Thursday, May 27, 2010

Around My Garden

I apologize for not blogging more regularly. I tend to make blogging feel like a monumental task that I don't want to tackle, even though I enjoy it once I get going. I promise to try harder in the future. With that being said, here are some pictures of my garden for your viewing pleasure (I apologize in advance for my lack of photography skills. I reeeeeally wish I possessed a natural gift for it!):

Rows before planting (I was going for somewhat raised beds with walking paths in between. The straw has newspaper underneath to help control weeds.


Beef Heart Tomatoes (for homemade spaghetti sauce and salsa!)


My friend Jamie introduced me to the concept of "companion gardening" where different species of plants help keep harmful insects and diseases from killing each other. In this picture, basil is planted in between the tomatoes to repel harmful bugs from the tomatoes. I really want to learn more about this interesting idea!


Bell and Cayenne Peppers (for salsa)


Watermelon


Cucumber (or as our nephew says, "Ooo-umber"). I have more in starter pots that desperately need to be planted. A lady a work suggested I put a cage around them so that they don't vine out all over the place. I like that idea!!! We'll see how it works! And please ignore all the weeds in the background. They have taken over three rows that i have yet to plant. It is back-breaking work to weed the garden, but it will get done one of these days. A little at a time...


And I saved my favorite for last: the strawberry pyramid! If all my other plants die or don't produce anything this year I don't care as long as I have my strawberries! Granted, I found out that you're supposed to pick all the flowers off so that they don't produce fruit the first year (to allow the plant to grow deeper roots instead of focusing it's energy on fruit production). This news greatly saddened me because I was really looking forward to making jam; however, I have allowed a few strawberries to grow nonetheless so that I can at least reap some reward for my labor and patience! There are four varieties mixed in: Earliglow, Jewel, Ovation, and Honeyoye.



There you go! I might plant corn, too, but my mom told me that she had something "special" to give me to plant in the remaining three empty rows. I have no earthly idea what she has in mind, but I hope it's something that I like to eat! No asparagus or eggplant, please! This has been a learning experience, and an exhausting one at that, but it will be worth it to harvest healthy food straight from the backyard!

2 comments:

  1. I am so proud Amanda! It looks soooooo lovely! You are going to be such a great gardener!

    And I agree about the weeding. It is already getting so hot out that I am starting to whine about it. :)

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  2. Thanks Jamie! I couldn't have done it without your inspiration and guidance! Really! I don't suppose there is some organic way to reduce weeds? I got poison ivy last week after weeding. Not a good sign!

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