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.