Well, I guess we are almost through July so I should post another garden update! I am super, super happy with the way my garden has worked out. Most of it was mulched in June, so I've done precious little weeding since then. We put up some cattle panels to keep my vining vegetables under control, and I also cut down my seeding carrots after finding out that they cross-pollinate with wild carrots (Queen Anne's Lace). Whoops.
I told Hubs the other day that it feels like I'm neglecting my garden because I don't go work in it every day. I venture out a couple times a week to pick produce and check up on everything. Once or twice a week I try to do some cosmetic weeding, but the garden is fully functional without babying from me.
I did a much better job this year of keeping things manageable. I planted LESS of what I couldn't freeze or can (cucumbers, lettuce, yellow squash) and MORE of things like peppers, tomatoes, beans and peas. I did make a few mistakes with the garden layout. For example, I planted 15 large sprawling pea vines in the middle of everything. They covered my corn, they covered my basil, they covered the green beans. Also, I underestimated the "sprawl effect" of tomatoes as well, and these have overpowered the pepper plants that were planted with them. Now I know that any companion plants of tomatoes should be tall and fast-growing.
Financially, gardening is a great deal. I'm amazed at everything I have grown for about $20 ($10 seed starter and $10 seeds). My pride and joy is my basil. Last year in desperation I bought a basil plant for $4 late in the season. Fresh basil at the store is something like $4 per handful, so the plant was still a good deal. This year I started seeds. Most of the sprouts died, unfortunately, but eight survived to maturity. These seedlings have grown larger than the plant I purchased last year. I got eight times the value for half the price! Crazy.
I told Hubs the other day that it feels like I'm neglecting my garden because I don't go work in it every day. I venture out a couple times a week to pick produce and check up on everything. Once or twice a week I try to do some cosmetic weeding, but the garden is fully functional without babying from me.
I did a much better job this year of keeping things manageable. I planted LESS of what I couldn't freeze or can (cucumbers, lettuce, yellow squash) and MORE of things like peppers, tomatoes, beans and peas. I did make a few mistakes with the garden layout. For example, I planted 15 large sprawling pea vines in the middle of everything. They covered my corn, they covered my basil, they covered the green beans. Also, I underestimated the "sprawl effect" of tomatoes as well, and these have overpowered the pepper plants that were planted with them. Now I know that any companion plants of tomatoes should be tall and fast-growing.
Financially, gardening is a great deal. I'm amazed at everything I have grown for about $20 ($10 seed starter and $10 seeds). My pride and joy is my basil. Last year in desperation I bought a basil plant for $4 late in the season. Fresh basil at the store is something like $4 per handful, so the plant was still a good deal. This year I started seeds. Most of the sprouts died, unfortunately, but eight survived to maturity. These seedlings have grown larger than the plant I purchased last year. I got eight times the value for half the price! Crazy.
Seeds are such a fantastic deal. Not only do they cost pennies at the store, but if you learn to save them, you can have FREE seeds! But even if you stick to buying seeds, they can be stored for years. This year I bought a $0.20 packet of cucumbers and planted only three seeds. That 20 cents will pay for my cucumbers for the next two years. Same thing with squash, lettuce, herbs and other plants.
In addition to basil, I also planted hot peppers and mustard from seed. The mustard has seed pods, and the hot peppers have small green peppers on them.
My tomatoes are sprawling all over the place and growing little green tomatoes. This year I grew Romas and Beefsteaks, with a few volunteer plants of unknown origin. I've noticed that many of the Roma tomatoes are suffering from Blossom End Rot, which is apparently common for that variety. BER is caused by a calcium deficiency. I did put some eggshell powder under each plant in the Spring, but with Romas I guess it has more to do with the shape of the fruit. Luckily you can just cut off the rotted end, but I will probably only grow a few Roma plants next year.
In addition to basil, I also planted hot peppers and mustard from seed. The mustard has seed pods, and the hot peppers have small green peppers on them.
My tomatoes are sprawling all over the place and growing little green tomatoes. This year I grew Romas and Beefsteaks, with a few volunteer plants of unknown origin. I've noticed that many of the Roma tomatoes are suffering from Blossom End Rot, which is apparently common for that variety. BER is caused by a calcium deficiency. I did put some eggshell powder under each plant in the Spring, but with Romas I guess it has more to do with the shape of the fruit. Luckily you can just cut off the rotted end, but I will probably only grow a few Roma plants next year.
The tomato forest!
Blossom End Rot
Raspberries- Like my cabbage, these have taken the back burner. I should have pruned and thinned the row, but just never got around to it. Plus the rose beetles got to them. I'm picking off the beetles, but I should have started way earlier. Maybe next year.
Most of the vine plants are growing on cattle panels, as I mentioned before. This year we have one watermelon plant, a couple different varieties of squash, one cucumber plant and also some peas. The peas are done and I have pulled them out to make room for other things. I left one sugar snap pea wrapped around a stake, so it can go to seed.
Most of the vine plants are growing on cattle panels, as I mentioned before. This year we have one watermelon plant, a couple different varieties of squash, one cucumber plant and also some peas. The peas are done and I have pulled them out to make room for other things. I left one sugar snap pea wrapped around a stake, so it can go to seed.
Cucumber plant.
In the Spring, I bought one head of garlic and planted the cloves, mostly for an experiment. As it turns out, garlic is really easy to grow! I got seven full heads (two not shown) out of the one bulb that I planted. I plan on replanting several of these heads this fall, to have some garlic next Spring.
Lettuce, dill, fennel and cilantro have gone to seed. My strawberries were done a long time ago, so they are just sitting dormant now. I plan on gradually filling up three raised beds with new strawberry runners. This will allow me to have free strawberries, and the raised beds will make it easier to weed and pick. Guess who is making me some more raised beds!!
That's it for now!
How does your garden grow?
How does your garden grow?
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