Life around Garden and Café

[Phaedra]

The first sowing (veggies) is done

Peas for shoots, broad beans, lettuce, small brassica, Japanese crown daisy (for leaves)

Tomorrow, i will sow seeds for cut flower patches.

 

[SPedigrees]

The first sowing (veggies) is done

Peas for shoots, broad beans, lettuce, small brassica, Japanese crown daisy (for leaves)
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Tomorrow, i will sow seeds for cut flower patches.

On a *much smaller* scale I've been growing pea shoots in this little grow kit over the past winter months. They are wonderful in salads. Last night I finally "retired" them, and the root systems these small plants had grown were remarkable. Roots entirely filled these tiny pots.

I started over with new soil and spinach in one pot and a lettuce mix in the other. In a couple months I will replace these with tomato starts, and then retire this indoor grow kit for the summer, as fresh greens will be available by then at the farmers market.

Will you be transplanting your plants to outdoor locations, or growing them indoors?

 

[Phaedra]

On a *much smaller* scale I've been growing pea shoots in this little grow kit over the past winter months. They are wonderful in salads. Last night I finally "retired" them, and the root systems these small plants had grown were remarkable. Roots entirely filled these tiny pots.

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I started over with new soil and spinach in one pot and a lettuce mix in the other. In a couple months I will replace these with tomato starts, and then retire this indoor grow kit for the summer, as fresh greens will be available by then at the farmers market.

Will you be transplanting your plants to outdoor locations, or growing them indoors?

Yes, I transplant them as early as I reasonably can. This first batch usually handles a bit of late frost just fine. Keeping them indoors for too long actually creates more problems — pests, excess moisture, and that constant need to manage everything.

A few years ago, I sowed very early and ended up with a greenhouse packed full of young plants. It was overwhelming. I realized I don’t enjoy that kind of pressure, so I stopped doing it.

These days, my first sowing is always around Valentine’s Day.

 

[Dahlia]

I did. Last year, part of my vegetable growing (especially leafy greens for salad and herbs, as they don't need so much direct sunlight) shifted from the main garden to the front yard (in front of cafe).

It's very interesting decision, and customers see what's on their plate are just within twenty steps away where they sit. Besides, front yard is also responsible for producing flowers for each table in the outdoor sitting area. To be honest, it's the beauty of staying small.

So many people asked why we don't move to a bigger place (and can earn more money) - I am confident that I can earn much more than such a garage-based cafe, but I don't want, as I only need certain money to keep building our financial independence. Enough is enough, and i am not willing to exchange more time for that.

As for the main garden, it gradually becomes a perennial garden and brought me a lot of joy 'foraging' on our own property - wild garlic/chive/scallion patch, berry patch, asparagus patch, fruit trees and vines start bearing fruits, herbs and roses, perennial flowering plants...etc. I became more like an observer and forager - and this role also brings totally different delight.

I will have 10-days off from next week, to start sowing for this growing season and re-arrange the outdoor sitting area, can't wait.


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Another beauty is, when people come, I serve, otherwise, I am back to my daily life and keep what I should do to enjoy each day in 10 steps - this flexibility is something a bigger place can't afford.
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And I keep studying and improving my recipes - to create food lighter and easier for body to digest.
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Also turned cakes and cookies into Gluten-free, as gluten is not needed for both. More people can enjoy desserts~

Gluten-free strawberry chiffon cake
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daily lunch set (no fixed menu)

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Next new project~
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I wish you were nearby as I would love to come eat at your cafe and look at all of your plants and crafts!

 

[Phaedra]

After such a long winter, today is the first day that we have more than 10 hours sunlight!

The planters on the window sills were reloaded.

Bagels baked

Walked with dogs

I finally made small herb pillows - dried herbs and flowers from last year.

A lovely brunch for myself (2 off-days)

Quails enjoy sunlight, too.

Time for pricking them out.

 

[Dahlia]

After such a long winter, today is the first day that we have more than 10 hours sunlight!
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The planters on the window sills were reloaded.
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Bagels baked
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Walked with dogs
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I finally made small herb pillows - dried herbs and flowers from last year.
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A lovely brunch for myself (2 off-days)
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Quails enjoy sunlight, too.
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Time for pricking them out.
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Your pics are always so delightful! Thx for sharing!

 

[SPedigrees]

After such a long winter, today is the first day that we have more than 10 hours sunlight!
View attachment 79866
The planters on the window sills were reloaded.
View attachment 79867
Bagels baked
View attachment 79868

View attachment 79869
Walked with dogs
View attachment 79870
I finally made small herb pillows - dried herbs and flowers from last year.
View attachment 79871

A lovely brunch for myself (2 off-days)
View attachment 79872

Quails enjoy sunlight, too.
View attachment 79873

Time for pricking them out.
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Glad to see that you eat as well as your cafe customers, Phaedra. Love to see your critters also enjoying the Spring weather, quail in their pen and dogs out walking the trails. Your photos are always such a joy to see.

 

[Phaedra]

The weather remains lovely, so I clean up some beds in a west-facing area, and transplanted a few Sprouting broccoli to pots.

Simple lunch - homemade bread and veggie soup

The early blommers

The good weather will remain for a while, and it's like a gift from spring.

Refilled the beds with homemade compost

 

[Dahlia]

The weather remains lovely, so I clean up some beds in a west-facing area, and transplanted a few Sprouting broccoli to pots.
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Simple lunch - homemade bread and veggie soup
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The early blommers
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The good weather will remain for a while, and it's like a gift from spring.
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Refilled the beds with homemade compost
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Yum, I love your food presentations! They look so scrumptious! Lovely flowers too!

 

[baymule]

I've been missing you. Been missing the pictures of your daily life, the shop, the food you prepare, the garden-flowers and vegetables, the chickens, quail and dogs. Most of all-YOU. I'm glad that you are working out the hours in the shop, what to grow and prepare. Experience is making it better. And you are right in staying small, more is not always better.