Time to get serious about this blogging thing!

Stop by, we'll be typing up new stories soon :-)

http://destinysgardenherbs.blogspot.com

Whew! Its a balmy 31 degrees right now. This is spectacular in comparison to the -45 frigid air we experienced last week, and we actually enjoyed some time stomping in the snow this afternoon. In an attempt to be more space-efficient, we even measured the garden plots so we can make accurate (and hopeful) plans as to how much of this and that to plant. Heck, we might even stick to the plans!

I was looking through photos from last year and smiled when I saw this...

Ahhhhh, 2014 was a rough year here in Iowa! Cold, long spring; early cold winter. Not much of a growing season I'm afraid. Still, we managed to eke out some marvelous produce and shared our time with a few fantastic helpers. Thanks to Jess, Brooke and Jacob, Michael, and Andrew, our gardens and farm grew with fewer weeds and more love. We just *love* our helpers!

To usher in 2015 we've decided to ignore the once again frigid cold and pore over a multitude of seed and plan...

Wouldya lookit that! The thermometer doesn't even GO that low! Here in Iowa we are hunkered down with space heaters that are helping our furnace keep up with the arctic blasts & windchills, plastic and blankets over doors and windows, and frozen pipes are sure keeping us hopping. I believe someone said that even our HIGH temperatures are record LOW temps for this time of year.

But I got a seed catalog in the mail on Saturday. That's two now, and they're my two favorites.  I ha...

 We all know the weather outside is frightful, right? I often wonder how to make it through the winter months without losing my mind. My green thumb starts itching, my seed catalogs get dog-eared pages, mountains of envelopes full of seeds from all corners of the country pile up everywhere, as I sit none too patiently staring at the silver-white landscape outside my windows.

 There is a tattered sketch pad buried in the pile of seeds and catalogs where my dreams come to life ...

We are very excited to announce that we will begin a weekly trip to the Noelridge Park Farmers Market to share our garden goodies! If all goes well we plan to be there on the 27th of July with a nice assortment of herbs (and info on how to use them), freshly baked breads in meal-sized loaves (no waste!), heirloom veggies, edible blossoms and a few fun surprises. Try our "Scarborough Fair" bundles for seasoning poultry, great for the grill, crock pot or -- if you dare in this heat -- oven. Get...

What a glorious spring! We have expanded the main garden another 10X30 feet and are working on relocating lilies & chives. The herbs thus far planted/re-established are chives, lemon balm, summer savory, rosemary, lavender, oregano, opal basil, sweet basil, Italian parsley, cilantro, thyme and even some stevia! The bunnies helped themselves to several of the heirloom tomato plants, most of the multi-colored sweet peppers and all of our eggplant, but with the season being as early as it ha...

Spring made an early entrance into Destiny's Garden this year, and we are thrilled! The chives are ready to be delivered, chocolate mint is almost ready for first harvest and our first new raised bed (for peas & salad greens) is nearly complete. Many tiny plants are reaching upward to the sun and others are still in their safe little flats waiting to be planted. Now it's time to start marketing our wares to local eateries -- places who want nothing but the best for their patrons: Organica...

We are getting ready to start our seedlings! On our list so far this year are filet beans, oceans of basil, fernleaf dill, radicchio, swiss chard, heirloom tomatoes, scarlet runner beans, fresh black beans (oh, we're bean-y this year!), Genovese squash, edible blossoms galore (including squash blossoms), a little round, mild & sweet Crystal Apple cucumber -- even some loofah just for fun! That's just the beginning, and as always -- please contact us if there is something you'd like us to ...

There is a lot in the works for Destiny's Garden in 2012. Raised beds for the heirloom veggies, more garden space, new raspberry canes (red and black), herbal infused vinegars, herb jams & jellies, a few little "tea parties" to share garden stories & teach about the many uses of herbs and workshops on making herbal vinegars or backyard gardens for fun & profit -- urban farming at its finest!