February 2011 / The to-do list

Welcome to National Pie Month!  February is also national Chocolate month, Pancake Month, Snack Food Month, and Canned Food Month. At the other end of the spectrum, it is also Grapefruit Month and Cherry Month.

Imbolc / Brigid / The Feast of First Fires; February 1st. This is a pagan holiday celebrating the end of Yuletime and the renewed day lengths.

Candlemas : February 1st.

Groundhog Day : February 2nd.

Chinese New Year - the Year of the Rabbit :  February 3rd.

Random Acts of Kindness Week starts : February 12th

we couldn't resist:
 pie month, cherry
month - y'know.

Valentine's Day : February 14th.

National Chocolate Mint Day : February 19th

National Tortilla Chip Day : February 24th.

National Pistachio Day : February 26th.

National Pancake Week starts : February 26th

         Budding & Blooming 

Fruit trees are budding now! Especially cherry, almond, plum, and apricots.

In Season Now



the to-do list jan.2011

January means a brand-new start with a brand-new year!
2011 has been declared the International Yearof Forests, and also the Year of the Vegetable!

January is National Oatmeal Month and International Creativity Month

the 9th is Word Nerd Day.

This month is when White Sales traditionally take place.  The prices are better than usual, and it offers a chance to stock up on bedding items.  Plain sheets come in handy for the garden (collecting seeds, covering frost-tender plants), and blankets can be found for reasonable prices - they're nice for pets.  Quilts can be used for picnics and tailgaiting & stargazing parties, and stowed away for use as charming Christmas tree skirts! Bedding of all sorts work as tablecloths, especially sheets as shown in the photo at left. Also look for towels, rugs, and curtains on sale.

Want to grow your own food this year? Get started now!  Seed catalogs begin mailing out now, as well as livestock, poultry, and beekeeping catalogs for your forays into the animal end of producing your own foods and goods. 

Bare Root plants arrive at nurseries this month.  Available are fruit trees, shade trees, and ornamental shrubs. Toward the end of the month, the prices will be drastically reduced, but shop now for the best selection.
For some sources of seeds, see our story: Seed Sources.
EVENTS:
4-8 NorthAmerican Beekeeping Conference, Galveston, Texas

6-7 Sustainability Across the Curriculum Leadership Workshop, Atlanta

Citrus Tasting
January 29, 2011 1-3 PM
133 Encinal Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 650) 325-5612

IN SEASON NOW

[Tangerines]

Citrus!
Specifically tangerines, clementines, lemons, and oranges.
Greens; Chard, Spinach, Lettuce, Cabbage, etc.
Beets
Turnip
Rutabega
Rosehips
Asparagus