Dian Green

Got distracted and did a quick version of a bag style fron Anthropologie that I had seen.
We had a pair of vintage canvases that had no sentimental or $ value so I decided to try using them.
 (The stretchers they were on were the proper wood molding so they are being kept)

I had some acrylic gel medium so took them out and did a light coat on them to seal and stabilize them. They were left out to cure for a couple of days in the garage then cut.
I had a big bunch of leather colour samples we got for free. I pulled some to match the art and them laid out in colour blocks I liked the look of and sewed them into strips.
Then it was sewn up and I used a thrifted canvas belt from the stash.  (Our local thrift store used to do weekly clearance on older items so belts and ties would be 25 cents. I built up a supply collection)

I should get 3 bags total from the 2, 18×24 canvases.

Hi Bob, welcome to permies!

I'm presently in 6b, Norfolk county. So a fair bit south of you. I was in 5b for 15+ years and grew in
Nlfd, so have dealt with zone 2.

I agree with Les that walking onions and sunchokes are worth a shot. Rhubarb is always a good one. It can typically hold its own in rough ground. Wild strawberries may not produce much but they are low effort.
I like some of the easy herbs. Lovage, thyme, chives, oregano, mints, bee balm, horseradish.  
You should be able to at least get some kales, beans, cabbages, lettuce and radishes to produce this year since they don't need much in terms of ground prep. They may be small but you should get something.

Not sure if you know already but both Whiffletree and Silvercreek nurseries deal with bareroot stuff that will work to zone 2. Both usually have good clearance sales at the end of season. They are both fair on their shipping prices and Ive been happy with their trees/shrubs/plants.
Hardy fruit trees, out of Quebec, deals with even more of the low zone stuff but they just opened for orders and were already sold out of some things. I've got an order in but haven't bought from them before.
Haskap, sea buckthorn, blueberries, serviceberries  and cranberries should all be good for you. I know there are some pears and apples that will produce as well.

Good luck, it's a huge adventure you're starting!

I think the fabric layout is mostly done. I've pulled a bunch of vintage ribbon from my grandparents stash that are in possible colours.
I still have to lay them out.

I've started roughing out the base of patches on the back panel. I'm trying to leave extra on the top edge for sewing it to the chair.
Also don't want the texture too interesting on the top edge to hopefully decrease the cats interest in clawing it up again

Just wanted to update.
We got several blocks of coconut coir growing medium cheap so I having been trying them. What I've learned is that while it works, there is a big difference between sprouts in it compared to an inoculated potting soil. I know legumes generally need fungal root partners to grow well, but I didn't realize how much it would affect even sprouts.

The sprouts done in myco inoculated soil do SO much better! I was shocked at how much slower and weaker the plain medium sprouts are. (All my prior photos are soil sprouts)

I'm going to try mixing soil and medium and see how that does and I'll update.

For now, I have to strongly recommend soil for peas.

Our local grocery store just has some fresh, salt cured peppercorns on clearance.  
I picked some up to try the flavour. That part is good but I was wondering if anyone knew about their medicinal value compared to the dried.
I have been making a ginger and turmeric paste with peppercorns that is a great anti-inflammatory for my mother and am willing to buy several more packs of these fresh ones for later batches, if they will be a better option.
They are soft, so would blend in better.
Thoughts?

Suki-Lu Yellowknee wrote:


The guy who is selling me jujube doesn't ship. So id recommend the website phoenixperennials that i mentioned last night. Lots of varieties! Hope you are able to get one

Thanks for the links and info. Phoenix looks great. I have a friend who is also looking for them and I'll try to get our orders organized so we can do it in one shipment. ( and then we can trade scions with each other so we'll make sure we're getting different stuff)
This should be my last non-clearance tree buys! (I'm sure I will find something else to hunt down, but these were the biggest wants remaining:)

Just did up a group of firestarters.
I'd collected a bunch of milkweed fluff in the fall and have been keeping the tp roll cores.
Then added in some bark from the logs and some beeswax bits from unrolled candles we got in a box lot.
Lastly, a bit of wax paper to hold it together.

I'm hoping that having a bunch ready to go will make getting the wood stove going faster.

Hi Suki-lu, welcome to permies!

I don't know a supplier in BC but Silvercreek nursery in Ontario sells scions in the spring. I haven't seen jujube from them however. It's a hard on to find even as tree.

You might have some luck trying a jujube tree growers group on Facebook. I'm in one for pawpaws and people will sell and trade scions through it.

Jujube is on my want list so if the one you bought from ships, I'd love to get a link. Thanks!

I've gone through the scrap/small pieces stash and taken stuff that I think will go together and with the chair.

Still have to iron it all since that will make the patching nice and smooth.

(Several years ago, the Stratford Festival donated a ton of fabric scraps and remnants to our local store.  We got a bunch of those bags on clearance so have some really nice scrap bits)