The house feels very different without the cats.
Kevin's been working stupid hours for many days which, added to the absence of Billie and Blue makes it very lonely in the evening.
Lauren is back on her antacids and on a frutose reduced diet. She also had her second swimming lesson today and is amazing!
Roman was up throughout the night after throwing up around 9:30 but was well enough this morning to want to play so off to school he went.
I've found some great scrapbooking supplies... now I have to order them / get back to Winners and come up with an excuse to buy them all. It would be easier to justify if I actually completed more scrapping?
The garden peas are doing very well - they're about 2 inches / 5 cm tall, very lush and green.
At least something is thriving!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Today we said goodbye to our other kitty. Once again it was a decision we had to make and not a choice life, or the end thereof, made for us.
Death and burial go together in the life of a rural pet owner. I noticed different things on my way to the burial site - the length of the grass and how it would be perfect for stalking mice and birds, the low branches to provide shade while hunting and how the morning sun will warm the ground for both Billie and Blue together.
It was also a special evening with Roman and Lauren. Lots of swinging, sliding and bubbles after dinner.
A mournful but peaceful evening.
Death and burial go together in the life of a rural pet owner. I noticed different things on my way to the burial site - the length of the grass and how it would be perfect for stalking mice and birds, the low branches to provide shade while hunting and how the morning sun will warm the ground for both Billie and Blue together.
It was also a special evening with Roman and Lauren. Lots of swinging, sliding and bubbles after dinner.
A mournful but peaceful evening.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Round Two
I can scarcely believe already it's been two weeks since our first seeding. Yesterday was finally warm enough again to be out in the garden.
Both kids were happy to help. Roman put popsicle stick markers in for each row and helped push the peas in. Lauren took all the sticks out of the package and stuck them randomly about the garden. Hopefully by next summer she'll remember to stay on the paths and off the worked soil. She's only 2 though and Roman LOVES to remind her...
We put in more greens, spinach, chard and cilantro plus one more row of radishes. In my favourite garden reference book, "The Cook's Garden" from Canadian Gardening, they suggest seeding one short row every week or so for a steady, consumable supply. I've decided to give this a try and see how long it takes for us to get sick of radishes. Since we are neither Doozers who build with them nor Fraggles that eat Doozer creations, I'm going to have to come up with something innovative.
Wonder if anyone would stop to buy radishes roadside?
Both kids were happy to help. Roman put popsicle stick markers in for each row and helped push the peas in. Lauren took all the sticks out of the package and stuck them randomly about the garden. Hopefully by next summer she'll remember to stay on the paths and off the worked soil. She's only 2 though and Roman LOVES to remind her...
We put in more greens, spinach, chard and cilantro plus one more row of radishes. In my favourite garden reference book, "The Cook's Garden" from Canadian Gardening, they suggest seeding one short row every week or so for a steady, consumable supply. I've decided to give this a try and see how long it takes for us to get sick of radishes. Since we are neither Doozers who build with them nor Fraggles that eat Doozer creations, I'm going to have to come up with something innovative.
Wonder if anyone would stop to buy radishes roadside?
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Checking Boxes or, " Walking Away"
This past Thursday included yet another trip south on Highway 6. The highlight of the trip being the Starbucks drive through. Sad isn't it that this was the highlight of the trip?
This was the GI appointment they'd bumped up by a few weeks in response to my request for a gut motility test.
As usual with this particular doctor, it was a long wait. There wasn't anyone else in the waiting area and even the exam room corridor was quiet... I have yet to figure out what exactly makes things run so far behind.
Today the doctor started with his customary line about "I've talked with so-and-so and feel like I know what's going on" which in retrospect leaves so much room for error. I wish I'd clued in instead of being anxious to get on with things so we could get home again.
An interesting twist came when he asked what made me ask/think about about motility as an issue. I replied honestly that some of the other children in our support group have issues (though admittedly, their case of Noonan Syndrome is more significant than ours) and information from our developmental pediatrician that children with syndromes of all sorts often have motility issues and that it was worth pursuing. This seemed to mollify him somewhat. He then launched into how invasive and difficult the tests can be starting the a study of the esophagus and how it's usually something for older children/people. I quickly stated that I didn't believe her esophagus was the problem... that things fermenting in her intestines were the problem.
This generated an odd response - a mix of startle, appreciation and something else - at my use of the word "ferment" or perhaps it was my calm but forceful statement.
He talked about a barium study for the intestines but dismissed it as well as being inconclusive. In his words, if you get the response you want, hooray. If not, people are quick to say it was an off day.
I had earlier explained that part of my request for the study was also to check off a box in the puzzle. To be able to know whether restricting Lauren`s diet is necessary or whether she will continue to have gas issues regardless of what we feed her because her actual digestive system is not working properly.
In the quest to check boxes, then, he suggested we try a two week trial of motility drugs for her stomach and if that was ineffective, a two week trial of mild laxatives for her small intestines. If neither of those work, there is the potential to try antibiotics to manage the overload of bacteria in her small intestines.
I must have had the `why would we do that instead of testing to see if it`s necessary' look on my face because he promptly explained that medical practice is moving towards a 'if you suspect it, treat it and see the results. If you get results, then consider a test to confirm' rather than useless expensive tests that often turn out negative.
Sounds like the Gregory House method of medicine to me.
My ticker-tape face was then broadcasting the 'what the hell do you expect me to say when this wasn't what I came in for?' message. He asked to examine Lauren and while doing so said, "You don't have to decide right now. It's difficult because I'm under time constraints and you're being faced with bigger decisions. I'll write you prescriptions for both and you decide. Call the nurses and let them know if you're doing something."
Acknowledging time constraints. That IS a new one!
In the end, he doesn't think it's a fructose issue as she doesn't have diarrhea but we can try it and see. We should see results within a couple weeks.
I know. Don't remind me. I'll save the conflicting information rant for another day.
We both agree that the stomach emptying is not likely the issue as Lauren's never been one to vomit - ever - but in the interest of checking off all the boxes, we should consider it. The stomach motility drugs also have some serious side effects so I'm reluctant to even entertain that one. The laxatives to move the small intestines along are over the counter and easy to administer which makes it a more realistic option especially since this is most likely the actual area of her body that's causing all the problems.
Which leaves the ball in our court.
We were scheduled for a 3:30 appointment. We left McMaster at 5:30, no test scheduled and $13.00 poorer.
The decisions we face are becoming irrelevant somehow. Do we bother to continue the hunt for a cause or accept the current situation? Lauren IS generally doing better. She's off her reflux medication and some nights is only up once or twice instead of every couple hours. She's not always awake because of gas pains and her diet is pretty reasonable to manage (no dairy, limited obvious sources of fructose).
My drive home included the epiphany that it may now be time to walk away from this particular fight.
I hate the thought of 'giving up'. Dunkley's don't give up. Then I realized it's not 'giving up'.
We are choosing to move forward with Lauren and work with what we know. We are choosing to not be ruled by inept medical care and conflicting information. We are choosing to live with 'not knowing' why or finding a chemical solution. We are choosing to turn our back and walk away.
Walking away is making a choice. It is an action. It is not 'giving up'.
Sometimes walking away IS the solution.
This was the GI appointment they'd bumped up by a few weeks in response to my request for a gut motility test.
As usual with this particular doctor, it was a long wait. There wasn't anyone else in the waiting area and even the exam room corridor was quiet... I have yet to figure out what exactly makes things run so far behind.
Today the doctor started with his customary line about "I've talked with so-and-so and feel like I know what's going on" which in retrospect leaves so much room for error. I wish I'd clued in instead of being anxious to get on with things so we could get home again.
An interesting twist came when he asked what made me ask/think about about motility as an issue. I replied honestly that some of the other children in our support group have issues (though admittedly, their case of Noonan Syndrome is more significant than ours) and information from our developmental pediatrician that children with syndromes of all sorts often have motility issues and that it was worth pursuing. This seemed to mollify him somewhat. He then launched into how invasive and difficult the tests can be starting the a study of the esophagus and how it's usually something for older children/people. I quickly stated that I didn't believe her esophagus was the problem... that things fermenting in her intestines were the problem.
This generated an odd response - a mix of startle, appreciation and something else - at my use of the word "ferment" or perhaps it was my calm but forceful statement.
He talked about a barium study for the intestines but dismissed it as well as being inconclusive. In his words, if you get the response you want, hooray. If not, people are quick to say it was an off day.
I had earlier explained that part of my request for the study was also to check off a box in the puzzle. To be able to know whether restricting Lauren`s diet is necessary or whether she will continue to have gas issues regardless of what we feed her because her actual digestive system is not working properly.
In the quest to check boxes, then, he suggested we try a two week trial of motility drugs for her stomach and if that was ineffective, a two week trial of mild laxatives for her small intestines. If neither of those work, there is the potential to try antibiotics to manage the overload of bacteria in her small intestines.
I must have had the `why would we do that instead of testing to see if it`s necessary' look on my face because he promptly explained that medical practice is moving towards a 'if you suspect it, treat it and see the results. If you get results, then consider a test to confirm' rather than useless expensive tests that often turn out negative.
Sounds like the Gregory House method of medicine to me.
My ticker-tape face was then broadcasting the 'what the hell do you expect me to say when this wasn't what I came in for?' message. He asked to examine Lauren and while doing so said, "You don't have to decide right now. It's difficult because I'm under time constraints and you're being faced with bigger decisions. I'll write you prescriptions for both and you decide. Call the nurses and let them know if you're doing something."
Acknowledging time constraints. That IS a new one!
In the end, he doesn't think it's a fructose issue as she doesn't have diarrhea but we can try it and see. We should see results within a couple weeks.
I know. Don't remind me. I'll save the conflicting information rant for another day.
We both agree that the stomach emptying is not likely the issue as Lauren's never been one to vomit - ever - but in the interest of checking off all the boxes, we should consider it. The stomach motility drugs also have some serious side effects so I'm reluctant to even entertain that one. The laxatives to move the small intestines along are over the counter and easy to administer which makes it a more realistic option especially since this is most likely the actual area of her body that's causing all the problems.
Which leaves the ball in our court.
We were scheduled for a 3:30 appointment. We left McMaster at 5:30, no test scheduled and $13.00 poorer.
The decisions we face are becoming irrelevant somehow. Do we bother to continue the hunt for a cause or accept the current situation? Lauren IS generally doing better. She's off her reflux medication and some nights is only up once or twice instead of every couple hours. She's not always awake because of gas pains and her diet is pretty reasonable to manage (no dairy, limited obvious sources of fructose).
My drive home included the epiphany that it may now be time to walk away from this particular fight.
I hate the thought of 'giving up'. Dunkley's don't give up. Then I realized it's not 'giving up'.
We are choosing to move forward with Lauren and work with what we know. We are choosing to not be ruled by inept medical care and conflicting information. We are choosing to live with 'not knowing' why or finding a chemical solution. We are choosing to turn our back and walk away.
Walking away is making a choice. It is an action. It is not 'giving up'.
Sometimes walking away IS the solution.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A day in the sun
Future photographer
Radishes!
Snap peas peeking
Dirty feet
Dirty face to match dirty feet
Monday, April 12, 2010
Fraggles would be happy
The weather was pretty sketchy this week - cold, drizzly, wet snow... But that hasn't stopped the mesclun mix, spinach and radishes from popping up. We don't eat a lot of radishes but there's always a first time and the instant gratification you get from them can't be beat (beet?) in a Zone 5 garden.
Yesterday was finally warm and sunny again so Roman helped pull some weeds from the path and waited anxiously to help plant the potatoes. Unfortunately it was just too long waiting for the potato area to be tilled again and for me to come back after yet another potty break for Lauren. By the time I was ready to put the potatoes in, he was off onto another task, happy to play on the slide or with his trucks instead.
He was almost as excited as me to see the greens showing their little heads. We're working on his memory skills and being able to pass on information such as, "Tell Papa what plants are growing". He's excited to share the news, just can't remember what the news is without a little help. It'll get there. He is only four after all.
Today the spring theme continues for him at school with "Show and Share" day. The teacher asked kids to bring things about spring that can go on the science table. Roman and I decided that a robin nest from last year would be cool so we retrieved it from the hedge climbing under the deck. We'll see if the nest and/or the container we sent it in come home or if he remembers to leave them at school.
Regardless, he was pretty happy this morning. He had a window seat on the bus and, for the first time since he started last fall, he looked out the window and gave me a wave and a huge smile.
He just keeps growing up.
Yesterday was finally warm and sunny again so Roman helped pull some weeds from the path and waited anxiously to help plant the potatoes. Unfortunately it was just too long waiting for the potato area to be tilled again and for me to come back after yet another potty break for Lauren. By the time I was ready to put the potatoes in, he was off onto another task, happy to play on the slide or with his trucks instead.
He was almost as excited as me to see the greens showing their little heads. We're working on his memory skills and being able to pass on information such as, "Tell Papa what plants are growing". He's excited to share the news, just can't remember what the news is without a little help. It'll get there. He is only four after all.
Today the spring theme continues for him at school with "Show and Share" day. The teacher asked kids to bring things about spring that can go on the science table. Roman and I decided that a robin nest from last year would be cool so we retrieved it from the hedge climbing under the deck. We'll see if the nest and/or the container we sent it in come home or if he remembers to leave them at school.
Regardless, he was pretty happy this morning. He had a window seat on the bus and, for the first time since he started last fall, he looked out the window and gave me a wave and a huge smile.
He just keeps growing up.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
It was bound to happen eventually...
Finally. An appointment worth attending. A journey worth making.
Ironically, I had anticipated it being a complete waste of time.
Today we had an appointment with the allergist for Lauren's dietary issues. When going dairy free lessened some of Lauren's gas issues, I asked our pediatrician about next steps. In response, he referred us to the same allergist we saw for Roman's egg white allergy.
The doctor is in Hamilton, not far from McMaster so a familiar drive. I think Lauren was a bit confused when we turned right on Main Street instead of left.
We didn't have long to wait before Chantal-the-assistant took Lauren's stats and set her up for the skin prick test. Collectively, Chantal and I decided to omit the test for air born allergens and widen the scope of the food based drops. The standard substances are milk, egg, soy, peanuts etc to which we added meats (beef, chicken, turkey and pork) and grains (oats, rice, barley and one more I've forgotten).
And surprise surprise, she's not allergic to anything.
Great. So we've dotted some i's and crossed some t's. Guess we can go home now so why exactly are we waiting to see the doctor?
What I didn't expect was the time Dr. O spent actually asking questions, listening to my answers and proposing alternative diagnoses.
As a side note, on the recommendation of Aunt Barb, I read "How Doctors Think" which has some valuable insight into how a misdiagnoses can happen, how doctors' thinking get shaped by how the information is presented and so on.
With this in mind, I made sure to begin our story with Lauren's severe gas pains starting from the moment she was born. That and I kept it very straightforward - gas pains, dairy free changes, back to gas pains but less often.
Based on her symptoms being gastrointestinal only, no hives, no vomiting, etc, plus our negative celiac test, Dr. O very clearly said we can rule out a food allergy.
We moved on to discuss food intolerances. He immediately explained Lauren's symptoms as a result of fermentation. This we knew but he presented it in a way that I didn't bother me that we were reviewing information I already had. The primary / most common culprit for this sort of fermentation and Lauren's bloating symptoms are carbohydrate based - lactose or fructose being the top of the list.
Hmm. Lactose? But didn't you already try lactose free milk?
Yep we did and I questioned this specifically. Dr. O smiled in that way that says, 'you've been mislead by someone and I'd like to have a word with them on your behalf' and said something along the lines of lactose free products not really cutting it. The lactose is still there, it just comes with the necessary enzyme for breakdown. The only way to really get lactose out of a diet is for dairy to be eliminated altogether.
Hmmm. Interesting.
Next we discussed fructose. I was very careful to question whether fructose could be an issue when Lauren was taking only breast-milk. Our dietitians have said no but he very quickly said yes.
Here's where the conversation was enlightening.
If Lauren was having a problem digesting proteins, we'd see it in her stool - it would be slimy and have green to it like snot. Nope. None of that making the protein angle unlikely.
We discussed how, if it is a carb issue, that it could be both lactose and fructose which would certainly explain why things haven't improved completely.
Dr. O also pondered, to himself mostly, about slow motility being a factor. This, if nothing else, was an oddly happy moment for me.
A doctor, who knows what he's talking about, actually listening to me and not once suggesting that what we're going through is normal, that she'll grow out of it, that there's nothing that can be done.
oh. Oh! OH! get this! when we were discussing how to try a fructose free diet, he turned from the google search he was doing on my behalf and said, "You know, in the 'old days', this was dismissed and called colic..." Cue angels and bright lights.
oh. Oh! OH! and in another moment of angel choirs and heavenly beaming, he asked if we'd tried any gas remedies, including the phrase, "I'm sure you have but..." and ending with "but that's just treating a symptom. I'd rather find the cause..."
So finally I come home from an appointment where I didn't pay for parking, plus received information I wasn't expecting and really appreciate AND finally have a knowledgeable medical professional I can add to the GI/food team that I'm truly happy to have there to keep Liz company.
Now we consider how to tackle a fructose free diet, do we tackle a fructose free diet or do we wait until next Thursday when we see Captain GI about a motility test and pick his brain about going fructose free.
Given my new found knowledge, both from Dr. O and from "How Doctors Think", next Thursday could be verrrrry interesting...
Ironically, I had anticipated it being a complete waste of time.
Today we had an appointment with the allergist for Lauren's dietary issues. When going dairy free lessened some of Lauren's gas issues, I asked our pediatrician about next steps. In response, he referred us to the same allergist we saw for Roman's egg white allergy.
The doctor is in Hamilton, not far from McMaster so a familiar drive. I think Lauren was a bit confused when we turned right on Main Street instead of left.
We didn't have long to wait before Chantal-the-assistant took Lauren's stats and set her up for the skin prick test. Collectively, Chantal and I decided to omit the test for air born allergens and widen the scope of the food based drops. The standard substances are milk, egg, soy, peanuts etc to which we added meats (beef, chicken, turkey and pork) and grains (oats, rice, barley and one more I've forgotten).
And surprise surprise, she's not allergic to anything.
Great. So we've dotted some i's and crossed some t's. Guess we can go home now so why exactly are we waiting to see the doctor?
What I didn't expect was the time Dr. O spent actually asking questions, listening to my answers and proposing alternative diagnoses.
As a side note, on the recommendation of Aunt Barb, I read "How Doctors Think" which has some valuable insight into how a misdiagnoses can happen, how doctors' thinking get shaped by how the information is presented and so on.
With this in mind, I made sure to begin our story with Lauren's severe gas pains starting from the moment she was born. That and I kept it very straightforward - gas pains, dairy free changes, back to gas pains but less often.
Based on her symptoms being gastrointestinal only, no hives, no vomiting, etc, plus our negative celiac test, Dr. O very clearly said we can rule out a food allergy.
We moved on to discuss food intolerances. He immediately explained Lauren's symptoms as a result of fermentation. This we knew but he presented it in a way that I didn't bother me that we were reviewing information I already had. The primary / most common culprit for this sort of fermentation and Lauren's bloating symptoms are carbohydrate based - lactose or fructose being the top of the list.
Hmm. Lactose? But didn't you already try lactose free milk?
Yep we did and I questioned this specifically. Dr. O smiled in that way that says, 'you've been mislead by someone and I'd like to have a word with them on your behalf' and said something along the lines of lactose free products not really cutting it. The lactose is still there, it just comes with the necessary enzyme for breakdown. The only way to really get lactose out of a diet is for dairy to be eliminated altogether.
Hmmm. Interesting.
Next we discussed fructose. I was very careful to question whether fructose could be an issue when Lauren was taking only breast-milk. Our dietitians have said no but he very quickly said yes.
Here's where the conversation was enlightening.
If Lauren was having a problem digesting proteins, we'd see it in her stool - it would be slimy and have green to it like snot. Nope. None of that making the protein angle unlikely.
We discussed how, if it is a carb issue, that it could be both lactose and fructose which would certainly explain why things haven't improved completely.
Dr. O also pondered, to himself mostly, about slow motility being a factor. This, if nothing else, was an oddly happy moment for me.
A doctor, who knows what he's talking about, actually listening to me and not once suggesting that what we're going through is normal, that she'll grow out of it, that there's nothing that can be done.
oh. Oh! OH! get this! when we were discussing how to try a fructose free diet, he turned from the google search he was doing on my behalf and said, "You know, in the 'old days', this was dismissed and called colic..." Cue angels and bright lights.
oh. Oh! OH! and in another moment of angel choirs and heavenly beaming, he asked if we'd tried any gas remedies, including the phrase, "I'm sure you have but..." and ending with "but that's just treating a symptom. I'd rather find the cause..."
So finally I come home from an appointment where I didn't pay for parking, plus received information I wasn't expecting and really appreciate AND finally have a knowledgeable medical professional I can add to the GI/food team that I'm truly happy to have there to keep Liz company.
Now we consider how to tackle a fructose free diet, do we tackle a fructose free diet or do we wait until next Thursday when we see Captain GI about a motility test and pick his brain about going fructose free.
Given my new found knowledge, both from Dr. O and from "How Doctors Think", next Thursday could be verrrrry interesting...
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Of birds, kids and rototillers...
To quote one of Roman's favourite Clifford books, "What a fun day. What a fun day in the sun."
Most of the cedar rail fence has been mended, the herb garden cleared and you can literally watch the garlic, and Roman, growing.
Today really was a beautiful day. Roman and Lauren blew bubbles:
"Gi-normous!" bubbles according to Roman - then helped in the garden.
As proof of how mild this winter was, we found three small rows of green onions looking green and onion-y. They're still the size I remember them last fall, which was too small to harvest, but with the mild weather and sun predicted for the coming week, we might have a delicious surprise on the way. I also found beets! A dozen plants from our late August experiment wintered over beautifully. Both the onions and the beets have been transplanted into the newly tilled earth and will be watched with anticipation.
I was thrilled with how well Roman and Lauren got along today. Minimal squabbling, minimal timeouts especially once we were outside... for three hours...not counting the hour before lunch (which was take out pizza as a special family day treat). Plus they take their role as supervisors very seriously.
Now I need to revise my garden map and keep Roman patient. Tomorrow we seed lettuce, spinach, chard, snap peas, radishes and perhaps some cilantro and more beets. If the plot is ready, the potatoes (red, yukon and boiling) and onions (red, white and green) will go in too. Mr Man though just can't wait to get the corn on the go. It's going to be a challenge to make him wait another 6 weeks for that.
It will be our first time growing sweet corn and I've decided to plant corn, pole beans and squash together as it was historically done. The corn acts as a support to the beans, the beans anchor, protect and feed the corn while the squash shades the ground for both. It can't hurt and it will maximize the space we have.
So far the garden plan includes the already mentioned veggies, plus carrots, bok choi, summer squash, bush beans, brussels sprouts, hot peppers and lots of herbs. Tomatoes, tomatillos and sweet peppers are yet to be decided. We still have a pantry full of last years tomatillo salsas. We also have a lot of tomatoes left from the bushel we had to buy when our crop was decimated by blight (as was most of southern Ontario's). It's the second year of four that we've had blight problems so I'm not sure I'm ready to sacrifice valuable garden space for the potential of nothing.
The tomatillos always do well for me but if I don't need any this year, is it, again, a good use of limited space? I think for tomatoes I may purchase a few plants to go in buckets near the house. We'll then have a few days worth of fresh to enjoy but not the pressure to produce enough for canning. Same for the tomatillos - four plants started from seed a few weeks from now should cover us this season.
Last year at this time we were still digging out. This year we're happily digging in.
And for the record, Lauren, unlike Roman, LOVES to get dirty. She had her crocs off in the herb garden and was dumping soil onto her bare toes (and head, and me) by the handful. In this, Roman might actually follow her example. It took a bit longer but eventually he too had his bare feet in the earth.
Most of the cedar rail fence has been mended, the herb garden cleared and you can literally watch the garlic, and Roman, growing.
Today really was a beautiful day. Roman and Lauren blew bubbles:
"Gi-normous!" bubbles according to Roman - then helped in the garden.
As proof of how mild this winter was, we found three small rows of green onions looking green and onion-y. They're still the size I remember them last fall, which was too small to harvest, but with the mild weather and sun predicted for the coming week, we might have a delicious surprise on the way. I also found beets! A dozen plants from our late August experiment wintered over beautifully. Both the onions and the beets have been transplanted into the newly tilled earth and will be watched with anticipation.
I was thrilled with how well Roman and Lauren got along today. Minimal squabbling, minimal timeouts especially once we were outside... for three hours...not counting the hour before lunch (which was take out pizza as a special family day treat). Plus they take their role as supervisors very seriously.
Now I need to revise my garden map and keep Roman patient. Tomorrow we seed lettuce, spinach, chard, snap peas, radishes and perhaps some cilantro and more beets. If the plot is ready, the potatoes (red, yukon and boiling) and onions (red, white and green) will go in too. Mr Man though just can't wait to get the corn on the go. It's going to be a challenge to make him wait another 6 weeks for that.
It will be our first time growing sweet corn and I've decided to plant corn, pole beans and squash together as it was historically done. The corn acts as a support to the beans, the beans anchor, protect and feed the corn while the squash shades the ground for both. It can't hurt and it will maximize the space we have.
So far the garden plan includes the already mentioned veggies, plus carrots, bok choi, summer squash, bush beans, brussels sprouts, hot peppers and lots of herbs. Tomatoes, tomatillos and sweet peppers are yet to be decided. We still have a pantry full of last years tomatillo salsas. We also have a lot of tomatoes left from the bushel we had to buy when our crop was decimated by blight (as was most of southern Ontario's). It's the second year of four that we've had blight problems so I'm not sure I'm ready to sacrifice valuable garden space for the potential of nothing.
The tomatillos always do well for me but if I don't need any this year, is it, again, a good use of limited space? I think for tomatoes I may purchase a few plants to go in buckets near the house. We'll then have a few days worth of fresh to enjoy but not the pressure to produce enough for canning. Same for the tomatillos - four plants started from seed a few weeks from now should cover us this season.
Last year at this time we were still digging out. This year we're happily digging in.
And for the record, Lauren, unlike Roman, LOVES to get dirty. She had her crocs off in the herb garden and was dumping soil onto her bare toes (and head, and me) by the handful. In this, Roman might actually follow her example. It took a bit longer but eventually he too had his bare feet in the earth.
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