THE U-Pick GARDEN will be closing August 20th. This will be the last year the garden will be open to the public. Next year I'll be operating as a CSA, supplying about 20 regular customers with weekly boxes. Thank you for your support over the last 8 years, but it's time to try something new.

To get a copy of my book, "How To Grow Vegetables In Sitka, Alaska" just give me a call....The books are $20 plus tax. If you live out of town and want me to mail you a copy, you can mail a check for $25.60 to:

Lori Adams
P O Box 6021
Sitka, Alaska
99835


Down To Earth U-Pick Garden is located at 2103 Sawmill Creek Road in Sitka, Alaska. It is open usually from mid-June through late August. Hours are Monday-Saturday 12:00 to 6:30. On Farmer's Market Saturdays I am not open until 2:00. Children are welcome but may not run through the garden or chase the ducks. If you have any questions you can contact me, Lori Adams, at 907-747-6108 or 907-738-2241. My email address is downtoearthupick@gmail.com

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Gathering Starfish

The biggest project of the day was to go down to the beach and gather starfish for the garden...


Starfish are just about the only natural source of phosphorus that we have here in Sitka.  They are plentiful this time of year and fun to gather.  I always take a screwdriver with me to use to pry them off the rocks.  Some of them are easy to get to....


...and some of them are not!


This was one of Lucy's favorite activities, but there a lot of large rocks on this beach so she cannot go with me any more.  It is kind of a trek when you are packing heavy buckets but it is doable.


There is always lots of cool stuff to see on the beach...barnacles....


...snails feasting on herring eggs....


...and cool tide pools...


Not bad for a couple of hours of work.  And it didn't even rain on me!


Now I need to get the carrot bed ready because that is where these babies are going.  The key is to not leave them in the buckets too long or they really start to stink!  As long as they are buried with a couple inches of dirt there is no odor problem.

Oh, and last night I finally got around to shaving the cat.  Remember what he looked like before?


Well, this is what he looks like now...


And this is what came off of him...


I think there is enough hair here to make another whole cat!  It's expensive to get it done professionally as they want you to have the vet put them under first.  A couple of years ago I found an electric clippers at True Value for about $14 and tried it myself.  It took 2 hours and was a nightmare.  I've gotten marginally better, but it is always a challenge.  He looks a little rough around the edges, but we like him that way!

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