Contributor Theresa Gould’s latest update on her organic farming learning experience.  A husband, wife and their seven children team up and start planting the seeds…

As many of you may know, we are well into our first growing season.  I started to write an update a while ago and just never got it typed up.  We have been incredibly busy, to say the least.

First, let me share that we are indeed gleaning from the fruits of our labor.  I think this may be the most exciting part for the children.  Harvesting is like a treasure hunt to them and has made all the work worthwhile.  One of our sons last week said, “I used to hate the garden, but now I love it because I love zucchini!”  What he means is that he loves the zucchini cake that his sisters bake for our family!

We are currently harvesting Swiss chard, kale, peas, beans, cucumbers, summer squash, zucchini, onions, lettuce and some tomatoes are almost ready.  Our radishes are done; soon we’ll have sugar baby watermelon – yummy!

It has been a lot of hard work. Even my husband, who never thought of himself as a farmer, has said that it has been fun and enjoyable, but hard work.  He has thoroughly enjoyed learning to drive and use the tractor that our farmer “landlord” has let us use freely this whole season.  I drove it once or twice to see if I could do it and so I’d know how to, but otherwise I let him go to it because I know it’s “his” thing.  I was and still am content to weed, plant and direct the children.

The Learning Curve
As beginner farmers we have had our own learning curve.  We were very disappointed not to have much lettuce (we planted quite a variety), carrots, pumpkins, beets, cauliflower or cabbage come up.  Due to our late start, we direct planted most of our seeds, but will not do that next year.  We plan to start earlier and begin planting inside, in February.

We are still learning how to deal with the pests and disease that can attack vegetables.  However, to be honest, so far they have caused minimal damage.  We have been using a solution with essential oils and water and spraying it on our plants and I think it has really helped.

Looking Ahead
We are looking ahead to doing some fall planting, with seeds already sprouted in our mini indoor greenhouses.  This is in preparation for the future, as we may try a couple of small farmers’ markets that have the least amount of commitment (a day or two here and there) so we can get our name out there and our foot in the door for next year’s growing season.  We do have a farm name in the works and will share it as soon as it is official!

Talk about serendipity!  The day I moved into a new apartment I happened to receive a complimentary bottle of Eco Clean Kitchen Counter Top – for the purposes of this review.

So I immediately put it to the test.  I’ve been spraying it on every kitchen cabinet, shelf and counter top surface for the past several days and in a word, it’s fantastic.  Scented with essential oils, the Orange & Rosemary cleaner smells so good, it could almost be used as an air freshner.

Made in Denmark, the land of highly eco and energy minded individuals, the non-toxic Eco Clean line is free from parabens, phosphates, bleach, ammonia and petro chemicals.  It’s cleaning power is derived from plant and sugar based surfactants – specifically, fatty acids of sugar beets, (D-Glucopyranose) a sustainable, renewable, readily biodegradable plant.

In addition to the products in the photo below, Bathroom Cleaner, Dish Wash and Hand Wash round out the Eco Clean product line.

According to the company, “D-Glucopyranose has exceptional detergency properties even on oily and cosmetic stains.”  Danish scientist Jens Erik Hansen toiled for five years perfecting their proprietary formula called Active Eco Boost (AEB), a natural amino acid derivative.

Eco Clean is packaged in fully recyclable PET (recycled plastic) spray heads and bottles.  The bottles are also fully biodegradable.  To top it off, the nozzle is rather nifty — it features a special foaming option, as well as the usual spray setting.

Cleaning is easy.  Shake the bottle, spray Eco Clean on surface and wipe with a dry cloth.  No rinsing necessary.  The stuff really works.  We give Eco Clean a definite, green thumbs up.

Find, ($4.49) at Alice.com and Duane Reade stores.  Or checkout their Facebook page for more info.

When decorating, nothing beats July’s home furnishings sales.  VivaTerra has an Extra Green Sale now going on right now and it ends tomorrow, July 20.  You can save an extra 10% on over 50 sale items like the recycled plastic Tape Measure Mat and the Mini Stone Hooks made from New England river stones, (pictured above, L to R).  Look for the “extra green” tag on select sale items and enter promo code:  GREEN710 at checkout to receive the Extra Green savings.

What better way to protect your beloved new iPad than with an earth-friendly, bamboo Shellcase?  Vers handcrafts these handsome cases out of your choice of: cherry, walnut, or bamboo.

The Shellcase comes with a metal foot for viewing movies, videos, or typing at a more comfy angle.  Features openings for chargers an inputs, a scratch resistant lining and a moisture and UV resistant outer finish.

For every tree they use in manufacturing, Vers plants 100 in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation.

$79.99 @ the vers website

• Seepage is never a good thing.  Well Testing Continues: Feds Get BP’s Answers on Seep – cnn
• This is not a story about childhood obesity…Ice Age Baby Mammoth on Display at French Museum – myway
• Airport security?  How does one go about concealing 400 turtles in one’s luggage? Smuggled Rare Madagascar Tortoises Seized in Malaysia – bbc
• ‘Super Skimmer’ a Giant Bust in Gulf Cleanup – msnbc
• Extra pincer…Freak Lobster Leaves ‘Em Shell-Shocked – boston herald
• Oil industry news from around the world…China Seals Oil Port After Spill – reuters
• Today’s best headline…Cops: Horned Man Tries to Run Over Landlord in Minivan – aol news

Looking for some lightweight hemp or organic cotton threads?  There’s a summer clearance sale going on at NaturevsFuture.com this week only, (7/17-7/24). Receive 40% all styles, including items already on sale.  Just enter code JULY/EXCLUSIVE at checkout.

Here’s another great deal – these zippy-looking Sprout watches which feature:  a corn resin case and buckle, bamboo dial, mercury free battery, quartz movement and vegetable dyed organic cotton strap.  Perhaps the perfect summer gift for you or that special someone?

marked down from $30 to $24 @ amazon.com

The next time you’re entertaining your pack of miscreants and eco-cronies, lighten up the atmosphere around your deck or pool area with some cordless solar powered lanterns.

(above and at right) – These snazzy Soji Lanterns are available in six vibrant colors and can be suspended or perched on a surface.

A solar panel collects energy from sunlight and charges a ‘AAA’ battery, when day turns to dusk a photo sensor automatically turns on the lantern. The Soji Lantern is designed to glow for several hours and then recharge itself the next day. Each Soji Lantern is 10” in diameter and constructed of nylon for year round use.

Available @ $17.99 each @ rittenhouse.ca

(above) Moonlight Solar Lanterns, which require 2 LEDs (consuming less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs) and a AAA rechargeable battery, are also available in either Nylon, ($18.95/each); or Silk, ($26.95/ea) @ gardenbasket.com.

(above) These Modern Soji each feature a little solar panel and 2 amber LED bulbs. Round out your sustainable style – just add organic cocktails.

the 9″x9″ lanterns come in 3 patterns and go for $34.99 – $39.99 each @ allsopgarden.com

This week’s small edited collection of personal faves deliver relaxed yet stylish looks for strutting your buff stuff this summer.

• Casual design wear is featured at naiveboutique.com.  I’m loving Stewart + Brown’s Antheia Tunic, ($154) which is 100% organic cotton, made in the USA and machine washable. (above, L)
• (above, R) Very eco chic. The gorgeous blue Lav & Kush Lola dress – made in Vancouver, Canada, silk voile ($145).

• (above) At the UK-based Natural Store, you’ll find this lovely Kiab handprinted, pink paisley organic cotton skirt, (£75).  Feminine but not too frilly, thanks to the lovely cut and print.

• (above) If you’ve got the figure, flaunt it.  Awesome original screen print, “forest” – organic cotton leggings with 10% Spandex for stretchability, ($90) @ Etsy. Hey, we only live once…

Remember to love what you have, and only acquire what you need…Have a beautiful weekend.

Related:  more friday finds here