Summer harvest

Spreading straw in the chicken coop.

Dear diligent reader,

This is the time of year in Alaska when we begin to reap the rewards of our hard work. We’ve hauled the water from the creek, tilled and raked the garden, cleaned the chicken coop. We’ve weeded and planted and built fences.

Now, halfway through summer, we remember why.

Watering the garden. We haul water from a nearby creek when there isn't enough rain.

Earlier this spring, when there was still snow outside, my 4-year-old daughter and I planted kale, broccoli and other seeds. For weeks they grew in front of the window. They were leggy, pale things. We transplanted them into the garden, and watered them and fed them with seaweed fertilizer. Now they are stout and dark green.

And with 20 hours of daylight and lush greenery to feed on, our hens are laying a half dozen eggs a day. The yolks are as bright as the sun.

Radishes, kale, and eggs from our backyard.

The other morning, I went down to the garden and picked a handful of kale. Then I gathered the eggs. Back in the kitchen, I made the best omelet I can imagine ever eating. It was worth it all.

Cheers!

Eowyn

P.S. I’m taking a quick break next week, but I’ll be back the following — hopefully with some interesting stories to share.

1 Comment

  • Sue Mathis says:

    One year I planted lettuce in pots and put them on my deck. It was so wonderful just stepping out the door to pick fresh lettuce for salads. I had home grown broccoli from my garden and more snap peas than an army could eat! It made me feel like Old McDonald! (Coming from NYC, it was an amazing feat for me!) We also had some ducks and I would gather their eggs on a regular basis. Duck eggs make the best Toll House cookies!!! Hooray for Alaskan summers and the great harvests of delicious veggies.