Claude Moore Colonial Farm Summer Market Fair. July 19-20th 2014.

This time of year it's so hard. There are just TOO MANY cool things to do.

I can't believe it's time for "Claude Moore Colonial Farm's Colonial Summer Market Fair" already.

We have been to two Market Fairs over the last few years and it is hands-down my favorite event in Northern Virginia.

The volunteers do a phenomenal job with authenticity and food (and beer) is top-notched. They have killer meat-pies and veggie-pies, baked olives, roasted chicken among other things. 

There is plenty too do, but it's not too overwhelming to go with small children (like the Ren Festival). They always have a Kids Area with a few interesting activities. 

Everything is very reasonable and the site is quite lovely.

Claude Moore Farm has three Market Fairs a year. Their Summer Market will be July 19-20th from 11 am - 4:30 pm.

Tickets are $7 for Adults and $3 for Kids.

More information can be found here.

Here are a few photos from the Autumn Market Fair that I never got around to posting.

These two were my favorite from the day.

Growing Microgreens Outside

We have been eating TONS of Microgreen Salads, over the last few weeks. It's so easy and very kid-friendly.

I received a wonderful "Microgreen Kit" from my parents, two Christmases ago. I had dreams of growing lots of Microgreens indoors during the Winter. I had one successful crop and then several bombs. I gave up and my seeds just sat there for awhile.

At the end of April, I decided to see if the seeds were still good.

Guess what? They are and we've been enjoying Microgreen Salads, ever since.

Arugula, Sango Radishes, Red Cabbage, Turnips, Mustard Greens, Kale, Broccoli.

So, so good.

The Radish Greens grow incredibly fast. We can harvest them in week. The others have been harvested anywhere between 10-20 days.

Throw at least 2 inches of potting soil in a container or pot, sprinkle a few pinches of seeds, water (or mist), put in some Sun and you are good.

Simple enough for a 3-year-old.

Seriously, my 3-year-old LOVES sprinkling the seeds and watering them.

To harvest, I pull out the plants and use scissor to snip off the bottom part of the stem (and all the soil that is pulled up with the root).

I wash in a salad-spinner, add some high-end Olive Oil, a pinch of Sea Salt and Shaved Parmesan Cheese.

It's incredibly tasty.

From container to my mouth in less than 10 minutes.

You can't beat it.

Here is an article from WebMD discussing a recent study that showed that Microgreens have up to 40 times the nutritional value than mature plants.

How amazing is that?

If you are interested, my kit was purchased from the Growing Microgreens website (a Living Whole Foods Company). Their seeds are non-GMO. I will definitely be buying more seeds from them, when I am finished with the packs I have now.

Enjoy!

Baltimore Herb Festival. 2014.

It is that time of the year. Tons and tons of Plant Sales are happening every Weekend.

The absolutely BEST Plant Sale I have ever been to is the Baltimore Herb Festival.

It is a massive event held at Leakin Park with oodles of vendors selling all sorts of plants, including some hard to find Herbs. Last time I went, I came back with at least 25 different herbs ...

"Comfrey", "Mugwort", "Meadowsweet", "Lady's Mantle", "Feverfew", "Boneset", "Calendula", "Tulsi", "Lemon Balm", "Echinacea", "Pennyroyal", "African-blue Basil" and "Marshmallow"...to name a few.

If you live in the area and are curious about Gardening or Herbalism, check out the "Baltimore Herb Festival." Just make sure you bring a wagon or wheelbarrow to haul everything.

Mark your calendars, it is THIS Saturday, May 24 from 9:30 am - 3 pm.

The Simplicity Month. Gardening with Milk Crates.

I really want to grow some veggies this Summer. But, we are moving in June. What to do?

Container Gardening.

Most of our pots are already inhabited by some Herbs. Buying lots of pots can get expensive very quickly. So, I decided to use what we already have...

Milk Crates.

My Mother found 8 crates along side the road, last year. She gave them to us, but I hadn't found a really good use for them.

Enter Landscaping Fabric.

I bought a 50 foot roll that is suppose to last 15 years (so I can reuse the crates for several years). The Landscaping Fabric keeps all that precious soil INSIDE of the crate. 

I cut a large piece of the fabric for each crate and put it inside. Some people staple or sew the fabric around the crates. I was out of staples, so I didn't bother.

I had originally thought of drilling some holes in some extra tubs we have laying around. But, the crates completely eliminated the need to drill any holes for drainage. Wahoo...less work for me.

After I put the Landscaping Fabric in the crates, I filled each one with a mixture of Potting Soil and Compost. I bought the bags at the family-run Hardware Store, down the street. These are the bags I bought....

I mixed all the Potting Soil and Compost one of those blue tarps. Each time, I dumped half a bag of Potting Soil and half a bag of Compost and mixed in a 1/4 of the Lobster Compost.

I planted (from seed) Arugula, Radishes, Turnips, Cabbage and a Basic Salad Mix. The seeds were left over from our failed Microgreens Experiment.

I'll add some Tomato and Pepper plants soon.

I love the fact the crates have handles, so they will be easy to move to our new home. Crossing my fingers that this works!

I'll keep you updated.

Cost

Crates. Free.

Landscaping Fabric. $11 for 50 feet.

2 Bags of Potting Soil, 2 Bags of Compost and 1 Bag of Lobster Compost. $40.

Seeds. Free.

National Arboretum.

I've been wanting to visit the National Arboretum for at least two years. 

On Friday, we finally made it.

Our Family has been a "One-Car Family" for about 4 months now (which has been a relatively easy transition). But, it means that trips with the girls have only been happening on the Weekends. 

With the weather turning nicer, I decided it was time to venture past our neighborhood

I dropped off Papa Bear at work and bit the bullet and drove into D.C.. I am notorious for getting flustered and lost, while driving in D.C..

So, I wasn't surprised when it took an extra 40 minutes for me to find the place.

It's HUGE.

We had a nice time despite the mile walk to and from the parking lot. And, the baby missing her morning nap, and the 3 year-old pooping in her underwear and the overly-tired baby screaming during most of the walk back.

It was fun, I promise. 

The Capital Columns were beautiful and both girls had a blast exploring them.

We were only able to explore a very tiny part of the grounds.

There is a large Herb Garden that I can't wait to see. But, I think I'll either go by myself or wait until the girls are a little older.

There is A LOT of walking (unless you can figure out the Tram Schedule).

The United States National Arboretum is a wonderful local resource. They have numerous workshops and an amazing Plant Sale (that actually started on Friday). There are tons of Bonsai Trees and Azaleas. And, even a Full Moon Hike.

It's a photographer's Dream.

Here a few of my favorites...

River Farm's Spring Garden Market. April 10-12, 2014.

River Farm is one of my favorite local spots. It is the headquarters for the American Horticultural Society and has the most inspirational Children's Garden I have ever seen.

This Thursday will be the start of their annual Spring Garden Market. Tons of plants, seeds, garden accessories, etc... will all be on sale.

Master Gardeners will also be available to answer any questions.

If you have been bitten by the Gardening Bug and live in the area, you definitely will want to check it out.

Cost to park is $5 for those non-AHS members.


Thurday. 3 pm- 7 pm AHS Members only.

Friday. 9 am- 6 pm. Open to the Public.

Saturday. 9 am- 4 pm.



You can find out more details right here.

I have written about River Farm before here, here and here.

Snow Jewels.

It's still snowing. When it stops, we'll try these puppies out.

Giant Snow Jewels.

They look much prettier in real life. Can't wait to see what Nye-Nye's reaction will be to them.

Making them was easy. I just filled up balloons with water and some food dye and then put them in the freezer.

I put them in over-night, but you only need 5 or 6 hours for them to freeze.

Then, all that is left to do is cut a small hole in the balloon and peel it off.

And, enjoy!

Here are some Tips (I learned the hard way)...

1. Put food dye in FIRST. I attempted to fill up the 11 inch balloons with water, before I put in the dye. The water just sprayed about and the balloon deflated.

2. Use a bathroom faucet to fill them. It's been way too long, since I've made water balloons. You need to make a seal and my kitchen faucet just wasn't cutting it.

3. Remember they will freeze however you lay them down. Whoops...space is at a premium in our freezer, so I squeezed two of them in an awkward spot. When they were frozen, I couldn't get them out. Papa Bear had to work really hard to yank them out of the door shelf.

4. Be careful peeling over the balloons, your hands will get messy. The food dye dyed my hands, which wasn't a big deal. But, if it is for you, I should recommend you wear gloves.

I was inspired by the wonderful Growing a Jeweled Rose's Post on Snow Jewels. 

Looking forward to putting them into action!

Turning Your Front Yard Into A Garden.

I got Dreams.

Glorious Garden Dreams in the middle of the Winter.

Sigh.

I have been pouring over photos from the lovely book I received for Christmas. "Edible Landscaping With a Permaculture Twist: How To Have Your Yard and Eat It Too."

Michael Judd is a local boy (from Frederick County) who spent many years in Mexico and Nicaragua learning  about and experimenting with Permaculture. He is a genius at turning Yards into low-maintenance Gardens and Orchards. No weeding, no watering (except for in the beginning). Seriously, why Garden any other way?

He's transformed the Gardens at Volt.

You may have heard of that place.

I listened to him speak at the Holistic Family Health Conference in Frederick, last Spring. He's a dynamic speaker. When he mentioned an upcoming book, I was thrilled.

The book didn't disappoint.

Gorgeous photos. Clear directions. And, brilliant ideas.

I am all about digging up that grass and planting useful and beautiful plants.

Even though, I was familiar with a lot of what was in the book, it was great to see more examples of "Herbal Spirals," learn about growing Mushrooms and be given so much information of Uncommon Fruits that grow well in this region.

Judd's section on Rainwater Harvesting, Swales and Rain Gardens may completely change your relationship with your Yard.

I had never heard of a "Hugelkultur" (which is a shame because it's a terrific concept and would have been helpful to know about when my Sister had all these fallen down trees in her Yard).

If you are in Maryland or Northern Virginia, you are in luck. He does 1 1/2 hr-2hr consultations starting at $175 (depending on where you are located). His schedule fills up fast, but now is the perfect time to have him come out and brainstorm with you on how to transform your Yard into a beautiful, edible Landscape.

Early Mother's Day present? Or maybe forget that fancy bouquet and expensive dinner this Valentine's Day? Hmmmm....

We will be moving from one rental house to another this Summer, so planting much is out of the question. But, there are always Mushrooms...

What We are Reading During The Snow

Snow, snow, snow. We have been experiencing a bit of it here in Northern Virginia.

I thought I share one of the books I've been reading to Nye, over the last few weeks. It's a charming book, about a child and all the clothes required to go play outside in the Snow.

It's nice for a Pre-reader because there are some illustrations that are substituted for words. It's terrific for reading along with your child. I particularly like the sequence in the Mudroom. It reminds me of the house I grew up in.

And, here are some photos from the Snow before this one. Kids playing in the Snow....nothing like it!