Check out what arrived this week…
2.5 cubic yards of triple mix soil for the veggie garden. :) Thrilling, I know.
After weeks of looking at different types of soils, I went with a triple mix from Van Beek’s. It’s made from composted manure, black loam, and sandy topsoil. I couldn’t find ‘certified’ organic anywhere, but the owner said it is organic and assured me that they do not add any chemicals or fertilizers to it. That will have to do!
We used this soil calculator to determine how much soil we needed:
Take the Length (ft) of the area to be covered x Width (ft) x Depth (inches) divided by 12, then again divided by 27 and you have your cubic measurement!
For two 4 foot by 8 foot beds, I calculated our soil need to be about 2.37 cubic yards, so we ordered 2.5.
[We used this step by step tutorial to build the beds.]
When we filled up the beds it was raining (of course!) and shoveling the soil was like shoveling bricks. What a workout! At least I know that the soil is nice and moist for planting. :)
The rain sure has made our lawn green though!
I’m going to the nursery tonight to check out the new organic plants that just came in and figure out what I need to buy. So far, I have sketched out a rough plan for both of the beds using this Companion Planting info to guide me. I’m trying to plant veggies with their companion plants, figure out specific spacing/planting requirements, and also how many of each plant I will need.
I also put a compost bin and gardening tools on my Birthday list. How cool am I? :)
Meet: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cereal– a new breakfast and snack infatuation.
In the cookie bowl: Nature’s Path Spelt cereal, chopped banana, 1 tsp chia seeds, 8-10 mini Chocolate chip cookie dough balls, and non-dairy milk.
It tastes like you are eating a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough for breakfast!
Another breakfast I’ve been rocking this week…The Mango Banana Green Monster.
I recently discovered that President’s Choice sells frozen mango chunks. I haven’t had the best experience with some frozen fruit mixes, but this frozen mango is super fresh and sweet. You can nibble on it straight from the bag. :) It is great to keep in the freezer for quick and easy smoothies.
This week’s favourite mix: 1 cup frozen kale, 1 ripe banana, 1/2-2/3 cup frozen mango chunks, 1.25 cup almond milk, 1/2 scoop wheatgrass powder, 1 tbsp chia seeds.
So refreshing. :)
Have a wonderful Friday!
“We are all functioning at a small fraction of our capacity to live fully in its total meaning of loving, caring, creating and adventuring. Consequently, the actualizing of our potential can become the most exciting adventure of our lifetime.” – Herbert Ottto
YUM YUM YUM!!! I love your smoothie recipe!!! Where do you get the Wheat grass powder?
Your breakfast sounds INCREDIBLE!!! :)
The wheatgrass powder is from amazing grass :)
http://www.amazinggrass.com/organic-wheat-grass-powder.html
It does NOT taste good by any means, but you can mask the taste in a smoothie.
Ok. Thanks! :)
funnny! I thought you’d love the taste. I actually love it! :P I guess the nutrition is a great motivator anyway
Oooh yum everything looks delicious this morning! Well, except the soil I suppose, but that is exciting too! I was at Costco on the weekend and found that they have big Kirkland bags of frozen fruit, including mangos, for a pretty reasonable price. I might have to get a couple of bags next time. I can’t believe how all-out you guys are going with these flower beds – they look great!! I hope you have a lovely day Ange!
Can’t wait to see the veggie garden in a couple months at full effect!!
Where do you buy the frozen kale?
I got it at Superstore in the natural food section :)
Oooh, I love the idea of bite-sized cookie dough snacks! I could taken them anywhere and happily munch away! :)
Chocolate chip cookie dough = breakfast of champions!
What perfect breakfast! Now all I need is food professor to make those cookie dough balls :D
I want to have that for breakfast — ok any meal of the day will do.
I love anything with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough–in fact, I’m eating some of the raw stuff (it comes in a cute container) on a piece of banana right now!
You should also ask for a rain barrel for your birthday if you haven’t already! ;)
ummm why wasn’t this my breakfast?!
I love the PC frozen fruits, they’re very good and mango is a staple in my freezer! Also if you brave Costco they have really large bags of frozen mango for about $10 that’s just as good as the PC but cheaper. I just always have to bug a friend with a membership :P
thanks for the tip!
PC’s frozen mango is AWESOME in smoothies! Just remember to make sure they are blended well. :-)
Steph – great tip on Costco for frozen fruits. We use their triple berry mix and it’s at a great price (even more so when it goes on sale). ;-)
your beds look great….. all ready to go :)
I have a very small veg patch and so planted out my sweetcorn plants and rhubarb plant earlier…. the rest – Tomatoes, cucumber, chillies, lettuce, mint, coriander(cilantro), peppers, strawberries, I grow in grow bags or pots…. gonna build some beds too next year I think… xx
This is DEFINITELY my kind of breakfast :-)
Ohmigawd – cookie dough for breakfast?! That looks sooooo good! I’m going to make some chocolate cookie balls today.
The garden is looking great!
Holy crack-ola – that looks phenomenal…the dough balls! Thanks for the recommendation re: the mango…anything that’s good ‘from the bag’ ;)
Seriously. You are SO inspiring. Thank you for doing what you do! You ROCK!
Will you be posting your garden plan? I love to see how other people plan out their gardens!
Yes I hope to once it is finalized :)
Great work on the veggie garden…I’m trying to figure out the logistics of building my own on my condo balcony(first time)…how deep do you think I should make to planter to get anything other then herbs growing??
This is only my husband’s dream come true! And now that I think about it, mine too ;)