The Garden Grew

Well, it is September and the garden did grow. It is kind of fun to see what grows (and what doesn't do as well!).

The impatients really liked the area by the fence. I was really pleased how well they did all summer and continue to do into the fall!

This area just looks a little overgrown (because it is). The blueberry bushes are fighting for their space from both the strawberries and the mint. I may pull up this whole bed next year (except for the blueberries).

This is looking over the first raised bed to the jungle of tomato plants. All my tomato plants were self-seeded (I didn't plant any new plants this year... they sprung up almost like weeds) and I was disappointed that they were all cherry tomatoes. I was hoping for some other varieties as well. I'll have to plant my own next year and keep ahead of the jungle. The beans are climbing the web to the left (as well as into the tomato plants).

This is a picture of the tops of the kale plants (Daryl is becoming known as the Kale man at work). Kale grows really well in our space.

The bare spot is were we had two cardboard boxes of potato plants and beside those some carrots. Those were all harvested already by the time I took this picture. The swiss chard continues to do well. I really like to saute the chard with some onions and put it on a sandwich instead of lettuce. Yummy!

Another picture of the climbing bean plants... we are still getting beans about once a week.

The other side of the impatients flower bed. This side was a little more shaded, but the flowers still did well. I was so excited when when of my mom's calla lily bulbs grew and produced a flower here. I didn't think they would!

One of the kale plants with the herb garden in front. The rosemary we started from seed and I didn't think it would produce, but they are slowly beginning to grow. My challenge will be to keep it going through the winter.

Here is some of the harvest we got this year. This bowls has the carrots and the potatoes we got from one plant.

 Here are the green beans I blanched and then froze.

 Here are some of the potatoes (think I got about 30 from 3 plants). The girls had so much fun "treasure hunting" for potatoes. I definitely want to plant more potatoes next year.

Happy harvest! Happy Fall!

The Garden was Planted

Back in March, there was some question about whether or not I would get a garden planted this year. It did happen and we are reaping the rewards... beans, kale, swiss chard, potatoes, strawberries, blueberries (well 7 blueberries), tomatoes, summer squash, cucumbers, basil, thyme, sage, oregano, mint, chocolate mint, peppers... all in a small backyard! The backyard growers program is fabulous... so glad our friends and neighbors jumped on board, and then coached us on how to do it.

Here is the garden in early spring...

I "gave" the girls the side yard to plant. It was quite selfish of me as I took the prime locations. (There, I confessed.) There was a time I had visions of working alongside my girls in the garden, but I got quite possessive of it. Not sure how to help myself relax OR figure out a way to give them some space in the main garden OR just realize that this is my special hobby... part of my "caring" for myself. Anyway, I have all fall and winter before we try again.

 The PRIME spot... good sun, good soil...

 The girls did help me plant impatients along the fence. They have grown beautifully!

 My spider web for growing peas and beans.

 Daryl built these for me when we lived in our other apartment. They did ok on our deck, not well at all in front of the house and fabulous as an herb garden.

 Another look at my spider web.

The stawberries and blueberries... wow... do strawberries go CRAZY. I ripped them out of this bed last fall and they came back like crazy. I've already pulled a lot up again and they still are spreading.

A former toybox was turned into a box for growing potatoes. Later this week, I'll show you our harvest!

So, the garden was planted. I want to take pictures of the garden now and I will post them soon!

Time to Plant?

For some reason I'm not very motivated to bring down my garden book and start to plan. Perhaps it is the 19 degree weather we woke up to this morning (yet, Daryl rode BIKE to work) or the pile of snow that remains outside my front door (even though it is GONE everywhere else). Maybe I just need to make a baby step and get my notebook from the closet... Spring WILL come, right?