NOT IN MY GARDEN!!!

Ok, mass agriculture is gonna tell ya there's no better way.  But, I can't help but worry that too much of this over use of chemicals is causing some long term problems...  I may be just a bear, but theres no way this stuff doesn't somehow end up in the food we eat.  Genetically Modified???  "Round-up ready?"  And, what do all of these chemicals do to our water?

I know the small family farm has been slowly disappearing, but now its really in danger of becoming like the dinosaurs.  We need to start a new trend...    Just a thought.  Blu Bear

Free Electricity!

This is a picture of a neighbors home a few blocks away.  Of course, our "blocks" are one mile long.   A wind mill this big can provide more than enough power to keep the pond aerated (Helps keep the water clean and perfect for stocking with fish).  It also can power the house and barn as well.  Just imagine what it would be like to actually sell power back to the electric company!  Ohio may not have the sunniest weather in the country, but out here on the farm, the wind has little to slow it down.  Many people are using both the sun and the wind to generate hot water and electricity.  Although I doubt you'd ever see wind mills used in the city much, as more and more people do, the cost of installing such systems will go down.  Less pollution is not only good for people, but it really helps the crops as well.

The Onions are finally planted!

This year, I've planted 3 varieties of onion plants. Walla Walla, Texas Sweet, and Candy. (the one in the picture)  I'm just not sure if a couple hundred plants is enough...hmmm.  What do you think?  Let me know.  Oh, by the way...I now have a face book page.  So don't forget to "like" me.  Thanks...Blu Bear

Blu Bears Blueberry Muffins

If you've ever eaten warm from the oven, blueberry muffins...then ya gotta try this recipe!  But don't fret, you can ALMOST from scratch fake it, when needed.  (Use a brand of mix...I like Martha White...and push 4 or 5 frozen blueberries on the top of each muffin...then sprinkle with sugar...yum!  I always use frozen berries so they don't over cook and turn into jam.)  Now for "from scratch"...

2 teaspoons baking powder
1 & 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
2 sml eggs or 1 large egg
1/3 cup whole milk
1 cup frozen blue berries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line muffin tin, or wipe with crisco and dust w/ flour.  Mix batter and fold in 1/2 of your blueberrys.  Top muffins with remaining berries, slightly pushing them into batter.  Dust with sugar or sugar mixed with cinnamon.  Bake till golden brown (about 20 min.)  The Kitchen will smell great...just don't use the smoke detector as your timer!  Save one for me! Blu Bear

Strawberry wants this rose!

Sure...Mama Bear got this plant for her valentine, but do you think she'll notice if I give my gal Strawberry one?  After all, its hard to be mad at a stuffed animal! Blu Bear

Chicken Update...

Wow!!! At the rate these gals are growing they'll be almost as big as I am by summer!  The chickens in the top photo are called "bantys" and they are miniatures .  That group is a mix of boys and girls.  The ones in the bottom photo are "reds" and they are all hens.  Gotta have my eggs for my baked yummies. Blu Bear

The plants are ready...

Trays of tomato and pepper plants await the warm weather to finally set in!  My first plant give away  is set to start soon.   My hope is that people that use the local food banks will be able to grow a few plants of their own...with just a little help from a stuffed blue bear.  I also plan to offer a few extra "free" plants to people who pledge to give their bounty to local people in need. I'm gonna call it "Helping Claws"   Blu Bear

Traffic Report

O.K.........I guess when you live on a farm, this going down the road is normal.  But I'll bet you've never tried to pass one!  This machine takes up both lanes on our country road.! 

I've been trying to figure out how to get "Helping Claws"  to help more people.  As you may have read earlier, Blu Bears Garden wants everyone that can to grow an extra few plant  s to share.  There must be a way to organize what needs to be grown, and match it with what needs food banks and "cooked meals" programs have.  Another concern is getting fresh produce out as soon as possible.  I've got a bunch of ideas, but really need your help too!  So, how 'bout it?  Any ideas???  Blu Bear.

IT REALLY is SPRING!

Talk about a good sign....Wild Asparagus is popping up along my drain canal.  And, speaking of asparagus, there is also a purple variety!  Whats next?  Maybe a blue apple!

On another topic, soon  I will be changing formats to display the pictures as a bulletin board.  This will make it easier to view the time lapse of plants from seedling to full grown.  Also, as the seasons change, there will be recipes posted for everything we grow in my garden.  Hopefully you will take photos and share recipes to post as well.  With over 200 weekly readers and growing , there should be some great stuff out there!  And please, sign in and add your comments as well.   -  Blu Bear

PINK BLUE BERRIES???

Sure it sounds strange, but this weekend we put in a new blueberry variety called "Pink Lemonade" .  Since blueberry plants normally need to be planted next to a different variety to make it fruit, I also put in a blue, blueberry called "Patriot".  Honestly, has anyone you know ever eaten a pink blueberry???  I'd love to hear from you.  Maybe you planted a bush last spring and are going crazy waiting to try one.  Talk about a strange looking pie!  Also, if you want to grow blue berries, don't forget that they love acidic soil.  Also,  use peat moss when you plant it.  Since I'm a little on the short side as bears go, I want one to grow in a pot on my deck.  But, this variety isn't yet available for containers.  In fact, it can grow to be 5 feet tall and just as wide.  I'd need a much bigger deck...and a very large pot.
  Papa Bear plans to try a "graft" with a Top Hat blueberry plant, so a container variety may be made available in a couple years.  I'll keep you posted as to how it goes....You can bet your muffin recipe that it'll make for some strange pictures!

 
 

Chickens.....no joke!

These are a few of our chickens from last year.  They actually now live at the farm across the road!!!  The new arrivals are shown below.  Talk about a chance for a bear to make chicken jokes.  How bout it folks..."heard any good chicken jokes lately?"

Hey...Did I mention chickens?

Ok, the plants are just dreaming of getting out in the warm sunshine, but they'll just have to wait a little longer.  How are your plants doing?  Aww....come on....don't tell me you haven't had the urge to plant a few seeds.   Unlike the baby chicks you see above.... (new arrivals) plants are just a bit easier to take care of.  Of course chickens do lay eggs....but they can't grow egg plant!

FINALLY....GETTING THE GARDEN READY!!!

Can you imagine if a poor little bear had to till this mess by paw?  My thanks to Larry Gerkin pictured in the big tractor above for making this years garden ready to grow!!!

This year will also be a good one to grow green beans, yellow wax and of course a few blu bears other favorites.  It might not look like much now, but this area will feed quite a few hungry people.

Transplanting Tiny Tim Tomato

This is a peat pot that can be planted directly into the ground.  But, I've added a wick so I can place it in a plastic cup and allow it to self water.

Hey...whats a picture of "teddy bear" doing here???

I know it says "container gardening"  but somehow that cat of mine had to sneak into the story!!!  Teddy is climbing the tree.  He blends in so well, its hard to tell where the cat starts and the tree stops.
Blu Bear

"Self Watering Container Gardens"

Alot of companies are now selling patio planter boxes.........they work great, but they are so easy to build, that you should try to make one yourself!  Any container...even a 5 gallon bucket can grow great plants.  The difference is the drain holes.  Instead of letting the excess water drain out on the deck, you keep it in "storage".  I will post photos of how to make your own this week.  And, show you how all my plants are doing.