Your Garden ~ Hugelkultur

It is never too late to start a garden.  One of the fastest and easiest ways to get started is by using the Hügelkultur” (pronounced hyoo-gul-kulture).  A German method of creating garden beds using mounds or in our case filling raised beds.  Of course, you can always just sow your seeds or plants directly into the ground, but by using other organic material to “feed” your crops, from the start, the garden of your dreams is easier to grow with a little help from nature.

       

       

To get started, you need to decide if you are going to mound, or fill raised beds.  Determine your area of growth and then bring in your organic material.  If you are starting out in a new area and have to remove any plants in the way, the organic material you remove can be used to start the base of your mounds or fill in the bottom of your raised beds.  We also like to add a layer of cardboard to the bottom of our beds for added weed protection until our plants take control.

              

Once you have your cardboard down, now is the time to layer in the larger branches or wood pieces to the bottom of your mound or raised bed. These larger pieces of organic material will slowly break down over time and allow a slow release of nutrients into your soil, and create a natural sponge.  The older your wood pieces the faster they will break down and quicker they will “feed” your plants and absorb water.  The decomposition of this material will also heat your bed, which could extend your growing season naturally.

 

Next you can put the next layer into place, which can be dirt or grass from the area you selected to place your new garden bed.  If you use grass that still has roots, place the grass root side up on the logs at the bottom.  This organic layer is going to be packed tightly.  So, whatever you use to place here, stuff it in and add some more. 

 

The next layer will have more wood.  Add smaller piece of wood on top of the organic layer and pack it in tightly.  You can make this layer as high as you want if you are choosing to mound your garden.  If you are using a raised bed keep it below the top level, since it will take time to break down.

 

Water your layers well at this point and add in any organic material to fill in the cracks in the layers.  The addition of water at this point, will help to start the decomposition of the layers below.  We do not wait for this layer to sprout mushrooms before adding our topsoil, but that is a common practice.  We add our topsoil right way after adding water. 

 

After heavily watering the mound or raised bed, go ahead and add in your topsoil.  This product is where you will be planting your garden.  No matter if you are using food or flowers, the end product will be coming out of this top layer.  The best option is to let the mound settle for the off season and plant in the new year.  If you create your bed in the fall, let it settle over winter and then plant in the spring.  I will admit there have been a few beds that we planted right away.  No one way is right or wrong, just standard practice, of waiting after being built.

 

This is one of our favorite ways to start a new garden bed.  In the end it uses less water because the wood at the bottom become like a sponge and waters your garden naturally.  The material does break down over time so the mound or bed will “shrink” as time goes by.  In the end the beak down is worth the cost savings from water retention and natural nutrients going back into your garden. Any shrinkage from decomposition can be replaced with homemade compost to keep your garden healthy and thriving. 

 

Around Town ~ The Plant Niche, Earth Day

 

“Around Town” this month I stopped in to chat with Erika at the Plant Niche, in downtown Sulphur Springs.  The Plant Niche is tucked away at 222 Tomlinson Street.  Her hours are from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday.  This single mom is working hard for her family and has come up with some very innovative ideas to help our community and homes become greener.

 

               Not only does the Plant Niche offer classes, but you can also stop in to purchase your favorite house plant.  If you are not sure about your green thumb, put Erika’s green thumb to work and have her schedule a time to care for your indoor plants, at your home or office.  Fresh plants are so healthy for the home or office environment, cleansing the air, and providing natural color and sustainability from within.  Her plant care services can make the difference in your home and allow you to house plants that you might not have thought to care for at home. So many people think about the outside appearance of homes and forget to place plants in the home. Let Erika help you decide what plants would fit your lifestyle.

 

               One of her latest collaborations is with the Sulphur Springs Public Library, where she has been offering classes for free to the public.  Her latest class was filled to capacity with guests making fresh, live terrariums to take home and enjoy.  Space fills quickly so if you want to join in the plant fun, be sure to check out the Library’s website for more information.

 

               What we really wanted to discuss together was her upcoming event on the Square, to celebrate Earth Day.  This year’s Earth Day Celebration will be held in conjunction with the Spring Market on Main, April 20^th.  Visitors can come and enjoy learning more about the environment and how they can help make a difference by creating a greener living space.  This celebration is free to the public and there will be food vendors, live music, speakers and you guessed it, plants. Be sure to head on down to Celebration Plaza in Downtown Sulphur Springs this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  There will be something for everyone to enjoy and experience.

 

               While you explore downtown, be sure to hop on over to the Plant Niche, just pass through the Courtyard from Main street and enter her shop on the other side.  You won’t want to leave any plants behind. 

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Strawberry Mojito

 

 

               As the temperature starts to creep up in Texas, our herb infused cocktail for April is the perfect drink for sipping and enjoying together.  This month’s cocktail of the month, from The Oaks Bed and Breakfast is a Strawberry Mojito.  Our mint is looking amazing already this Spring and we wanted to take advantage of its bounty early.

               Simple in flavor and ingredients, this drink will be a crowd pleaser for sure.  Unless you are allergic to strawberries, be sure to put this drink on your must make list. If you are allergic change out with watermelon or blackberries.  This strawberry mojito is easy to scale up for larger groups to enjoy together.  If you have friends who do not drink alcohol, leave out the rum and finish off with sparkling water. 

Ingredients

 

3 fresh strawberries, diced

10-15 fresh mint leaves

½ medium lime, juiced about 1 tablespoon

1 ounce simple syrup

2 ounces of white Rum

Ice

Sparkling Water

 

Combine strawberries, mint, lime, and simple syrup into a glass and muddle the group together.  Stir in Rum.  Fill glass with ice, and then top with sparkling water.  Garnish with mint leaves, limes, and a fresh strawberry.

 

               While this is just a single serving for this drink, it can easily be made in a pitcher for friends to enjoy.  I just love how the mint really comes out in this drink when muddled well with the strawberries. The lime adds just the right amount of tart, to balance out the sweetness of the simple syrup. 

 

Mocktail version, sparkling water only.

               Let us know what you think and be sure to share your photos with us when you make one of The Oaks Bed and Breakfast, herb infused cocktails. As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  Cheers!

 

Travel ~ Rochester, Minnesota

 

               Recently my husband and I had a chance to attend the wedding of one of his cousins, in Rochester, Minnesota.  We were excited to get away to somewhere different and have a little break from the daily grind.  Ironically, the weekend we were there, they happened to have a snowstorm.  This past winter has been pretty mild, without a lot of snow or bad weather.  That being said, we did not get out and do very much, beyond taking in the food. 

               While we were staying there, we rented a house, that caters a little more towards people who happen to be in town for the  Mayo Clinic but we needed a spot that could host multiple family members, so we could visit and chat outside of a hotel room.  The house location was convenient and efficient for our needs.  I would always recommend a larger space for bigger groups, since a bed and breakfast is not always an option.  The closest one for our trip was thirty minutes away and we wanted to be closer to the wedding venue, maybe next time.

               We were able to try a variety of food options while we were there and explore downtown just a bit.  I think a summer visit would have been nice, that way we could have taken a wine or brewery tour on the trolley.  Or made our way through the sculpture garden, but that was a little too chilly for our tastes this time around.

               While in Rochester we found and tried a vegan donut.  I know what you are thinking, that had to taste like cardboard, but really it was actually pretty good.  Light and fluffy for a cake donut and had great flavor.  If you did not know you were ordering a vegan donut you would have thought the batter was just a little different from a standard cake donut and munched it down.

               Of course, we had to find the local coffee shop and we found a couple that had some great lattes and cappuccinos.  Coffee is one of our favorite ways to start out in a new city, and these did not disappoint.  Lunch was in order and Thai food was on the list. This restaurant had so many plants inside that it made you think you were staying in a tropical forest instead of the “frozen North.”  Plus, the food was great.  Just the right amount of spice and fantastic flavor.

               The highlight of the trip was of course the wedding.  Held in a venue that was once an old hay barn owned by one of the Mayo brothers, the space was creatively used and looked beautiful.  We enjoyed seeing family that we do not usually get to see very often and danced the night away with the couple and their friends.  It’s always fun to see how other companies cater and serve food, in order to gather new ideas.

               No matter how long or short a trip might be, we always try to find the best in each adventure.  This one was no different.  We were excited to celebrate the newlyweds and explore somewhere new.  Our favorite restaurant stop was the Forager Brewery and café.  It’s too bad we did not have more time to visit, we would have loved to have explored their craft beer options and their lunch or dinner menu.  Next time!  Where will your next adventure take you?