Hi, I'm Jami and I love to share simple real food recipes, easy gardening tips, and the best, quickest ways to preserve seasonal food. In my emails you'll find behind the scenes news from the farmhouse and doable, delicious recipes for every stage of life straight to your inbox!
π Chocolate & gardening.
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And if you add books and knitting to those two things, that would pretty much cover all my favs.π But really, why are chocolate and gardening together? Because it's Valentine's Day today (happy π day!) and I'm also sharing some things you can be doing in your garden (or for your future garden if you can't get out in it yet). Only here at An Oregon Cottage can you get both those things in one email.π HappeningsGarden-wise, because of our relatively mild winter I've got lots still going on - in fact, it doesn't look that much different from the January update, other than I've harvested most of the turnips and parsnips. BUT I've also got weeds coming up way earlier and I haven't refreshed the vegetable garden's paths in a couple years, so laying cardboard and wood chips is going to be #1 on my list when we get back from a little 2-week trip we're taking. I've already started some seeds inside, onions, peppers and tomatoes mainly, and when I get back I'll start a bunch more right away - all the brassicas, lettuce, etc. I'm experimenting with some pea seeds outdoors today - we'll see how they do. (Want to start seeds indoors? Here's a Seed Starting Guide I created a few years ago with why, where, and how to start your own seeds.) I also pruned the berries and fruit trees last week and I'm deciding if I want to transplant the berries to a place it would be easier to harvest (they're under a cover now that I learned last season is too short...). If you have some slightly warmer days, cutting back some perennials and shrubs is a great way to get a head start. Even if you have only 15-30 minutes at a time, you can make great headway and get some good outside time.π β‘οΈ If you're wondering what you can do in your yard and garden in February, be sure to check out this list of garden tasks with a printable checklist you can download.β β‘οΈβ‘οΈAlso, be on the lookout for a fun kick-off to the gardening season I'll be telling you more about soon - I think you will love it! Quick Chocolate TreatsAm I "late" with these chocolate treats for Valentine's? Maybe, but if you need something fast, these will do it - and of course you can make them any time.π
From The BlogA few more things#1 - Since I plan to have the new greenhouse up and running in March, I needed a smaller seed starting system for in the house. I plan to plant and get the more tender seeds up and running where I can keep an eye on them and move them into the greenhouse after they've sprouted. We have a narrow counter in the laundry room where I found I could fit two of these small lights from Epic Gardening perfectly. They work with the same tray and pots I already like using from Epic and will be easy to switch out as the seedlings grow and I move them into the greenhouse. The lights are easy to put together and have an included timer so I don't have to add one. #2 - AND, Epic Gardening is having a sitewide 25% off President's Day sale through the 19th AND you can get an extra 5% off with my code, ANOREGONCOTTAGE5 for a full 30% off!! If you've wanted a Birdie's bed, other raised beds, or seed starting supplies now is a great time before the season to grab them! (Note: if you're in the market for seeds, there are some on the Epic site, but their sister site, Botanical Interests, has more seed selection and is running their own sale - Spend $50 get $15 in cart credit.) #3 - Are you watching any of the Winter Olympics? I only ever watch these sports during the games, but it's always so amazing and usually heartfelt with great stories.π Appreciate you and hope you have a wonderful week! Know someone who'd appreciate this? Forward it along! *You can read An Oregon Cottage's full disclosure policy here. Do you love these emails? To get an email whenever I post a new recipe or article, click here. |
An Oregon Cottage: Simple Homemade Life
Hi, I'm Jami and I love to share simple real food recipes, easy gardening tips, and the best, quickest ways to preserve seasonal food. In my emails you'll find behind the scenes news from the farmhouse and doable, delicious recipes for every stage of life straight to your inbox!
Some links in this email are affiliate links- if you click through and purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.* Hi Reader, Oh goodness, where to start with what's been happening? Let's just say I hope your last week has gone better then mine.π I am not writing this from Arizona, which was where we had planned to be for two weeks. I am instead writing this from our couch with my arm in a splint! I broke my wrist last Friday in two places after tripping and falling...
Some links in this email are affiliate links- if you click through and purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.* Hi Reader, I hope things are going well with you! It was so wonderful to read all the emails I got after I sent last week's newsletter. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it - thank you for being a part of this wonderful simple homemade life community.π This week has been so lovely, weather wise, and I've had no problems keeping up with my goal to...
Some links in this email are affiliate links- if you click through and purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.* Hi Reader, This week I had booked a few days for us at the Oregon coast (the first of the monthly trips/activities in my goals) and after weeks of dry, sunny (though cold) weather, we timed it to rain a lot of the time we were there.π We did manage to have some dry morning beach walks (one with zero wind!), though: The rest of the time we worked with a...