My Fickle Friend -- March March came in like a lion in north Idaho. Our overnight temperatures dipped into the single digits, and windchill forced minus figures. As I write, it's a balmy 16 degrees with blizzard-like conditions blowing outside the … [Read more...]
Heirloom Tomato and Vegetable Plants for Sale!
February 23, 2014 By 2 Comments
The 2014 Heirloom Plant Line-Up is Posted! As I write this, old man Winter still has a tight grip on us -- more than 6 inches of snow has once again blanketed the garden. Yet, his icy grip will slowly loosen as the days lengthen, and we slip and … [Read more...]
Countdown to Spring!
February 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment
The first round of seed packets arrived in the mail this past week from Baker Creek. It's a little like Christmas -- anticipating the package delivery, opening it, and being so delighted by the colorful seed packets, and all the promise that each … [Read more...]
A Mid-Winter’s Plan
February 3, 2014 By Leave a Comment
After a very dry December and January, it looks as though winter has finally arrived in Coeur d'Alene. A lovely blanket of snow has finally covered the garden and will help to insulate the ground against the bitter-cold temps that are predicted for … [Read more...]
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2014 By 1 Comment
Happy New Year from the Coeur d'Alene Coop & Second Street Chicken Ranch! 2013 was a good year for the Second Street Chicken Ranch. We grew and sold hundreds of heirloom tomato plans at the Kootenai County Farmer's Market (and we'll be doing it … [Read more...]
The Summer Garden
August 6, 2013 By 2 Comments
The Summer Garden The gardens at the 2nd Street Chicken Ranch are in full bloom and happily abuzz. The perennial garden is blazing with the fiery golds, purples and whites of the echinacea, rudbeckia, yarrow, and gooseneck … [Read more...]
Kootenai County Farmer’s Market Opens
May 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Kootenai County Farmer's Market Opens Saturday! The kick-off to gardening season begins this Saturday, May 11 with the opening of the Kootenai County Farmer's Market. The market, a non-profit organization, has been serving Kootenai County for 27 … [Read more...]
How to Harden Off Tomato Plants
April 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Time to Harden Off the Tomato Plants The tomato seedlings at the 2nd Street Chicken Ranch have enjoyed all the comforts of home and have been growing nicely in a constant 67 degree room filled with filtered sunlight. Pampered for sure. However … [Read more...]
The Heirloom Grow-Operation
April 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Great Tomato Takeover This is my third year in growing heirloom tomato plants from seed, and by far, my most ambitious. Last week I completed the task of transplanting the tiny seedlings into individual pots -- 454 of them. When I tell … [Read more...]
Growing Heirloom Tomato Plants from Seed
March 18, 2013 By 8 Comments
Starting Heirloom Tomatoes from Seed is Easy! Note: This article was originally posted March 18, 2013. The links have been updated for 2014. Last week I started 25 varieties of heirloom tomato plants from seed; planting more than 500 seeds! It … [Read more...]
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