Weekly Challenge Update

Independence Days Challenge Year 4, Week 25
This week: you will notice I added Try something new to the eat the food category and changed Waste not with Repair, Re-use, Recycle
Plant something- Some radishes, Malabar spinach; Started an Oyster mushroom kit, Planted two tomatoes- 1 Julia Child and 1 spoon,
Harvest something: Some peas, radishes, beets, kohl rabi, some broccoli leaves, Swiss chard ,beet and beet greens; Broccoli Yes after years of pain, I finally have grown a head of broccoli!
Preserve something: Dehydrated some sweet potatoes, (mainly as a dog treat, but use in soups also; Pickled some radishes w/ onion; pickled some strawberries! (Always wanted to try this); Made and froze some sugared strawberries.
Community: Contacted one of the local food banks about putting some Veggies in their flower beds for a fall crop. Awaiting a response.
Preparation: Bought a rail at Ikea and some little pot like containers that hang from it for making a window herb garden at kitchen window! Got serious in cutting down the blackberry canes around my shed
Eat the Food/try something new: Radishes; Roasted Beets, beet greens, steamed chard; peas, pickled strawberries,
Repair, Re-Use, Recycle- Repaired my "bush hog" put a new primer bulb on it, and repaired the blade guard (What's a bush hog?- Think of a gas powered Weed Eater with a saw blade instead of nylon line- my number one tool in cutting down blackberry canes)
Want not: Got some canning jars;

I grew a head of Broccoli!!! (Applause) If you have followed this blog for a time, you will know the battles I have had with demon broccoli; My years if toil in the soil are over... here is the proof:
Okay, not a giant head of broccoli but a head of broccoli none the less.

Weekly Challenge Update

Independence Days Challenge Year 4, Week 19







Plant something-
In the greenhouse: Some Chammomile seeds.

In the community garden plot: Tomato plants

Planted at home- Tomato plants, tomatillo, Fennel, lettuce, radish,

Harvest something: French sorrel, miner’s lettuce, radishes

Preserve something: nothing
Community: Gathered some Strawberry Plants from the front garden for the community garden.
Preparation: Made a bunch of seed tapes, DIY'ed a window box to plant herbs and window box roma tomatoes
Eat the food/eat something new: Salad with Sorrel, miners lettuce and Chinese cabbage from last week.
Waste not: Made up some seed tapes and planted.
Want not: Bought two kitchen cabinets from IKEA.

Well let's see- I planted all my tomato starts. And I built a window box for flowers, herbs and Window Box Roma tomatoes and a few tumblers.

Weekly Challenge Update

Independence Days Challenge Year 4, Week 18

Plant something-
In the greenhouse:

In the community garden plot:

Planted at home- Some lettuce, some peas, some beans, transplanted the miners lettuce from community garden to home (I found out it likes shade), radishes, beets, chives, chard

Harvest something: Harvested- chives, garlic scapes, some salad greens (mesclun mix), some sprouts, sage leaves and sage flowers, some lettuce

Preserve something: Dried some sage flowers and sage leaves

Community: went to my first farmer's market of the year. Found many of my favorite vendors had returned again this year, as well as some new ones!

Preparation: Installed a new frost proof Hose Bibb (spigot) in the back to water the porch garden.

Eat the food/eat something new: Chives and Garlic scapes in some Potato and Leek soup, salad greens, chives and sprouts in a salad
Waste not: Obtained 2 bench style cushions and 2 lawn chairs and a table from a guy at work... using one of the cushions for a dog bed in the rear of my car, and the other as a cushion on a bench (or another dog bed since Romeo takes his afternoon nap on the bench) and gave the lawn chairs and table for use in the community garden. also Some cool planter boxes from same guy at work- that are perfect for the Square Foot gardening method, And a garden tool rack!

Want not: bought some leeks, asparagus and radishes at the farmers market, and some fresh baked bagels, baked in tukwila (the next town over) with Washington state sourced wheat.

Home garden- Some lettuce, some peas, some beans, transplanted the miners lettuce from community garden to home (I found out it likes shade), radishes, beets, chives, chard

Harvested- chives, garlic scapes, some salad greens (mesclun mix), some sprouts, sage leaves and sage flowers, some lettuce

Preserve something: Dried some sage flowers

Some cool planter boxes from same guy at work- that are perfect for the Square Foot gardening method

Weekly Challenge Update

Independence Days Challenge Year 4, Week 17
Plant something-
In the greenhouse: Re-potted the Amaranth, the last of the tomato plants

In the community garden plot: Radishes


At home: Planted a second square of carrots for the Plant A Row program/challenge


Harvest something: Some lettuce, some Chinese cabbage, sorrel, miners lettuce
Preserve something:
Community: Very gratifying to see a lot of the Community Garden members come out to work at our first work party of 2011.
Preparation: Repaired two heavy duty extension cords, ordered the stuff to make my Solar Generator (finally!)
Eat the food/eat something new: just salad with lettuce, Chinese cabbage, sorrel, miners lettuce
Waste not: Repaired two outdoors extension cords, re-used a butt load of little plastic pots found in trash!
Want not: ordered the stuff to assemble my Solar Generator;


In the greenhouse: Re-potted the Amaranth, the last of the tomato plants
In the community garden plot: Radishes
At home:
Very gratifying to see a lot of the Community Garden members come out to work at our first work party of 2011. Dumb ass that I can be, I forgot to bring my camera.



Plant a Row for the Hungry- Planted a second square of carrots for the Plant A Row program/challenge

Swiss Chard, Kindle Covers and Freezing My Buns- the Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week41
1. Plant something: Started some Chard indoors
2. Harvest something: some greens from the green house
3. Preserve something: nope
4. Waste Not: Repaired my garden shears for another season of use, oiled my garden weasel as well; Replaced the old worn out draw string form my sweat pants with some elastic. I bought these sweat pants from the thrift store and 3 years later still wearing them for pj's. L.L. Bean makes good stuff!
5: Want not: Made a Kindle cover for my kindle using a small canvass bag, and another for a gift.
6. Preparation and Storage: Still working on shed between rain drops
7. Build Community Food Systems: Helped out TEDx and Beth Terry by using my blog to broadcast the Great Pacific Garbage Patch Seminar. Not really a Building community food systems thing, but without clean water there is no food, right?
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Mesclun greens on a sandwich

Growing Challenge Extreme Evangelist Edition- I started some Swiss Chard Indoors, and I harvested some mesclun greens from the green house

Freeze Your Buns Challenge- first week has gone pretty good- thanks to some warmer temps earlier in the week.

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, weeks 39, 40
1. Plant something: Planted some greens and chard seeds
2. Harvest something: some carrots
3. Preserve something: nope
4. Waste Not: One of my fellow gardeners gave me dome cilantro seeds as she was clearing out her plot
5: Want not: Ordered some much needed boots for winter, Received the Kindle I ordered from Amazon
6. Preparation and Storage: Checked out my Crank/Solar/Battery Radio, and got my emergency supplies together (propane heater, food supplies etc) in case of power outage, made sure the generator would start; still working on the shed
7. Build Community Food Systems: Donated some canned goods and pet food to local food drives
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Carrot Apple soup using some of my carrots

Growing Challenge Extreme Evangelist Edition- just planted some garlic, greens and chard seeds

Weekly Challenge Update

What a beautiful weekend here in the Seattle area! Slowed me down in some areas, but helped me out in others... Was going to finish constructing the shed for my bikes but I just had to take advantage of a rain free, work free weekend and clean the Community Garden plot and prune some fruit trees, which also gave me an idea for my one small change. More about that tomorrow!


Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 38
1. Plant something: Garlic
2. Harvest something: Last of the green tomatoes, beets, last of the summer chard, kohl rabi and carrots
3. Preserve something: Wondering if one could freeze green tomato slices- if not nothing
4. Waste Not: Saved the tomato cages from community garden for use next season
5: Want not: Bought a book on foraging at the local used book store
6. Preparation and Storage: Still constructing shed for bikes… Weather has been so good- I had to do some much needed yard work and clean the allotment at the Community Garden
7. Build Community Food Systems: Not really
8. Eat the food (cook something new):

Growing Challenge "Extreme Evangelist Edition"- Cleaned the community garden bed; considering moving the green house to front yard - less light but better location

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 36
1. Plant something: Nope
2. Harvest something: Green peppers, beets, bok choy, last of the cucumbers
3. Preserve something: Froze some green peppers
4. Waste Not: Found a wooden nail keg in a dumpster that I will make a table out of
5: Want not: Bought two cookbooks at the new used book store in Burien, Bumbershoot Books
6. Preparation and Storage: Started clearing out the garage before I see it on Hoarders, and to prepare for the new freezer! Also bought a 4' X 10' Shed to keeps bikes and bike trailers in.
7. Build Community Food Systems: Nope
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Bok Choy salad, bok choy and green peppers in stir fry

Growing Challenge "Extreme Evangelist Edition"- Not much to report. Getting community bed ready for fall

Weekly Challenge Update- Oktoberfest edition

This last weekend was Oktoberfest in Burien- complete with carnival rides, food vendors, street fair, ubiquitous beer garden and live music. Had great weather yesterday, a few showers today.

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 35
1. Plant something: nothing
2. Harvest something: Last of the peppers, cucumbers
3. Preserve something: Dehydrating the last of the peppers
4. Waste Not: Found a metal box- can use as a tool box for my glue guns; replaced the lid on my work coffee mug with a lid from another mug.
5: Want not: bought some drill bits.
6. Preparation and Storage: nothing
7. Build Community Food Systems: Not exactly a food system, but took mom’s recycling and put in my bin (her apartment doesn’t offer recycling)
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Made some fried bread. Never made before. It is Great. No more waiting for a year for oktoberfest for elephant ears. LOL.

Growing Challenge "Extreme Evangelist Edition"- Starting to clean out my pots and such. Starting to prep the community garden spot for a small fall garden

Vanilla Aroma- The Weekly Challenge Update

I officially threw down the holiday guantlet by starting to make some gifts this week... give a boy some sugar, bourbon and half a pound of vanilla beans and watch him go to work!

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 33
1. Plant something: Some lettuce seeds, chard, radishes
2. Harvest something: Red Cayenne Peppers
3. Preserve something: Dried Cayenne peppers in the dehydrator- To turn them into pepper flakes and jar them. Making Vanilla extract and Vanilla Sugar for Christmas.
4. Waste Not: Obtained a couple of pieces of foam rubber that were discarded to make a cushion for Romeo’s trailer (Hey I got a nice new soft bike seat… I figure he needs one too!)
5: Want not: Got half a pound of vanilla beans to make Vanilla extract and Vanilla Sugar for Christmas presents.
6. Preparation and Storage: Got half a pound of vanilla beans to make Vanilla extract and Vanilla Sugar for Christmas presents
7. Build Community Food Systems: The community garden board got the parks department board to agree to let the community gardeners go from year to year on their plots. And the parks board said more gardens could be added if demand is there.
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Pepper Flakes, Vanilla Sugar, Vanilla Extract

Growing Challenge "Extreme Evangelist Edition"- Nothing much new to report- just working the community garden plot. The community garden board got the parks department board to agree to let the community gardeners go from year to year on their plots. And the parks board said more gardens could be added if demand is there.

Garden Parties, No Reefer and Dog Trailers-- The Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 31
1. Plant something: nada
2. Harvest something: Kohl Rabi, Radishes, cucumber
3. Preserve something: nada
4. Waste Not: Got the old reefer going again, canceled the order on the new one.

5: Want not: Made Romeo a trailer so I can take him along when riding my bike. Save a little money making it myself.
6. Preparation and Storage: Thinking I should add a storage building in the front yard to store my bike and scooter in. And Romeo’s trailer; Also, Will use the three Self Watering Planters, the mason bee house and the lady bug house I used in Demo at the Garden Day celebration.
7. Build Community Food Systems: showed folks how to make Self Irrigating planters, Mason Bee houses and lady bug houses, as part of B-Patch Garden Day, our tip off to World Kitchen Garden Day
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Caprese Salad, pickled zucchini, zucchini bread

Garden Challenge: Extreme Evangelist Edition- showed folks how to make Self Irrigating planters, Mason Bee houses and lady bug houses, as part of B-Patch Garden Day, our tip off to World Kitchen Garden Day


Crunchy Chicken’s Pioneer Week Sunday- discovered that my fridge had died. So this week I am roughing it with the cooler. Of course I am pretty sure the Ingalls family didn't have a freezer making ice in milk jugs to get them through!

Thursday and Friday -Rode my Bicycle into to town and I have to say I need to invest in a kinder gentler seat, but in spite of a case of saddle soreness went pretty good


Sunday- topped off the week with a potluck at the community garden, and showed folks how to make Self Irrigating planters, Mason Bee houses and lady bug houses, as part of B-Patch Garden Day, our tip off to World Kitchen Garden Day

Weekly Challenge Update

Happy World Kitchen Garden Day Everyone!

Yup it's World Kitchen Garden day! So go out and hug your zucchini!

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 30
1. Plant something:
2. Harvest something: Bok Choy, cucumber, zucchini, fennel, tomatoes
3. Preserve something: Pickled Fennel Slices, Beets
4. Waste Not: Getting some more miles out of my LL Bean shoes- the insoles wore holes in them- replaced with new insoles
5: Want not: Made a headlight for the new bike out of a 9 L.E.D. flashlight I got for free from Harbor Freight and got an entry for Condo Blues's Remake your Swag Challenge at the same time!
6. Preparation and Storage: Got some canning jars at a yard sale (and they were new- still in the box)!
7. Build Community Food Systems: Getting the celebration ready at the community garden for next weekend- getting my demo's ready; planning my part of potluck etc. etc.
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Pickled Fennel slices; tomatoes and Bok Choy in a CLT sandwich


Garden Challenge: Extreme Evangelist Edition- Nothing new to report except for what’s above

Remember to check out CB's Remake your swag challenge

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 29
1. Plant something: nope
2. Harvest something: Had to remove a tomato plant from the Community Garden Plot that had overgrown and was blocking the wheelchair path, but thought to take off the green tomatoes first and save them to try fried green tomatoes; tomatoes, beans, dill
3. Preserve something:
4. Waste Not: Had to remove a tomato plant from the Community Garden Plot that had overgrown and was blocking the wheelchair path, but thought to take off the green tomatoes first and save them to try fried green tomatoes A gentleman phoned me to say he got my name and number from the bulletin board at the community garden- he wanted to start donating his spent grains and hop flowers from something he brews or ferments. I saw no problem with it and said to leave it there so others can inspect it. He said that if the board goes along he has enough to keep us in browns for quite awhile. Of course, thinker that I am - or think I am- I am thinking that if it gets to be too much others, including yours truly could use it at home in their compost piles.
5: Want not:
6. Preparation and Storage:
7. Build Community Food Systems: nothing, except planning my part of the demos at the B-Patch Garden Day celebration
8. Eat the food (cook something new): fried green tomatoes; beans, dill together (steamed the beans, spiced with dill)

Garden Challenge: Extreme Evangelist Edition- Had to remove a tomato plant from the Community Garden Plot that had overgrown and was blocking the wheelchair path, but thought to take off the green tomatoes first and save them to try fried green tomatoes

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 28
1. Plant something: Beans, Bok Choy, Radishes, Lettuce
2. Harvest something: Tomatoes, Beets, Golden Plums, Bulb Fennel;
3. Preserve something: pickled Bulb Fennel, froze a quart of plums, Froze some fresh figs
4. Waste Not: Saved an umbrella tree plant from the dumpster
5: Want not: Bought nothing this week, used or otherwise
6. Preparation and Storage: Nada
7. Build Community Food Systems: Got the rest of the garden board in synch with a celebration for kitchen garden day celebration in the community garden.
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Honeysuckle berries

Garden Challenge: Extreme Evangelist Edition- Got the rest of the garden board in synch with a celebration for kitchen garden day celebration in the community garden.

Finders Keepers- The Weekly Challenge Update

Another busy week- one were I get to work the weekend :(

I don't mind working weekends, but I feel like I get disconnected from friends and family and my community when I work so much.

On the bright side going to work today I say some junk along the side of the road with my favorite words on a sign "Free Stuff" so it wasn't a complete bust!

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 27
1. Plant something: Bok Choy, Chard, radishes, carrots
2. Harvest something: Some golden plums
3. Preserve something: Froze some plums using the new method I found
4. Waste Not: Found some treasure for free on the side of the road on my way to work- some old snow skis, maybe a chair project and a Metal Headboard that would be perfect as a trellis for runner beans!
5: Want not: Bought a solar shower at REI - have wanted one for awhile.
6. Preparation and Storage: Solar Shower for TEOTWAWKI. If not I like to shower outdoors and now have a camping shower.
7. Build Community Food Systems: Trying to get a meeting of the community garden board to go over the August 22 Kitchen Garden Day Celebration, which we are now doing it a week later on the 29, to meet with folks schedules.
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Microwave Jam;

Garden Challenge: Extreme Evangelist Edition-found a Metal Headboard for free that would be perfect as a trellis for runner beans!

Weekly Challenge Update- Getting ready for the "holiday"

I am very excited about National Kitchen Garden Day! I have talked to the rest of the Community Garden Board and the consensus is we could have a Potluck on August 15th! I may even overcome my natural shyness and demonstrate how I make SIPs (Self Irrigating Planters) or SWP's (Self Watering Planters). Anyway hope it turns out good! Now on to the challenges:

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, weeks 25 and 26
1. Plant something: Nope
2. Harvest something: Golden plums, Tomatoes, Chard, Lettuce, peas, Logan berries
3. Preserve something: Made 5 - ½ pint jars of Apricot Salsa and froze 4 of them for later. Dehydrated 4 pounds of Apricots.
4. Waste Not: Got a Rubber Maid container full of towels from mom that were destined for Goodwill- will use for rags etc; Making a new worm bin out of the Rubber Maid Container.
5: Want not: Bought 6 pounds of Apricots at the farmers’ market for .99 a pound!
6. Preparation and Storage:
7. Build Community Food Systems: Am making plans with the community garden board for a fest celebrating National Kitchen Garden Day on August 15
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Made apricot salsa; loganberry smoothie; steamed chard with pancetta, lettuce and peas and a few Logan berries in a salad

Garden Challenge: Extreme Evangelist Edition- Harvested Golden Plums, Chard, Lettuce, peas and Logan berries. Am making plans with the community garden board for a fest celebrating National Kitchen Garden Day on August 15 (normally held on August 22nd but we are celebrating a week early as a bunch of the gardeners are taking a “perma culture course“)

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 24
1. Plant something: Had to rip out some tomato plants at Community Garden as they were diseased. Planted new tomato plants. Bok Choy,
2. Harvest something: Radishes, Bok Choy, Lettuce, India Mustard, Swiss chard; foraged pineapple weeds, more clover for tea
3. Preserve something: dried some chard
4. Waste Not: pulled some starting pots from the trash at community garden
5: Want not: Bought some storage jars at Ikea in the As Is section- good for storing dried goods;
6. Preparation and Storage: Bought some storage jars at Ikea in the As Is section- good for storing dried goods;
7. Build Community Food Systems: Attended board meeting for the community garden
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Sautéed Radishes, Bok Choy in stir fry; India mustard, lettuce and radishes in salad, chard cooked,

Garden Challenge: Extreme Evangelist Edition- Attended the community garden board meeting- Had to rip out some tomato plants at Community Garden as they were diseased (Blight). Planted new tomato plants. Bok Choy

Gorilla Garden Update: Still looking for some place to feed my need to be an urban Guerilla. As you may or may not recall, my last spot got bulldozed over.

Nom Nom Nom... Independence Days Update

Missed last week so here is two weeks worth of update. Didn't do much as we are just now getting summer, and was very busy with the Bike Fair, Wild Strawberry Festival and crap I do in June every year. No wonder my yard looks like a tornado landed in it!A couple of the tomato plants in buckets am experiementing with this year. Flanked by the old Plymouth
Independence Days Challenge Year 3, Weeks 22 & 23
1. Plant something: Radishes, transplanted a couple of tomatoes
2. Harvest something: Radishes, pineapple weed, clover heads, bok choy, tomato.
3. Preserve something: dried some more pineapple weed for tea,
4. Waste Not: Got a couple of more pieces of cardboard for community garden
5: Want not: Found a replacement Bike seat for one of my old single speeds at a garage sale for a quarter! Bought a half flat of strawberries at the strawberry festival.
6. Preparation and Storage:Nothing
7. Build Community Food Systems:Manned the booth for Sustainable Burien, Passing out used coffee grounds and wild strawberry plants, answered questions about the community garden.
8. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Strawberries n crème, homemade strawberry "ice cream", bok choy and tomato in salad

Garden Challenge "Extreme Evangelist Edition"Nothing new. Just carrying on carrying on.

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 21
1. Plant something: Radishes, lettuce
2. Harvest something: Radishes, pineapple weed.
3. Preserve something: drying pineapple weed heads for tea
4. Waste Not: Got some more cardboard for community garden
5: Want not: Obtained some canning jars at garage sale
6. Preparation and Storage:
7. Build Community Food Systems: Helped a guy build a three bin composter at community garden, got elected to board, having head examined on Wednesday
8. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Radishes

Garden Challenge Extreme Evangelist Edition- Helped a guy build a three bin composter at community garden, got elected to board, having head examined on Wednesday, The gardens are looking good. Lots of stuff coming up!

Now kitty can have job?- Weekly Challenge Update

I was thinking Sammy now has a job, keeping me in litter buckets, but his litter doesn't come in buckets! So we will have to be dependant on other Kitty's shit generosity if I want to make more bucket containers! So Sammy Cats job is to still to sit on my lap and purr and pat my face with his paws. And dispatch the occasional mouse.

Thats a lot of cat poop!

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 19
1. Plant something: Cucumbers, hot peppers
2. Harvest something: Radishes, Mesclun greens, lettuce, foraged clover heads and pineapple weed.
3. Preserve something: Dried clover heads for tea and put them up
4. Waste Not: Community garden wanted cardboard. I had three large pieces left over from the kitty litter bucket bed. Seemed like a natural barter! Used those buckets, obtained from freecycle, along with pop/water bottles from the trash to make a container garden bed
5: Want not: Bought some local honey at the farmer’s market. And some locally made bread.
6. Preparation and Storage: Used 4 kitty litter buckets to store Sammy Cat’s litter. (I buy wood stove pellets in a large bag- ¼ the cost of feline pine and looks and acts the same)
7. Build Community Food Systems: Community garden wanted cardboard. I had three large pieces left over from the kitty litter bucket bed. Seemed like a natural barter! Wrote an article for the B-town Blog about the Community Garden
8. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Radishes, mesclun greens and lettuce in a salad; Pineapple weed as a snack.


Garden Challenge "Extreme Evangelist Edition"- Came up with a way to use kitty litter buckets for garden planters.