Sunday, March 29, 2009

Taking It Outside

First let me explain my situation. I'm from MI but live in NC now. I moved down here at the end of September 2007. I went back to MI for the following summer 08' and returned to NC in September of 08'. I will be leaving again for MI the first week of May to begin my job again as an Orchard Scout.

While here in NC I take whatever job I can find, usually retail. With the job market being so bad it is hard to find anything good but luckily I get to say goodbye to retail this week! I found a job at a small greenhouse operation. Finally, I get to be outside beneath the sun instead of under fluorescent lites surrounded by a sea of messy clothing.

Today was my first day at Fred's greenhouses. I potted up lots of little seedlings including Thyme, Lemon Balm, Parsley, chives, Bronze Fennel, Lamium, Swiss Chard, and a few others I cannot recall. I have my first sun burn of the season on my arms and my fingernails were good and dirty!

The plants that I will be potting up!


Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights"


Thyme and Garlic Chives




I will also be helping to run his booth at the Piedmont Farmers Market. I'm looking forward to this experience since it's something I intend to do myself in the future. I will work for Fred until I leave in May for MI. I will return in September and hopefully begin work for Fred again. I am very excited about this new learning experience at the farm markets. Its going to be a nice spring!

17 comments:

Heather said...

That looks like a lot of fun. I would give anything right about now for a little dirt under my fingernails. OK, not one particular fingernail, but the other nine would be great:D
Good luck with the new job!
-Heather

Sunny said...

That is soooo great that you got a new job with something you love to do!

Oh my, jobs in two states? You are a go-getter! Brave one too. Michigan is so pretty in the Spring and Summer. :)

Be safe, and much good luck to you!

Joanne said...

Wow, it sounds like you landed the perfect job, doing what you love! Congrats! I'll bet when you were potting all those little seedlings, it didn't even feel like a job. Enjoy!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

What fun! Congratulations!

tina said...

What fun! Sounds like the ideal job for a gardener indeed.

Northern Shade said...

Congratulations on the new job. It looks like satisfying work, and you will be learning the skills for something you want to do. Have fun in the fresh air and sunshine.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

That sounds and looks great. It's nice to find a job doing something you enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Very cool for you. I know you are tired as that is hard work.

Unknown said...

Yes the fresh air does a body good. That looks like fun to me!

Unknown said...

For being work it sure doesn't feel like it. Its so nice to be back outside. Its not the many hours or much money but happiness is more important. My Orchard Scouting job is good money though. I wouldn't mind turning that into my own business someday.

Becca's Dirt said...

Looks you'll be busy working and enjoying it at the same time. How nice. Good luck and enjoy the sun. I am stuck in all day so I really enjoy it when I get out. You have a nice blog.

Helen/patientgardener said...

What a satisfying job - why do you go to MI in the summer?

Dirt Princess said...

I would love to work out in the dirt all day...what a pleasure it would be :). Looks like you are having a lot of fun learning! Can't wait to read about your upcoming ventures.

Jeph said...

This sure looks like a lot of fun! Just think of all those little babies you're potting up to send home with people in such a short period of time!

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

So will you keep us posted over the summer on what you are up to? It would interesting to hear about the orchard scout job.

Randy Emmitt said...

Looks like fun work! Likely you'll learn a few things working there as wel.
The Swiss Chard looks so yummy. Had some store bought for dinner tonight.

Gardeness said...

I often think I should do something like this to gain better knowledge. What a great way to spend time, getting paid to dig in the dirt and plant! Hope you're still loving it.