.  Moving to this land and going into Spring makes me feel a little sorry for all the little gardens I have planted and yards I have started but never had the opportunity for long term cultivation.  I keep trading up housing wise, but garden wise I am seem to be starting anew every time.

Looking at my two beautiful blueberry plants currently growing in pots I think how much I would love to see them year after year in the same place.  How they would grow and change, how I would learn to prune them, fertilize them, mulch them, and let them settle in.  I bought them with a friend on a special outing.  When I look at them I am reminded of the best day I had in all of 2013.

With a heavy and hopeful heart I am committing them to the soil.  Trying to just enjoy the moment of planting them.  I am both releasing them and hoping for a long and bountiful future together.

Do you rent and plan a garden?  How long have you rented and how do you make peace with your limitations?

My Pet Peeve.

Sometimes food gets wasted in my house.  I am so ashamed and angered with myself when something spoils.  It does not happen often as I have been trying the buy less but more often kind of lifestyle, however "the basics" sometimes do end up not getting used.  Items such as bread, fruit, veggies and leftover odds and ends often see the trash can.  I resolve to stop this as best I can by actually ingesting or sharing what I cannot use.  BUT in the event that I do have something that ends up inedible, I need to find a new use for it to be satisfied.

I purchased some organic oranges and WASTED THEM!  Oh the shame of it!  I made poor choices by eating processed foods or just not putting together a proper lunch.  So instead of just throwing them in ye'ol compost I used them to clean my bathroom.  My bathtub gets a lot of use and frequently needs a good scrub.  I usually lean towards microfibre cloths or an abrasive such as baking power or salt.  But this time I thought why not a little aromatherapy as well.  I chose to use the oranges as lemons have a low pH and antibacterial properties. Soon I found out that citrus shines chrome, disinfects/cleans cutting boards, and basically can just about anything to do with cleaning or disinfecting.  I also see a lot of people making cleaner with the peels too.  Obvious I am not the original but in the event you have not seen this before, I thought I would share.

Orangetastic How To:
1. Fill a glass container with orange or other citrus peels. 
2. Cover the peels with household vinegar. 
3. Leave to mingle a few weeks.
4. Take some of the liquid/coloured vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle, diluting half/half with water.  Or just add some to a rag as needed.

Caulk In Hand

     I am going to admit something.  I am sexist within my marriage.  I just realised that I have been shuffling so many jobs to my husband because he is a man and therefore can perform certain tasks I think for some reason I cannot.  Hmmm.  I have a long list of home chores for him to do.  For example take heavy things out to the shed, finish painting a wall, hang a blind, caulk the bathroom window etc.  As I see his chore list growing my anger builds.  Please for the love of God get something off of that list!!  Then it hit me, he does things like cleaning and cooking (often even better than I do) so I am just going to go ahead and start doing some of his chores and see where it gets me.  These things started becoming his jobs naturally.  He is bigger and stronger so he carried home the groceries.  He is taller so he can put things away easier and on and on.  I did not intend for this to happen, it just did.

     And so today I began my new marriage goal.  Now somewhat done, I stand back and look at my work I think, not bad.  But what I am really happy about it that tonight while my hubby took a nap on the couch and then a long hot bath I worked my ass off reducing his stress level.  Prior to my recent can do attitude, I might have ideas of where his time could have been spent better.  Tonight though I silently and without any angry feelings did "his"chores.  I feel really proud of myself.  In addition to my mind changing about who can do what, I am also trying to micro-manage him less.  I have had some disappointments before and maybe might have been a teensy-weensy bit critical.  Tonight when my lovely husband asked me very direct questions about a minor decision I just made a few take it or leave is suggestions and said "you can handle it".  This is big for me as I am SLIGHTLY controlling over things that affect me.  He made great choices and I am glad not to of had to go through every little detail of what I expected.

     I hope you dear reader, will not think less of me for my reliance on gender segregated tasks.  I used to do everything on my own and never wanted to depend on Scott for anything ever.  In order to be in a relationship in any capacity though, you have to give and take.  Often going in the direction of whoever prefers or excels at a certain task will be the one to own that job forever.  I do see how I have been limiting myself though with these tendencies.   Although Scott enjoys and is better than me at computer stuff, I still should learn how to do it, you know, in case he chops all his fingers off.  Or he should bathe and groom the dogs just in case I ever chop all my fingers off.  I guess over all I still think that in any partnership, things run smoothest when people know what is expected of them and people perfect their skills by doing the same ones over and over.  However what I am learning is that taking the reins sometimes gives you a deep sense of appreciation for what your partner goes through to hold up their end of things.

     Take care of your loved ones!  

Treasure their commitment to making it work with you.

PS Sorry for the shameless title.

Garden 2013

      February in the Okanagan.

     For most of Canada, February kind of...well...sucks!  Not for the folks who live in this place of abundance and blessings.  Last week I started seeing people in shorts and skirts.  Lighter jackets have already become the norm.  My husband actually regrets buying a winter jacket this year as he had little need of it.  We are frequently hearing about the "sunshine tax" of Kelowna.  I just do not feel that way.  Perhaps if I had a medical licence and was stuck pumping gas then I would feel more resentment for the "sunshine tax", but for someone who lives simply and therefore can afford to work a job that gives them some pleasure, the sunshine is a bonus.  Before moving to Kelowna I had not been told of the employment problems here.  Apparently it is really hard to find a job here and most decent jobs are based on your connections.  Both Scott and I are lucky enough to be working and some weeks even manage a day or two off together.  This year I am going to try and prioritise our relationship more and some of that time will be spent in the garden.  Last year I maintained the garden and yard on my own.  My husband helped me mowing the grass a couple of times, but for the most part the yard and all of the garden where my domain.

     I remember once seeing a woman making a map of flower beds.  At the time I laughed.  I had never seen anyone do something like that.  Now I see the value of planning especially on paper your garden space.  I have a large front yard piece.  The soil is horrible and it is on a busy road.  The sun bakes down hard on it for most of the day and shades about twenty percent of it.  Last year I planted mainly flowers and potatoes in that space.  There is a lot of dust and dirtiness from the vehicle output.  I was put off by the idea of planting much of anything food wise there due to contamination from the street.  Last fall I put in a lot of perennials and some rocks to section off the garden space.  I found some round patio stones and placed them like a path to my front door.  This year I am planning on planting a lot more potatoes in the front, edible flowers, ivy on the ugly areas, and some herbs near my door.  I have collected many second hand terracotta pots last year.  I will place the herbs in the pots so that I cam move them around frequently so they get just enough sun, but not bake.

      My plans for the back include a lot of tomatoes.  I tried too many things last year, this year I think I will plan to depend on myself for a few things and then heavily shop the farmer's market for winter supplies.  I still have two bags of onions and many potatoes from last August.  The potatoes started to produce eyes, but still that is pretty good for over six months ago.  I have been looking into sand a lot lately.  You can use sand to store many vegetables.  My husband helped me to clean up a basement room so that we can make a cold room for next year.  I am so excited to see my little room and all things "put up" for next year.

     This year I really want to make the most of my space.  The best purls of wisdom I had last year was do the best with what I have.  This is not my dream yard, but it is a yard!  I share it with other people so I have to be respectful of their needs and decorating style as well.  However I have about 6 by 1 meters of raised bed garden beds.  Some side spaces for flowers and bushes, and this year I am going to really use my deck space.  I did not really know what to do with it last year so I mainly used it for herbs and a table and chair set.  I have several large pots for tomatoes, a rug, and more hopes than last year.

     Last year we did not have a lot of money for the garden, but this year I have more reserves and connections.  I have been buying a few packages of seeds here and there and am never to proud to grab a discarded pot or tomato cage.  I have also had a lot of success with people giving plants at the end of the season when the trim down their yard.  So over all, I have spent very little on my garden so far, but I have leaned a lot this winter by reading and following other gardeners.  This year I will have graduated from "Novice Gardener" to "Green Thumb In Training " and I cannot wait to share my treats with friends and photos with you dear readers.  

Backwards Is Forwards

      Reaching a certain age makes you realize that you only have a certain amount to time left on this earth.  This makes me seriously ask the question "am I where I want to be right now and if not should I try to achieve the dreams I made as a young adult, or create new directions for myself?"

     The desires of my youth were a lot like anyone else's.  Never struggle financially, travel anywhere I wish, about mariage, to stay youthful and slim, to have a life nothing like the adults around me.  Now into my thirties I am observing my life is nothing like what I imagined.  I know this is common and do not feel depressed that I did not achieve my youth inspired misguided mission.  I needed those ideal to get me where I went.  Now though that my youth is behind me, I realize that I am actually an adult now.  My mind is clearer, my heart is tied to someone, and my feet are a whole lot more on the ground.  I think that the funniest part about my original dream where that I still want to do them to some degree, only in ten years from now.  I see now that living my early and mid twenties the way I did gave me an urgent feeling of responsibility now.  I need to play catch up in a big way!  In a perfect world I would have been able to finish school and would have paid off my student loans by now.  I would have traveled on my holidays instead of living in another country.  I would have moved to city that I had a job offer instead of starting my life back in Canada in the most expensive and socially difficult place in the country.  But as my parents frequently told me "You never choose the easy way". haha  And it is still true today.  I have never chosen easy paths to follow, but that is why I am able to face more than the average person my age.

     The next stage of my life will not be quite as exciting as years prior, however at this stage that sounds like the biggest undertaking I have ever challenged myself with.

Creating An Intentional Community

     The idea of an intentional community has been on my mind for several years now.  Some friends joked that is what I was doing when I moved from Vancouver to Kelowna, "Starting the off grid community".  At the time I thought of it as a joke.  But now, one year later I am no closer to my dream and do not have a community.  Last night though I did feel very inspired by visiting one.  Largely it is made up of family members who seem to like to get together and enjoy or help one another.  I am an outsider but everyone there made me feel so welcome and like a cherished member of the group.  There where lots of people there who where not direct family members too.  There where even people from New Zealand and China.  The celebration was for the Shetland Island tradition Up Helly Aa.  It was my first time seeing this boat burning yearly event and it was a lot of fun.

     This was my third visit to this particular farm.  Imagine a decent amount of healthy cows out in a free pasture.  Calves growing up alongside their mothers.  A few horses (yes a Shetland pony too), space for chickens although I did not see any, strong silent dogs who watch over the kids while waiting patiently for a treat to be dropped by little hands.  The last time I was at the farm someone told me that when the female Boarder Collie had babies, the the pups went to friends who knew what a great temperament their little fluff-ball would inherit.  Little human bodies in thick snow suites are everywhere, cousins and close family friends slide down the snow hill together.  Most people have travelled with a full vehicle and are coming out of their cars holding dishes covered in tea towels.  Matriarchs have their elbows held as they make their way to the hay ride.  Torches are being handed to the men to light the way and the smell of cinnamon and wine are everywhere.

      After the boat burning, many colourful casserole dishes with family style foods decorated a rough board counter in the barn.  Chillies, buns with grandma's hand print in them, jars of local fruit jams, a trough filled with ice and beverages, mulled wine cooking on an outdoor fire, and long rough home-made tables with old chairs or rough benches.  Kids ran wild helping themselves to anything and everything.  Older men and women stayed close to the indoor cast iron stove making sure that everyone had their fill.  After dinner, those who played instruments sat in the larger part of the barn for the dance.  Violin, fiddle, and wind instruments filled the air until a little woodpecker shot out of the rafters.  The party is started!   Some people actually knew how to dance in a Celtic style.  The kids followed along quickly, a lot of people danced in circles holding hands, shy folks sat on the handmade benches clapping and smiling.  One boy had some break dancing skills and would lay in the middle of the floor and kick his legs to the music.  Everyone was happy.  Nobody went cold or hungry.  My heart was full as well as my eyes.

      This morning I keep thinking back on conversations I had with people.  The relatives where quick to tell me which house they lived in or currently reside.  It seems like a lot of the people all have at some point lived on that piece of land.    I am so hungry for that kind of life.  I look around my big house and think that I really only need about half of the space I have.  I could easily share this home with another family.  The basement could also house 2 families who did not need a lot of personal space.  Could this house be where I start?

     My goal is to come up with some plan.  A flexible guide for what life could be for me and a group of like minded folks.  I need to spread the word.  Find a few families who would like their kids to know what community spirit really is and is willing to leave "luxury" for something else.  I do not have children, but like the idea of most of the people around me doing this for their kids.  Teaching them survival skills and how to work together with others for the greater good.  So with a plan in place, I look at property.  How many acres and how many families?  Then with some idea of what it will take to make this all happen, invite people I know to make the change with me.  Maybe I can find others and maybe not.  If not then the risk will have to be mine alone.  I do have to remember though that there are a lot of great people who are already living this way who I can learn from and fit in with.  However it ends up...it will be for the best.  In the meantime though I will keep trying to connect with and keep my heart open to great folks like I met last night.  It keeps my dream alive.