Friday, September 10, 2010

A Garden Diary in Photos.

Now, I just know this will bring tears to your eyes...a recap of a garden in a one-of-a-kind photo diary to share the joy - and frustrations - we've experienced this season. It was a hell-of-a season and I tend to get a little teary eyed, myself, when I look at all we produced this year. It's like a dream come true; you plant the seed and, hope, for all that life has to offer, well, with maybe a little help from my organic fertilizer. Yes, I'm that serious about it...forgive me. But, as miserable as it was getting anything started this year, we actually got something out of it. We didn't eat our faces off from the produce, but things started to turn around. And, thank God, because my husband starts to get annoyed with me about my participation in our garden when things don't go just quite right. Hey, I can't help it... I'm a fair weather kinda gal! But, I cleaned up my act and pulled it together...and I think I came out right on the other side.
Oregon Giant

Liberty Blueberries.

Purple, Yellow and Green Beans.

Peaches and Cream Corn.

Raspberries.

Elias picking raspberries.
Once he gets started, he doesn't stop.
Cherry Tomatoes.
Banana Peppers
Bush Cucumber
Rainbow Carrots
Happy to enjoy things from the garden.

Basil, beautiful, basil.


Scallions aren't looking so bad.




Growing corn...see the ears in there!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Zoo Doo

I'm on the quest to be the next recipient of Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo's Zoo Doo event. That's right, I could be one of the many winners who will receive the zoo's compost created from their many exotic animals. This year's 'Fecal Festival' has officially begun and this could be my shot at receiving a bulk load of this special poop. This may be the lottery I actually do win!

Woodland Park Zoo Doo happens only twice a year in early March and September. With their commitment to conservation, the zoo provides this unique, 100% recycled product to lucky winners who send in a postcard with their contact information on it. They draw the winners who, then, choose how much zoo doo they want: 8x4, 6x4 or 6x3 truckloads, a garbage can or a couple bags full of Zoo Poo.
This special Zoo Doo is fully composted and includes animal manures mixed with straw bedding, grass, leaves and wood chips from the grounds of Woodland Park Zoo. Animals include, elephants, hippos, zebras, giraffes, gazelles and more. The best part about this program is Woodland Park Zoo creates nearly 1 million pounds of compost each year. That's a savings of $60,000 per year in disposal costs.
We are annual Woodland Park Zoo members and I'm hoping this helps our chances. (Ha, Ha) We scour the zoo on a weekly basis in search of the monkeys, penguins, flamingos, or, to just kick back on an old tractor in the family farm section. We are huge zoo fans...and compost fans, so wish us luck!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfNVEvRI3w