Some Mulching Benefits:
1.  Keeps weeds from getting out of control.
2.  Brightens things up.
3.  Provides shelter for beneficial bugs and they add nutrients to the garden.
4.  Will break down and become compost over time.

These are the Diva variety from Johnny's Seeds -- a greenhouse cuke -- and mentioned in Janisse Ray's book on seed saving.  I've been cutting off the skins to give to Beau Toby who really loves them with carrots and softened alfalfa cubes.  The magazine Holistic Horse has an article on whole foods in season, so in moderation, we're putting some goodies in the mix.

I stumbled onto the Statesboro Farmer's Market last Saturday and felt an unexpected wave of pure happiness.  I picked up a violin near Main Street, that my thoughtful bro and sis-in-law had restrung for me.  I was very touched by this brotherly generosity.  The Sun was out, everyone was smiling...and that Dido song Thank You played over the sound system ...and it synched with my mood....

I want to thank you
for giving me the best day of my life
Oh just to be with you
is having the best day of my life

Since I was new to the market, I got five tokens to spend on local produce in their "My Market Club" program.  I bought a blueberry bush from Longwood Plantation, some onions from a humorously persistent young salesman at the Walker Organic Farm booth and red potatoes. 

I also bought a handmade berry minty soap from the lovely Amelia (seen above) from Wee Farm from Dover in Screven County.

Wee Farm's website has eye candy for food lovers.  And I spotted this on her bio, which fits with things Sandor and I discuss about preparing for our golden years.  Amelia writes, "I'm coming to see this way of life as a retirement plan, and it's not that I want to spend all my time planning for forty years from now, however, I'll begin reaping the benefits now. Acquiring skills not everyone has and investing in tangible material goods and land means I won't be dependent on someone else to look out for me or feed me when I get older. Not to mention I find few things in life more satisfying than getting dirty and creative, inventing, being resourceful...that and picking food fresh from my backyard for dinner."

Thanks to all these wonderful vendors for one of the best days of my life....I'll be back!

Doing some companion planting this year going by tips from the Sow True catalogue..   this is kale with radish in the middle.

We started potatoes late, because of flooding, but they're looking better than last years crop.  Because of the biblical amount of rain, we raised these beds higher.  And to keep them from rotting, Sandor made a basket of hay under each seed potato, for a layer between it and the wet bed.

Inside the greenhouse today....salad greens, tomato seedlings, spinach, arugula and another group of seeds (in trays).  Sandor wants me to say this is 600 sq ft and is made from recycled materials, plus $200 investment.  So a bargain, for early greens and to get seeds started.  I'm getting excited about Spring planting....soon.