Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Seed Planting Extravaganza

That was my weekend and included yesterday. Three days of almost non-stop gardening. About 3 years ago, we tilled up the whole back garden and started making beds. The beds are generally 3-4 feet in width, lined out with bricks and have mulched paths. We are still only 2/3 of the way done. Life just always seems to get in the way. We are pretty proud of what we've accomplished so far. This year I've harvested several quarts of wonderfully sweet strawberries, sugar snaps and one bunch of turnip greens.

I'm currently waiting to see if we actually get any broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage from the plants I planted earlier this year. These were all started by yours truly from seed by the way. LOL I also started 4 different kinds of tomatoes and have planted 16 plants and gave my neighbor (the other side-no chickens) about 10.

This weekend I planted 16 pepper plants, 11 eggplants, pole beans, chinese noodle beans, soybeans, black beans, leeks, cilantro, cosmos, bird gourds, snake gourds (kid's choice--they are shaped like snakes and then they can paint them) luffa, corn, New Zealand spinach, watermelon, pumpkins, winter squash, honeydew. That's all I can remember right now. I worked hard to get everything in the ground by yesterday because of the lovely rain coming. My efforts were rewarded!! We have a great soaking rain falling.

Now before you start thinking I'm a farm girl or something, let me tell you I was raised 'city' all the way. I'm currently learning as I go. I love gardening. I love flowers. I love finding the right plant for scent, color and the animals (including the human variety). However, I make lots of mistakes along the way. I plant too late, too early, forget to water, etc. I'm what could be termed a neglectful, forgetful, haphazard gardener. I have great plans in my head, but bringing them to fruition, both literally and figuratively, can be a bit of a pain. LOL I move stuff around all the time, replace plants, kill plants. You name it, I've probably done it. Last year I pruned the grape vines I had put in. I wondered later in the year why I never had any grapes. Duh!!! I pruned them wrong. Grapes come on the second year vine. If you prune that part off, no grapes. This year I have grapes coming. Now, I just have to do battle with those dumb Japanese Beetles. They're coming soon, so I'm mentally preparing my weaponry. he he

Well, since we have all this lovely rain falling, that means I have to clean house. Soooo, not my favorite job. I'm off!

1 comment:

walking said...

We planted watermelon seeds . . . my least favorite fruit.