A Time to Plant

Posted on by theexileskitchen by Amanda Ellison Anglin

It’s still a little early to put plants in the ground.  The seedlings bought yesterday need a few more weeks before going into raised beds. The sunny bench in the potting shed is now loaded with hope for a full potager garden.

The mayhaw is blooming now.
Lots of sweet banana peppers.
Three kinds of mint including variegated pineapple mint.
Tiny, tiny Creole tomatoes.

Three kinds of mint, two kinds of peppers, Creole tomatoes and cilantro were potted up. I’ll add sweet basil and more chives to the collection.

And the faithful mayhaw is blooming, as are the Methley plums planted a year ago and the blueberries. (I’m hoping the rabbits will leave the berries alone this year…) Two more plum trees, one more blueberry bush, two new pears and a loquat will be added to the orchard. I’m excited!

It’s almost time for Ecclesiasties 3: 2; the part about planting.

Blessings from the Exile’s Kitchen. 

February Is A Long Month

Posted on by theexileskitchen by Amanda Ellison Anglin

I’ve had a potting shed built in the back garden. It houses the well and has room to store garden tools. Along the south wall, antique windows are mounted to let in the light. Under the windows is an L-shaped work space. At the end of the work space, in the corner, stands a sink. The porcelain sink had been in the barn collecting leaves; the base is, an old Singer sewing machine that long ago had been my great grandmother’s. I learned to sew using the treadle sewing machine. My daddy taught me how to use it.

I could gleefully go from December 26th straight to March 1st. I don’t like winter. January eeks by. And though it’s the shortest in days, February is a long month.

Itching for spring, I potted up a few zinnia and bishop flower seeds. It’s a windy, warm day today, but rain is coming later tonight, and the temperature will drop back down to finish the month out cold.

February is my birthday month. It’s a big one this year: 60. I admit that I’m not handling it very well. Then I think about my daddy. He died young, age 47, five days after my 16th birthday. That sad anniversary date is another reason February drags on. My daddy never got to be old. He missed so much, and I miss him so much.

Inside the potting shed
The sun comes in pretty.
The sink will come in handy this spring and summer.

February Blessings from the Exile’s Kitchen.