Sunflower Wisdom

Nature has something to teach us. Always.

Last week, she spoke through sunflowers. The sunflowers we planted in the greenhouse had grown rapidly, towering over other tiny seedlings. But recently, the sunflowers looked as if they were stressed out. Exhausted. Roots reaching for more space, more water, more something.

So, we transplanted them in a deeper flat with more room to spread out. And we moved them to a place sure to get ample water from the watering system. And within a couple of days, the sunflowers looked better than ever. Growing tall, confident, beautiful. Acting more like themselves again.

And how often to we find ourselves - or others in our lives - stressed out, exhausted, needing more space and care? And how often do we slow down, to assess what we or others need to be healthy and whole? And then, how often do we actually take simple action to care for ourselves and others?

Listen to the sunflowers. They offer us lessons in compassion and simple acts of kindness. Compassion for ourselves, our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, our families.

In other news, our first plantings - broccoli, kale, collards, kohlrabi - have been patiently waiting to enter the garden. They've been hanging out in our new cold frame, which provides a transition space between the nurturing greenhouse and the harsh reality of life in the garden. (So maybe the cold frame is a bit like college... an inbetween prepration for the "real deal"?)

Once our fields dry out a bit from the recent downpours, we'll sprinkle them with nourishing compost, rake our beds, and provide new homes for our plants and seeds. Spring is moving along!

Imagining Fields of Color

Life is happening in the greenhouse! Our first set of seeds are growing, growing, growing! In addition to those first cabbage family plants, we've planted herbs, edible flowers, tomatoes, peppers, okra, and eggplants! It is tremendously exciting to see new life springing forth from tiny seeds. And, it's additionally exciting to imagine our gardens full of colorful plants soon!

Last week, the staff (and family members!) of Communities In Schools pitched in for a clean-up morning in the garden behind our office. Leaves were raked. Briars were pruned. Fences were cleared. Soil was turned. Compost was flipped. And all of our spirits seemed uplifted by our time in the garden. We were reminded the joy of being outside, getting exercise, and accomplishing something good, together as a team.

In the coming weeks, we are looking forward to those Springtime miracles in our little gardens, as we plant more seeds, wait, and watch, as nature turns brown to green and green to rainbows.

Autumn Bounty in March

Seeds that were planted last Fall have survived our mild winter and thrived! This week, folks have gathered under evening sunshine to glean leftover turnips and greens. Vegetables seem to be multiplying as we struggle to pick them all! But we're trying to salvage and distrubute autumn's bounty before we turn the soil for Spring planting.

Harvesting together lends moments for conversation and laughter. One common topic discussed is the best way to cook turnips.

Here's Jettie's Classic Method - Peel, chop, and cook turnips in water, letting the water boil down until turnips are mashable (like potatoes). Add fatback, butter, salt, pepper, and a bit of sugar to taste. Share and enjoy!

A few other turnip ideas:
Mash along with Irish Potatoes.
Roast with other root vegetables or by themselves.
Add to your favorite soup.
Cut thin slices and fry or bake turnip chips!

Know any delicious turnip ideas? Feel free to suggest some as we've got plenty to experiment with!