There Will Be Growth In The Spring!!

Overgrown Garden
This Saturday I stuck my head out the back door into what has become a unchecked cacophony of free growth. Imagine that, Free Growth in my back yard. It is like the hippies are back  . . .  and they are growing things . . . I am not sure if I should call my Democrat or Republican representative.  I mean there must be a law against free growth!! We just can not have things growing willy-nilly anywhere they decide to put down roots.  Why, that is just un-natural!!

What? You say it is natural?  Well I do not like it!  I do not like it because . . . well . . .  it is just messy, that is why! All the mess and silliness aside, it was good to be back in my garden.  It always makes me feel like I have control over something (Ha!).  The best part of it all is that I got to see one of my favorite actors again, in a fantastic movie, all in preparation for this year’s planting season. (So I tell myself.)

Now mark my words, I have it from a very reliable source that there will be Growth in the Spring. This clip is one of my all time favorite scenes with Peter Sellers in the film Being There. Heck I believe him every time I watch it. It is the one thing that gets me off of my duff each winter. This time especially, he has given me real inspiration with his refreshing and optimistic statements.  So much inspiration that I attacked my back yard madness with brute force and began beating back the madness.

CrabgrassThe back half of my yard has always been covered with grass.  For the first few years of living here I diligently watered, fertilized, weeded and mowed my little portion suburbia.  It was lush, it was green and it soon became the place where the dogs went first thing in the morning.  After learning that lawn fertilizer might cause cancer in dog paws and watching my water bill skyrocket every summer I took a hands off approach to lawn maintenance.  In the ensuing years the pretty little Kentucky Bluegrass blades gave way to the hearty survivor species . . . Crabgrass.  In truth, after a good rain and a trim, it looked pretty back there.  Nice enough to sit by an open fire, enjoy a bottle of Malbec with some pan-fried brussel sprouts garnished with proscuitto and figs and pan deglazed with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup.

Lawn RemovedSo out it came, but not without a fight. I used a cool tool called a sod cutter to cut the grass right off of the soil. With the help of some handy men we removed all of the grass in a 50′ x 25′ section of the yard and set the cuttings aside to compost. Composting old lawn is not easy. It requires time and plastic.  I am not optimistic but in for a penny . . .
After the easy job of cutting and removing the sod I tucked into soil preparation with a vengeance and a roto-tiller.  As you can see by the accompanying  video I was a little unprepared for just how hard the clay soil is here where I live.  Now, I did wait a month after the last rain so the soil would not be soggy reasoning that it would be soft enough but not sticky.  I guess I underestimated the drainage potential of my crabgrass stricken acreage.  None-the-less I persevered, learned how to properly operate the roto-tiller and was able to sufficiently chew up the remaining square feet needed to place my new planting beds.

Boxes and dirtTen yards of Clodbuster soil, 24 – 2″ x 10″ x 8′ boards and a box of galvanized 16 penny nails later my new planting beds were taking shape. With the addition of six 8′ x 8′ beds I have increased my planting are by 75%.  I am not sure if I am crazy, excited or a little bit of both but I am looking forward to planting rows and rows of onions, carrots and celery.  Mire poix vegetables for those of you in the know. As well as garlic, strawberries (not in the same planter), and four different types of potatoes.

BackyardThere will be growth in the spring I can promise you that . . . and a little more work but I am so looking forward to the fruits of my labor.   Tomatoes are my favorite of all vegetables (technically a fruit but go with me here) with at least one bed will be dedicated to those magnificent Romas, and a sprinkling of heirlooms mixed in just for fun.

Now is a fantastic time to get out in your yard or on to your porch and get your garden started. Even if all you have is a 3′ x 3′ spot just outside your door that gets great sunlight I encourage you to start a tomato plant or two.  Pair that with another pot sprouting basil and you will have some amazing eats in just a few months. Go ahead I say, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.

Eat Well and Smile Often,

tj

p.s. Ah basil,  how I just love basil! and tomatoes, how I just love tomatoes! and mozzarella, how I just love mozzarella!

I May Be S.A.D.

Sad CatBut at least my shoes are not still warm!!

With the holidays over, the sun still in hiding and my garden overgrown I am experiencing some S.A.D.-ness. Seasonal Affect Disorder.  Yep, I am a bit sad.

I should not be.  I have a great girlfriend, plenty of work and a full head of hair.  For which I am Thankful (girlfriend), Thankful (work), Thankful (vainly so.)  By all measures in life (my big 3) I am comfortable and happy and yet this last 2 weeks I have felt . . . ho – hum.  I am not whining mind you but to be honest this feeling is leaving me a little uncomfortable.

Now local DJs Sarah & Vinnie on Alice Radio 97.3 here in San Francisco, recently had a show where they described the worst week of the year.  The holidays are over, your credit card bill comes in the mail, it is dark outside when you leave the house and dark when you get home, and the car is covered with ice every morning.  No wonder I am feeling off my mark. It is the worst time of the year!

Funny aside: When I was catering on Motion Picture sets,  shortly after I graduated culinary school, I commented to one of the teamsters how depressing it was working long hours, leaving the house before sunrise and returning after dark.  He replied,  “That’s nothing.  The worst is going to bed and waking up to find that your shoes are still warm.” Point made!

I share this because this S.A.D.-ness comes to me the same time every year and every year I have to do something big to shake it.   Take for example this picture of  my prized garden. Looking at this every day is not helping.

Dark Dead Garden

All dark and overgrown, like nobody loves it.  (You may insert your own sad face emoticon here if you like.)

So!  There is only one thing to do:Tear it all out and start again.

Please stay tuned for my next post coming the first week of February.  I will be tearing up the garden, building new raised beds and making a fun little hanging-out-space. Until then I hope you too are beating back the S.A.D.-ness.

Eat Well and Smile Often,

 

tj

 

p.s. You could never in a million years  have convinced me that putting on cold shoes is a good thing.  I guess you really do need to walk a mile . . .

Happy New Year!!

hat new yearsLet me wish you all a very happy 2013!!

2012 was another year of ups and downs, chock full of both personal and professional challenges.  I do not know about you but I am up to my ears tired with the silliness in Washington and our chug, chug, almost chugging economy.  I am satisfied with the deal our elected representatives made albeit not a perfect one from any standpoint.  Still an effort of compromise was made on both sides and that is how adults get along.

That being said I am thankful to you all for taking the time to read my little blog. Your support is giving me continued inspiration to make, bake and serve many dishes I have wanted to try over the years. My biggest fan Suzanne has been my inspiration and partner in crime for many of these experiments and I want to especially thank her and look forward to many more near food fights with her in the kitchen.

May the New Year bring you all that you need and wish for!!

Eat Well and Smile Often,

tj

p.s.  Time to start planning your spring garden.  What will it be this year??