this moment

{this moment} - Joining Soule Mama, a Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

garden update ~mid May~

*warning* photo intensive!

Here is a glimpse of some of our garden progress this time of year. 

ornamental nettle & left over garlic sprouting 

apple tree blossoms

I have no idea what this is, but it's pretty every spring

The first potatoes are sprouting in the huge mound of decomposing mulch.

Our garden is invaded by weeds. Over a week of intense heat followed by cool rainy stormy windy days.

lemon bergamot 

mint 

lavender

fava flowers to open any day now

climbing peas

giant red mustard & some baby carrots coming up

kale nestled around onions (anti aphids!)

arugula, I nibble on it every time I am in the garden 

more favas & icicle radishes 

an artichoke that isn't suppose to be here! I will have to move it.

chinese cabbage

warming up a bed for peppers & melons

pumpkin transplants in a nest of grass clippings

garlic, beets, carrots, turnips and weeds! (were eating the nettles)

purple top turnips

rainbow carrots

tomatoes & basil nestled away from stormy cold weather

tomatoes and a row of onions

3 sisters guild, squash are in, corn hasn't come up yet 

strawberry flowers

mixed mustard greens, many are bolting

overwintered carrots & newly seeded carrot 

more favas, a different kind, a different bed

peas are climbing nicely  

scarlet runner beans climbing their sturdy poles

hakurei turnips

baby bok choi & random seeded poppies

spinach

overwintered swiss chard

yellow pole beans have come up

How is your garden growing? I'd love to see pictures! Feel free to link up your own garden update :)

tomato in a nest

* Continuing along with using weeds as mulch*

I couldn't resist. It was the first thought that came to my head after mulching our tomatoes with grass clippings. In our backyard we have A LOT of grass, and as we have no farm animals to eat any of it were using it as mulch before it goes to seed. When you buy hay for mulch it is essentially dried grass but it also contains weed seeds. I like to hand harvest the grass because there is less chance for it to pick up any other weeds from the ground. I used them around the transplanted tomato seedlings as mulch helps to retain water and reduces weed competition.

The grass clippings will change colour and decompose so you will have to keep adding layers throughout the summer, but hey, it's free so long as your willing to do the work! I've been watching Back to Eden and I've become VERY intrigued on using wood chips as mulch, which we usually just use for the paths. More to come on that!

Have you used weeds before as garden mulch? 

mother's day weekend

The 8 foot fencing arrived. A load of mulch. Finally some overcast for the garden. Brunch at a friends cabin. Weeding. Playing at the park with family. Seeding. Harvested the bolting greens. Made cream of wild Nettle soup. A walk in the woods with the dogs. A mother's day dinner of crepes, greens & bechamel sauce with roast potatoes.

How was your weekend?