Container Carrots

Last year I had a garden- not gigantic, but big- about 12 foot by 20 foot, maybe. It was hard work, I got blisters, and it didn't produce a lot, not nearly as much as I would have hoped, given all the effort I put into it. I've been considering what to do this year, how to make the soil better, so perhaps it will produce more. Considered horse manure plowed in, adding store bought dirt to my hard gravely mix, and tilling all that in. Then, of course, I have the issue of the deer. Deer love sweet little tender blossoms that are intended to turn into things like squash and tomatoes. And cucumbers. It was really, in retrospect, very disheartening.
 I've decided this year I am going to plant things in containers. I seem to be accumulating the buckets that 35 pounds of kitty litter come in, and I figured it was time to put them to good use. I'm going to only plant the things I really love, too: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and carrots. I may do a different sort of potato planting, also, but I'm just not sure about that investment yet.
I ran across and article about growing carrots in a container, and I wanted to make sure I don't lose track of things, so I am sharing it here, so I can come back to it when I need to!
This gentleman writes in an easy to read manner, and the only thing I feel I need to look into is the growing season in my area, since he writes from the UK.

"Pots, troughs, growing bags etc. are one of the answers to growing vegetables in your garden if you haven`t got the room for a large vegetable plot - like I haven`t. It is the ONLY answer if have a balcony and no garden... and great for the kids to grow there own in them too."

I plan on browsing more of his blog to see what other tips and hints I can gather, and I'll let you know. One thing that was already pointed out to me was to not forget to thin the young carrots as I go, to give them room to grow!
Extra: Just received this information in a note: "Carrots are possibly the best body cleanser provided for man. The Beta Carotene content in carrots are beneficial to the prevention of cataracts and cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and lungs. Raw carrots reduce blood cholesterol, while cooked carrots release more "carotene." Carrots are used in most cleansing diets for the liver, blood, and colon. Carrots taken whole or juiced are valuable for weight loss, blood cleansing, constipation, asthma, skin problems, poor teeth insomnia, high blood pressure, kidneys and bladder problems, colitis, eyesight, menstrual problems and is good for the skin!!!"
TO DO:

• look into growing season for carrots START NOW!!
• look into watering them- sugar water for increased sweetness, or is that just crazy talk? Crazy Talk!
  

Coming of age...

For some unknown reason, I waited until my forties to experience some things that you would imagine a child would have discovered. The first one was an ear infection about two years ago, twice actually, and I did manage to survive that, although it was pretty horrific. The latest nonsense I have been dealing with has been poison ivy. Now, I was a Girl Scout, and I am pretty familiar with outdoors things. I work outdoors, I shower within half an hour- better safe than sorry, right? Well, for some unknown reason, a week and two days ago, this normal progression of events didn't make a bit of difference. I knew on Wednesday that I was sunburned, and I tended to my skin, since I didn't want to be in pain and peel and all that fun stuff. I also bought sunblock, after the fact, but in preparation for the next go-round! Well, Thursday I woke up with a few little blisters on my inner arm...I went to my mom, the Queen of Poison Ivy, and got a diagnosis, and her stash of potions and sprays and ointments and soaps, went home and scrubbed. Sadly, a week later, I finally broke down and called the doctors office, got in to see the nurse practitioner, and he hooked me up with some Prednisone. He also said it was one of the worst cases he'd seen in a while. I was thrilled to hear that I did it SO WELL my first time out. HA. Today is day two after medical intervention, and I am getting better- no new blisters this evening, just a few this morning, but I do now have healing places on my skin. I also got some lye soap to wash with as I heal, and after I do any more yard work! Yes, color me paranoid...
Anyway, here is a link I found with plenty of pictures for you to be able to identify this horrid culprit, and avoid it as often as possible.
I wonder what childhood plague is next on my horizon?

How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

So this May 5th is a celebration here in the US not only for Mexicans, but also for those who consider it another drinking holiday, which of course is not how it started.
The other thing it is here in Portsmouth is the primary election for several things, most notably a judge and the Mayor. I am astounded by the lack of voter turnout at past local primary elections, and hope that perhaps the enthusiasm which was generated during the recent presidential election will carry over locally. Obviously, I have my preferences, but my biggest hope is that you do go out and vote. So many people do not feel like their vote counts, but I believe that you must be heard, you must participate. It is a privilege to be able to do so, and you should appreciate the right to do so. Please, exercise your right to be heard. Vote in your local elections!

There's something in the air out there...

I wish I would have thought to take a picture when I went out to my car today. (This guy remembered!) In poking around the interwebs, I found two sites that looked like they were good resources for checking out pollen and allergens. One was pollen.com and the other was from the Weather Channel.
I tell you what, it may be a PITA to buy some 30 mg hydrochloride tablets (showing ID, signing your intentions) but for me personally, it allows me to stay awake during the day without the watery eyes and sniffly nose...
It did rain, which will help settle the dust. I know it is far worse for people with real respiratory issues, and I do feel for them. It is just no fun for me, but if it were actually life threatening- well, I just can't believe this area would be the place to live, unless you could stay indoors!
I know the swine flu ( now being called H1N1 in some places) is pretty scary, also. Hopefully we can all navigate these issues, and be able to enjoy the weather and socializing again soon.
Be safe, wash your hands, and cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Hang in there, this too shall pass....

Political Activism 2009

I think I could have been a hippie in another life, staging sit ins and carrying a picket for a cause. These days, though, there's not much call for that, so instead I just encourage people to be informed, and vote. I also encourage people to shop locally, which may be a politically active thing to do.
The local primary is fast approaching, and I fear that the usual apathy will be in effect (affect?) and that nothing will really be accomplished. I'm not sure who all is running for Mayor, but I know who I am backing, and it is because she has made herself available to me in regards to her goals. I think it was the act of communication that won me, and her understanding that the problems here are not easily solved with just one approach.
Empowering women is near and dear to my heart, but I have yet to find an outlet for that energy. She wants to do something about prostitution here, and sounds like she would treat the causes, not just the symptoms and resulting issues. It's a cycle, of despair, poverty, desperation, frustration...hopefully she can help me find a way to make a difference...