How Does Your Garden Grow? Update

Our mid-summer garden. I am amazed at how happy the tomatoes are and never expected to grow as tall as me! My carrots and beets did not do so well, but I might try for a fall crop when the intense heat of summer has passed. Lettuces never turned up either, so we'll try a fall planting of those too. The corn is starting to set and we are getting a zucchini ever couple of days. The blueberries seem to be finishing up- we got a nice big harvest of those. So, for a first time vegetable garden, I'm pretty pleased and at least have a better sense now of what grows well and where and what our summers will be like for future planning!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Not even a month later and it's amazing to see the growth in the vegetable bed! I've decided, despite the dubious looks and warnings that I've planted things too closely, that I really like the "square foot" method. I appreciate having a straightforward "system" that feels manageable and knowing that I can plant more squares as I am ready without having to do everything at once. I added a few tomato seedlings which just took off in the rich soil as soon as the weather warmed up. The corn is coming up, as are the snap peas and beets. I planted a few more seeds of the vegetables where I found empty spaces. I think I'll let the seedlings grow a bit larger before transplanting them. None of my lettuce seeds survived past the barest hint of a seedling- I think those really hot days we got a couple of weeks ago did them in, so I sowed more of those seeds too. Next steps are to fence in the veggie beds so the dogs are no longer tramping through there, and probably to make cages to protect the newly planted seeds from birds- I've noticed they've gotten more numerous and noisy as the weather has warmed- probably advertising to all their friends where the yummies are! Next month, I really should get the vertical supports in for the melons and squash- people are already pretty skeptical about the fact that you can train those large fruiting vines UPWARDS, but it supposedly works!

Green Thumb

Spring is definitely here and my garden tasks are keeping me from blogging as often as I'd like. Our new home came with a couple of large raised beds already in place as well as another on the corner of our yard outlined with a concrete curb. My dad spent several days helping me prepare all the beds, loosening the soil, and adding lots of compost. The result is a beautifully light and fluffy soil in which I finally started planting vegetable and herb seeds and seedlings- something I always wanted to do at the previous house, but never got around to, beyond a few tomato plants. I also came across "square-foot gardening" and thought I'd give it a try- I do love anything that is so clearly explained and looks so organized! The beds are now marked off every foot with twine and I've followed the book's recommendations for planting intensively. I like the way that the system automatically assists with crop rotation, as you never leave a square empty. Once harvested, the square is immediately replanted.

So, what's in the vegetable beds? A couple plants each of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and brussel sprouts. About a dozen squares of corn, 4 tomato plants, a couple of squares of beets, carrots, snap peas, and edamame beans, which each contain about 9-16 plants, a couple each of cantaloupe, winter squash, pumpkins, and zucchini plants. Also a few squares of onions and nasturtiums. I try to take a picture every week or so, because with the pattern of rain and warm sun we've recently had, everything has been growing quickly! For the times when I'm not quite ready to replant, I've also picked up some buckwheat seeds to use as a cover crop.

I also have a few large pots containing citrus trees, several strawberry plants, lettuces, and (yum!) lots of blueberry shrubs! Next step is to get a compost or worm bin started, and THEN maybe I can tackle the front yard and all the "pretty" (vs. edible) landscaping!

Summer Harvest

My poor yard has never been taken care of the way I wish I could- both time, energy, and know-how (wait, that's three things...) are obstacles to the lovely garden paradise I envision. Things REALLY went downhill after Munch was born though. I killed most of my potted dwarf citrus trees and some of my favorite fuschias. I guess anything that has survived, or unbelievably thrived, during my neglect really deserves to be here! I was excited this summer about planting fruit & vegetables that Munch could enjoy. Our favorite so far has been a blueberry bush which she faithfully checked every morning through the spring until she was rewarded with plump, little berries. Now we're harvesting cherry tomatoes (even though this year's seedlings haven't grown as full and healthily as usual) and green beans.
I've also got a new lemon tree- a Mother's Day present from AudioDad, and some beautiful mint. Perfect for a delicious limoncello cocktail!

Limoncello Cooler (enough for 8 8-oz. drinks)
1 c. frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/2 c. fresh mint leaves
6 tbs. fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 c. club soda
3 1/2 c. limoncello (I used a full bottle of Caravello)
crushed ice
thin slices lemon and additional fresh mint for garnishing drinks

Combine lemonade concentrate, fresh lemon juice, and mint leaves in a pitcher. Use a wooden spoon to "muddle" these together. Add the limoncello, club soda, and crushed ice to taste. Pour into glasses and garnish with a lemon slice and spring of fresh mint.

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