living in the 23rd zone

I was a happy camper today! The storms have passed, the sky was blue, the sun was out and the temps hovered around 65 most of the day. These are the days that make me glad to live in such a temperate climate. Forget about the smog, the traffic, the road rage and all those people. These are the days we live for – warm and sunny in the middle of December. Sometimes I lament about not having seasons and the holidays not feeling very merry. Let’s face it it’s hard to hear songs like White Christmas or Let it Snow with no white stuff on the ground. But not today! Today was made for gardening and I was out in it.

After working for a few hours and running errands in town, I spent the afternoon taking care of some much needed garden keeping. The storms hadn’t caused any damage which was a good thing. I let the chickens out to scratch around in the soft wet dirt, digging up worms and any other treats they could find. They seemed happy being out in the wide open spaces of the garden, running and squawking, flapping their wings. They were funny chasing each other then suddenly stopping to investigate something in the dirt.

I’ve decided to change the garden a bit, so I can maximize the space and increase my production. Pea and bean fencing that was used last year was taken down and stored on the side of the house. I have arbors running down the garden like a central alley, by attaching fence panels to the arbors I can plant longer double rows of peas and beans, then switch to other climbing veggies like cucks, squash and mini pumpkins, using the beds they use to be in for better rotation. I got a few up, but need to get more. When the other panels are up I’ll plant a variety of peas – snap sugar, shelling and oriental. Around the base there should be room for greens, and other salad makings. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts can be stared indoors and raised as transplants till planting time. And of course, weeding still goes on here in winter, never any relief from that.

I’ve lived in So Cal most of my life, seen much change in our area, from a farm and ranch area to suburban sprawl I’ve lived to watch it all closing in. With my farm girl sensibilities and a desire for more land I often think about moving to more wide open places with fewer people or maybe it’s more people, just with similar minds. Talking homesteading or simple living brings strange looks from people who are accustomed to Starbucks three times a day or daily meals out. They just don’t get it.

Like the song says, “…the sun’ll come out tomorrow…” I hope so, ‘cause I’m having fun here in the 23rd zone!