A view from my deck

CONTAINER GARDENS .a rose by any other name...

This is a potted rose that I cut back and stored in its container for over-wintering.  It was given no water, and was kept in the well house in complete darkness.  It didn't take long for it to spring to life with a little water and sunshine.

Look at it after only 10 days out doors.  I still try to bring it in doors if there is a frost freeze warning...even if it probably wouldn't care.

WOW IT WORKS!!!

Click on the long version of the Flickr URL and select the slide show!

FLICKR PHOTOS

http://flic.Krlps/2aGhk9   or http://www.flickr.com/photos/blubearsgarden/

Blu Bears Garden: THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR HUNGER!

Blu Bears Garden: THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR HUNGER!: Gardening can be so much more that a hobby....Adding just a few extra plants to share with local food banks, meals on wheels programs, churc...

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR HUNGER!

Gardening can be so much more that a hobby....Adding just a few extra plants to share with local food banks, meals on wheels programs, church food baskets, etc.  can make a world of difference.  This year, Blu Bears Garden is adding onion plants.  Onion plants, are more developed than "sets"...and growing from seed is something to harvest the next year.  Many catalog companies offer plants as an option.  Sure, they are more expensive...around $10 for 65 "plants", but they will produce large full grown onions.   If you order varieties that are "long keepers"  they can be a great addition to your winter produce, with plenty to share.  An order of  one "bunch" of plants will take up less than 20 feet.  So if you have the space...grow some big giant sweet onions this year.  I'll be showing you photos of how our first test crop does in our Ohio clay soil.  If any one out there has had good luck with a particular variety please let me know!  Blu Bear

Brrrrr................O.K.  so much for our heat wave!!!    Freeze warning tonight, but thats normal this time of year.   The seedlings are doing great, and are ahead of schedule.  Photos of last years garden and the time machine updates will be on Flickr.  Also, for direct email, the address is Blubearyfarms@Gmail.com

I WOKE UP AND IT WAS SUMMER!

Yawn.... hey, what happened to spring?  82 in March!!!   I sure am glad I started a few seeds early this year.  O.K.  maybe more than a few.  128 bell peppers, 54 jalepeno, 18 early jalepeno, 26 numex, 90 roma tomato, 50 Tiny Tim, 34 large red cherry, 36 beef steak, 24 better boy, 18 habanero, 12 catnip, 12 cilantro, 12 sweet basil, 12 chives, 12 blue morning glory, 12 huckleberry....well, I guess a few seeds is a bit of an understatement.

The "TinyTim" tomato plants are ready to transplant into pots.  This is the one to grow for sale, gifts, or to put on your own window sill or patio.  The plant is considered a determinate...meaning it only gets so big and then stops growing.  With this tomato, the full grown size is about 12 inches!  Although I have seen someone take one I gave as a gift and make it grow much bigger.

Why so many plants???  Actually this is just the early start.  Blu Bears Garden is the length of a foot ball field.  But, I also grow plants to sell and to give away.  This year, besides providing produce and pumpkins to the local food banks, we want to offer plants as well.  You'd be surprised how much can be grown in a small area, or even in recycled containers.  When you grow a garden plant a couple extras so you too can join me in the fight against hunger.   Plants like green peppers are easy to grow, and the produce freezes well.  Winter squash can keep for months and can really fill the gap in a cold evening meal.  Well, get growing!!!  Blu Bear

APRIL 1ST OFFICIAL START DATE

Well, its taken some time, but I'm almost ready to get this blog up and running.  I've been told content is everything...but thats a problem...its the tech stuff!!!
Bears are really good at gardening.  You see, we like to watch stuff grow.   Hopefully you do to!

PHOTOS..................I really have alot of photos to post for you, but I only have 4 paws, and I'm a bit slow at this computer stuff.  

Blu Bears' Pumpkin Patch (named after me) grows many  specialty pumpkins & winter squash.  I actually have a BLUE AUSTRIALIAN pumpkin thats a down under favorite for baking, soups, and decorations.   If you like pumpkin pie,  (I love pumpkin pie!) and have the space, this one is for you.
I think I might be able to give away a few seeds, but I'll have to check with Papa Bear to see if we have enough for this years planting. 

"WORLDS SMALLEST TOMATO PLANT"

Tiny Tim tomato plants are a cherry tomato that you can easily grow in pots.  I started my seeds just last week, and they've already come up!  Hopefully I'll have some ready by Mothers Day.  They make great gifts, and if I'm lucky I'll even have a few to sell.  Alot of  things can be grown in pots...even if you don't have a giant garden like I do.  This year I'm growing "Top Hat" blueberrys on my patio!!! 

Blu berrys are my favorite.  They are really good in pan cakes and blueberry muffins.  And, if you don't feel like making them from scratch, a mix like "Martha White" can be tricked into thinking they are.  Just top each muffin with 4 frozen blueberrys and sprinkle with sugar before you bake them, and they'll taste almost as good as my from scratch ones.  The reason you want to you use frozen berrys, is that fresh ones can overcook.  And, bluberrys are easy to store in the freezer...just rinse fresh berrys, dry on a couple papper towels and pop them in a bag.  That way, you can always have my favorite ready and waiting.

I've got a great recipe for scratch muffins, and one for dinner rolls that I'll make sure to post for you soon.  Well, I've got to get to work planning my garden, and taking pictures of all my pals to show you latter.   I just wish I could get my dog Molly, and cat Teady Bear to hold still for me!  Your friend blu bear

Get ready, set, PLANT YOUR SEEDS!

I finally started my first tray of cherry tomato seeds.  Yep, spring is really almost here.  I might be a little bit early, but a few seeds in a paper cup is just a warm up.  Really, getting some potting, or seed starting soil, and picking out what seeds to buy is the big thing right now.  So expect to see some photos soon!  BLU BEAR