Spring is coming!

Though it hardly feels like it, Spring is on its way, which means that the gardening/farming season in Southern Ontario is getting closer!

In addition to growing bushel basket container gardens, selling fresh produce, and getting into urban agriculture, Scatterplots will hopefully be involved in some new and creative gardening endeavours for Summer 2014.

The latest idea:

•  Installing in-ground or raised-bed gardens for people and maintaining them throughout the summer, or taking the produce grown on their land and selling it for them!

If you have any interest in or feedback on this idea, please advise! Contact Rachel Dyck at: rachel.m92@gmail.com

And enjoy the rest of these wintery days as best you can!

A great fall harvest recipe!

This recipe is from the cookbook Simply in Season:

Company Muffins

Yields: 18 muffins

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup oat bran or rolled oats
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

In large bowl combine and stir well.

2 large tart apples (peeled, cored, and shredded)
1 1/2 carrots (shredded)
1 cup walnuts or flax seed meal
1/2 cup raisins

Add and stir to coat. Make well in centre.

2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup oil

In separate bowl mix together. Pour into flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. Fill muffin tins about 3/4 full. Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 18-20 minutes.
 
Photo courtesy of: http://www.numnumsbaby.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/mango-apple-carrot.jpg

It's November 11, and some plants are still growing strong! Parsley and thyme (mostly grown in containers this year) have been transplanted into the garden in preparation for the winter, and carrot tops are still looking green. The lettuce has become slightly bitter but is still growing, and so is the spinach. And broccoli is still producing - hooray! A little goes a long way :)
Check out Gardens to Grow by Scatterplots on Facebook for a link to info about storing carrots in the ground over winter: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gardens-to-Grow-by-Scatterplots/314522618635451

Garden Poem

By Rachel Dyck

Dedicated to Evy Dyck, an amazing supporter and wonderful grandmother to many grand-plants

Sometimes the world seems so heavy
Lonely and laden with strife
Amidst all the chaos around us

A garden can teach us of life

Each summer I grow a small garden

and put in the work I must do
now let me say that it goes both ways;
the garden – it helps me to grow, too

So many things that I notice

while working with plants as they grow
are lessons – reminders – that show me
things I might think that I know

It begins with preparing and planting

for the season that lies up ahead
at first, the garden looks empty;
barren, perhaps even dead

Then when I’m feeling discouraged

when I’m tired of waiting for birth
I notice a tiny green shoot
sprouting up from the dark brown earth

A wee little seed that was sown

grows into a plant of great height
Not because of my skills, but what a great thrill
to be part of a precious new life

The weather can cause great frustration

the weeds and the insects are bad
but in spite of the questions and toiling
a garden, it makes a soul glad

Gardeners, they need not be genius;

willingness is the key
the hope that is found in the garden
is what makes it worthwhile for me

 

 

Selling veggies door-to-door in St. Jacobs - an entrepreneurial experience!

Pay $10 for a combination of garden-fresh produce-in-a-box! Veggies include carrots, red and white onions, tomatoes, potatoes, endive, beets, garlic, cucumber and leeks. Pick-up location in St. Jacobs, or contact to discuss delivery.

Gardens are now available at half price! $10 for a mini-herb garden, $17 for a full-sized bushel basket garden (bean, tomato or sweet pepper). E-mail rachel.m92@gmail.com for details while this offer lasts!