40 days and 40 nights!! just waiting!

Yard is still flooded, especially after the RAINS the last two months, but progress on the Ark has definitely been good. It is built, and just gathering two of each kind, the squirrels seem to be running the joint, and where do I find a pair of elephants in Michigan! Hoping next week to get some gardening going!

The Tests are IN!!

Tested the soil with RapiTest Soil tester. Results don't look all that good! Think I have some pretty SICKLY soil! Just look at this!

PH:  (GREEN) is low to neutral, also tested with pH probe.

Potassium (ORANGE): May be ok, or a little low

Nitrogen (PURPLE): REALLY LOW!! NON-EXISTENT!

Phosphorous (BLUE): Like Nitrogen REALLY LOW!!!

We are getting new soil next weekend to put in the beds! I will test this as well!

What to plant?

Also, been thinking about what does an endurance athlete want to grow? Potatoes? Squash? Love them both....but what else??? Stacy!!! Help!!

Yikes!! Build an Ark!!

Well, went out to the garden to some prepping and it was totally under water!! No wonder this area has no nutrients. I am going to move the beds to a better area. One of the problems with our yard is that it used to be a cornfield, before something we call "crop rotation"! The best I can do is find a place that doesn't flood and get some new soil! My neighbor has the most luscious of gardents! Huge!!! He says it is all because of the manure :-)

Questions and comments from Coach Stacy about getting started

I just got this message from Coach Stacy, and I thought I would share it here on the blog!

1. How many people are you planning on feeding? Six beds is a lot. You could always donate some produce if you're interested in that. Let me know, then we can move on to soil testing and the amendment process. Remember, you won't be able to plant outdoors until Mother's Day-ish anyway.

2. Regarding the "menu", I recommend choosing as many items from the ANDI superfoods list as possible (this is a wonderful way to fuel running). Check it out here:

ANDI superfoods

You should throw in some herbs, too. How about you start making a list of what you would like to grow, and then I will teach you how to organize the edibles in the beds.

3. After we have the plan for the beds, I can help you with the best plants should be purchased as seedlings and a few plants that are easy to start from seed...that way you can start a few indoors but it won't be high maintenance or overwhelming.