Torrential rain and a tornado warning: at least the gardens had a good soaking.

This week there was a tornado warning in our region as the Nebraska tornadoes travelled north to Canada. Angus, Ontario experienced an EF-2 tornado and houses were destroyed, but unlike the tragedy in Nebraska, we were fortunate that nobody died here. The violent storm that we did experience in Guelph was intense. At least our gardens at home and the community garden at the farm were well watered.

Gavin the crayfish hanging out in his cabbage leaf - new front claw regrowing - he didn't seem to care about the weather.

May and June: It's Spring and we are deciding what to plant in our community garden plot.

Thanks to our new friend Doug, who contacted me through FarmLINK (FarmLINK.net) this winter, my family now enjoys weekend visits to the farm that he and his wife have in Ariss, just north of Guelph. We have been preparing the soil and planning our garden plot for the past month or so, since the last traces of snow and ice receded. It's June on the farm and so far we have planted corn, beans, squash (several varieties), pumpkins, beets, parsnips, carrots, peas, kale, green cabbage, Asian cabbage (for kimchi) and we have yet to plant green and yellow zucchinis, more pole and flat beans. We love feeding the horses apples and hanging out with the chickens!

The three sisters:

Corn and pole beans planted in mounds.

Squash planted between the mounds.

Our rows of  wee vegetables.

I am uncertain that we will be growing enough produce to be able to sell it at the Guelph Farmers' Market www.guelphfarmersmarket.ca/. I am interested in bottling chutneys,  chili sauces and relishes, so we will see how it all goes this summer.