Sunday, May 12, 2013

Saturday in May


This is what a perfect Saturday in May in Taos looks like:

Start the morning at the first Taos Farmers' Market of the year.  While there is not a lot of fresh produce yet, there were plenty of greens, carrots, spring garlic, fresh baked goods, honey, grass fed beef, pork and lamb, eggs, and veggie starts.

spring garlic


After shopping at the market it is off to brunch at a new favorite, Old Martina's Hall in Ranchos de Taos.  This building has such amazing history and restoring the building and opening the restaurant was a multi-year struggle.  Read about the history here.  If you plan to visit Taos, do make a stop here for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Peter had the steak and eggs

I had the huevos rancheros with red chile (delicious)

After brunch we wandered across the street to visit St Francisco de Asis Church, the iconic Catholic church that was built in the late 1700's.  You will find many paintings and photographs of this beautiful building but, if you get the chance, visit in person.



While in St Francis Plaza, we visited one of our favorite galleries...Two Graces.  They had an antique 7 foot cross for sale at an unbelievable price.  I instantly fell in love and knew it would be perfect in our dining room.  (This makes loads of sense if you live in an old adobe in Taos).  We snapped it up and had the interesting experience of loading it in the jeep, carrying it in the house and placing on a banco between the vigas for support. (banco is a built-in plastered bench, typically in front of kiva fireplaces, along low walls, and under windows. Vigas are large (6- to 12-plus inches in diameter) usually peeled round logs used as ceiling beams regularly spaced across the width of the room. In traditional Southwestern architecture, the exposed interior vigas, along with latillas, decking, or even plaster, form a strong design element at the ceiling. A classic feature of Santa Fe style, they often are exposed outside, too, protruding through the exterior walls.)* courtesy Su Casa magazine.  

The cross looks perfect, we are well fed and stocked with food for the weekend and it is only 1:00 pm.  I think we will get the dog and go on a hike...or check out the craft fair....or drive up to Arroyo Secco...so many choices.  I love Taos!



my best,
diane
May 11, 2013

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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Bud break in Taos

flowering trees, may 2013
So, yesterday was May 1st.  May Day. A day celebrating Springtime...green grass, flowers blooming, spring produce like asparagus, peas, greens, fava beans, strawberries, green garlic, leeks, rhubarb...you get the point.  A result of all that "April Showers bring May flowers" lore.  Except if you live in Taos, New Mexico.  At an elevation of 7000 feet and zone 4-5 we are a bit (ok, a lot) behind what I am used to from California.  In fact I have to learn a whole new way to garden.
bud break, late april 2013
I have been taking a series of classes from Melinda at Morning Star Farm, located in Arroyo Secco, just a few miles from the town of Taos.  The classes have covered topics such as:

GARDEN BASICS
Location, setting up a new garden, or continuing on with an existing plot. Water, soil preparation, soil fertility, compost ideas and suggestions.

WHAT TO PLANT & WHEN TO PLANT IT, here in the Taos Valley

SEASON EXTENSION TECHNIQUES
Get started earlier in the season and grow crops late into the fall with these ideas and suggestions.



greenhouse-Morning Star Farm April 2013
The main points of gardening in Taos seem to be plant later (or build a greenhouse)...row covers till summer...then shade cloths for just about everything.  We combat cold weather till May or June (it sometimes snows in May here), a short growing season, loads of sun in July and August and wind, wind, wind.  Otherwise, growing conditions are perfect.
notes from my class reflect what grows, when to plant and how to care for  Spring and Summer produce in Taos

That last bit of sarcasm is not really warranted   Our farmers' market is packed with amazing produce from May through October (same as Napa).  There are beautiful gardens throughout the county.  I recently joined Los Jardineros Garden Club of Taos, which was formed in 1949.  Each month there is a meeting featuring a guest speaker or a tour of local gardens.  I look forward to telling you more about this wonderful organization in future posts.
The hollyhock was selected as the official flower of Los Jardineros in 1949, the first year of the club. Members collected hollyhock seeds for planting along streets, alleyways, and throughout the countryside around Taos. (from the Los Jardineros website)





Currently our yard is dirt and has not been gardened in 30 years.  This is part of the property that we just bought...adjacent to our home...and containing the ruin I have discussed in previous posts.  We are just starting to plan the restoration, addition and landscaping projects that will take the next few years to complete.  We will probably not be able to start the garden until next year.  Until then I will dream, learn as much as I can about gardening in this zone, climate & elevation, visit as many public and private gardens as I can, and share with you the beauty that is Summer and Fall  (Winter & Spring) in Taos, New Mexico.  

Happy May!  What is growing in your area this month?



my best,
diane
May 3, 2013  

follow me on facebook

please visit my other blogs
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green? 


We now have a twitter account @dianeintaos. Please follow and I will follow back! Would love to get to know you on Facebook, Twitter and through your comments on this blog.