Garlic Popped!

My little garlic cloves have sprouted! Aren't they cute?

I love to grow garlic ~ it's one of my favorite edibles to grow!  I plant it in the Fall, see it pop up sweet little leaves in the spring, harvest the scapes in May/June to make the best pesto EVER, and then harvest in July to eat right away and to store for later.  Each point of transition makes me feel happy and excited (I'm a food/garden nerd). 

About a month ago (when it was still really cold here in New England) some of the garlic bulbs had actually come out of the ground.  The soil was still too frozen to put back the cloves into the ground.  So I just left the bulbs on top of the soil until it was warmer...hoping that they would still sprout and thrive at some point.

Today, I was pleasantly surprised when I went out to check on the garden.  The soil was warmer and pliable AND the garlic bulbs had sprouted even without being in the ground!  Crazy!  So I pushed those little guys back into the ground and marveled at how they sprouted even thought they weren't in the "perfect" condition.

Little garlic clove that landed on top of the soil but still sprouted!

Seeing the bulbs out of the ground also allowed me to see what happens underground.  Did you know that the garlic "sheds" it's skin?  Well, maybe you did...but I didn't.  I imagined the garlic taking its winter coat off as it moved into Spring.   

Garlic shedding its winter coat.

This is just the beginning of Spring surprises.  I love that gardening is a constant learning and discovery journey.

Hands On Edible Garden Workshops Now Available

I'm excited to announce my first round of hands-on workshops focusing on edible gardening are now available through Tangerini's Spring Street Farm! 



Workshop #1 - How To Build a Raised Bed
Raised garden beds have become a popular and simple way to successfully grow vegetables, herbs and flowers in backyards, front yards and small spaces. If you’ve been curious about how to build a raised bed but have no idea where to start or don’t think you’re very “handy” this workshop is for you. This 2/2.5 hour, hands-on workshop will go through the steps to building a raised garden bed. This class is designed for first time edible gardeners or self-proclaimed "black thumbs."

Workshop #2 - Planting Vegetables and Herbs in My First Backyard Garden
Once your edible garden area is built and prepped you are ready for planting!  Join this 1.5/2 hour workshop and learn about what and how to plant, whether you should use seeds or plantings, garden design tips and ideas, and inter-planting and succession planting.  This class is designed for first time edible gardeners or self-proclaimed "black thumbs."

Patience

I just Googled the word "patience."  Here's what it says, "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset."

Yep, I'm trying not to get upset or angry by the delay in spring.  Trying is the key word here.  And to say that I've suffered through the winter may be a bit dramatic...but there have been days...especially recently when Spring has officially arrived and it's still pretty cold and more snow is on its way.

Patience.

So why am I rambling about patience?  Because as a gardener there are many lessons in patience.  One being the waiting for winter to end and Spring to begin.  And once those seeds get planted, patience while waiting for seeds to pop out of the soil.

Today, I received a newsletter from The Neighborhood Farm.  The writer pointed out that whether you start seeds early or late, the plants eventually catch up and "know" when to germinate and grow.  I like that.  I like that we can trust the seed and the earth...and God....to make it all grow.  Whether we have patience or not, the seeds will do what they are suppose to do.

If you're like me...chomping at the bit to get your garden started but delayed by the slow start to spring....
 
We will get there.

The snow will melt.

The temps will rise.

We will plant.

We will harvest.  

We just have to have a little more patience.


For now, if you need something to do...feel free to take my e-course, starting next week.

(Yes, that was a shameless plug).

I'm excited that my first edible garden e-courses are ready for registration!  I hope you will join.  Click here for details and registration.



 

Nourish by Coco Lewis Has Launched!

For the past couple of weeks I have been working on and soft launching my newest venture, Nourish by Coco Lewis. I'm starting Nourish by Coco Lewis to combine my skills and passions with what I have learned and experienced (so far) in edible gardening, food and wellness. Through newsletters, e-courses, workshops and/or one-to-one coaching my hope is to guide others towards better health, deeper nourishment and connection to food and community.

I am currently developing e-courses and workshops that focus on starting an edible garden, working through a CSA share, and seasonal eating. Stay tuned as these exciting things unfold.

For now, like my Facebook page,  sign up for emails/newsletters, or send me an email to inquire about how I can work with you one-on-one.

Vision board - color prompt.

The next prompt for my vision board has to do with color. It's interesting to see what colors I am currently drawn to. When I look at this all together I think of big words.

Fire

Power

Vibrant

Bold

I also think about the contrast of the season we're in.  It is cold, snowy and grey here in New England and I look forward to the colors of spring and summer. Maybe this is a little reminder of what's to come.

Vision Board

I'm starting to do a vision board exercise except it's more book-like. Here's the title and first page.

 

Title can be read "Taste. Joy. Life's short." Or "Taste joy. Life's short."

First page was inspired by the word "light." By the time I was done with it, the word "shine" was taking over.

nourish. connect. First Post.

I am starting it. My blog for Nourish. Connect. Although the name  may change it is a starting place.  Excited about the possiilties.

A mug I saw recently.