So this is the second year of my attempt to grow a garden. As before, the drawbacks are my inherited black thumb, and my total ignorance when it comes to all things garden-related — though I suppose there is less ignorance than last year, as I now have a year of experience under my belt. Also as with last year, I focus my garden on the category of Stuff I Can Eat. Honestly, I do not get as excited by flowers, however pretty, as by the idea that I put a seed in the ground and now it’s two dozen tomatoes. Because Food Is Good.
This is last year’s garden at an early stage. The squash haven’t even come up yet. All that growth in the lower right is the radishes.
A quick recap of last year’s hits and misses:
2009 Garden:
- Created raised beds. (WIN!)
- Radishes, french and regular: the greens were nice, the bulbs never formed, perhaps because I failed to thin them.
- Sungold tomatoes, bought as seedlings: we drowned in these last summer, and they were gleeful drownings. Basically little tomato candies. So good. SB put these on his “must have again” list. (WIN!)
- Summer squash, from seed: Got two squashess out of them (which were, to be fair, delicious!), then the vine succumbed to powdery mildew
- Zucchini: Death by powdery mildew before they fruited (and everyone told me I’d be drowing in ‘em!)
- Black-something (Cherokee?) tomatoes, bought as seedlings: Mixed bag. One died, one grew, and most of the fruits cracked before ripening. We got fewer than half a dozen before fall, but they were all delicious.
- Various other tomatoes, from seed: Never grew, but might have been shaded by the sungolds.
- Parsley: grew nice, but rarely used.
- Thyme: Ditto.
- Oregano: Used some, clearly don’t need to plant as much this year.
- Sage: Died. Shaded by the sungolds.
- Sweet basil (in pots): Never got very big (and my neighbors might as well have a basil farm in their backyard)
- Thai basil (in pots): never used
- Lemon basil (never used): never used
- Mint (in pots): Didn’t grow much, but survived the winter just fine!
- Spearmint (in pots): succumbed to the beloved overattention of Temp Dog #3
- Chocolate mint (in pots): died. TRYING AGAIN, though, because OMG the scent is INCREDIBLE.
- I also planted marigolds from seeds as a garden bed border, because I heard it keeps away some pests. They came up fine and were quite pretty. I never paid the least bit of attention to them.
Lessons learned: Some things sound a lot better in the farmer’s market than in my kitchen. I will henceforth try to plant more things that I know we actually eat. Also, people say plant mint in pots or it’ll take over your garden, but apparently those people don’t have my black thumb. We took down the tree that was shading my garden (because it was falling over), so I hope we have less of a problem with mildew this year. Also, the compost my organic farming neighbor brings in his truck is like twenty-times better than anything I can get anywhere else. I would start my own compost bin, but we don’t have a ton of space in my backyard.
It sounds from this list that I really only had one real “Success” last year with the sungolds, but we did have a good amount of basil (I didn’t buy any fresh basil last year, though we never did make pesto we had plenty for caprese salads all summer), some herbs and stuff, and some slicing tomatoes, and just being able to grow my own food was so cool that I’m all about giving it another whirl.
This is the parsley at an early stage last year. I stopped taking pictures after a while, which is a shame. I’ll do better this year.
Things I’m doing differently this year: I’m considering planting the mint in-ground. I’m just not sure where. There isn’t a lot of room in the raised beds (which is outside our fence, and therefore dog-free), and Rio LOVES mint. I’m also starting some of my seeds in those Seed-starter cardboard things. I didn’t do it last year, and my seeds came up fine, but what the heck, It was like $2 and this whole thing is an experiment anyway. Plus, I’ve begged my neighbor for more compost. And I’m doing more fruit.
Garden plans for 2010:
- Sungold tomatoes: 3 seedlings (SB is so excited)
- Some form of hybrid slicer tomato the farmer’s market lady recommended: one plant (might get another slicer later, depends if those really are tomatoes coming up in the garden already)
- Sage (from seed)
- Summer squash (from seed): three plants
- Zucchini (from seed): three plants (and I SURE hope they produce as promised this year!)
- Bell peppers (from seed): 4 plants, and can someone who knows tell me if I should use pots for these?
- Anaheim chilis (from seed): Ditto?
- Poblano Peppers (from seed): Ditto? (I ask about these peppers b/c the packets say all this stuff about not planting them near each other, which, given the small size of my garden, would necessitate pots)
- Alpine strawberries (seedling)
- Sequoia strawberries (seedling): One died already, the other one might make it.
- Quinalt strawberries (seedlings): these might have died already. They aren’t looking so good.
- Raspberries: two sticks, and I have NO CLUE where to put them in my yard without ripping out a bush.
- LoganEchollsberries: ditto
- Cucumbers: I have one of those seed strips. Thought it looked fun, but I haven’t planted it yet because I haven’t put anything in the actual garden yet. SB thinks the idea of “burpless” cucumbers is the funniest notion ever.
- Leaf lettuce (seedlings from farmer’s market) : four varieties. Kale, arugula, red fire something, and something else. Seven plants in total.
- Spinach (seedlings from farmer’s market): Seven (SB loves spinach)
- Oregano: one seedling in a decorative pot with
- Rosemary: Ditto
- Cilantro: Ditto (in passing, I think I probably should get more cilantro. We eat a lot of guacamole in this house)
- Sweet basil: Three seedlings worth, from: Farmer’s market, Home depot, and grocery store. We’ll see whose basil wins this year. Haven’t decided if I’m going to pot them or garden them yet.
- Chocolate mint: would you believe the thing DIED ON ME ALREADY? I’m getting a new one as soon as I find some. Chocolate mint, you haven’t beaten me yet!!!!
- The regular mint in the pot came back, so I’m hoping for the best. And there’s SOMETHING growing in the old chocolate mint pot, but I can’t tell if it’s CM or a weed.
I’m not sure what these are (the little things below the zucchini seedling), but I’m glad I took a picture of them last spring, because they are coming up again this year, even after SB tilled the garden. Because they are coming up in rows (even now), I suspect they are tomatoes. But I don’t think they ever got any bigger than this last summer, and I am finding it hard to believe there are still tomato seeds with some juice in them after the blizzards. But I don’t want to tear them out even though I’m about to dump a whole mess of compost on them tomorrow. I guess if they can survive tilling and six feet of snow, they can survive that, too. And…could this caption be any longer?
I’ve added a whole bunch of peppers this year, because our friends did them in pots off their back porch last summer, and they worked great, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. Also, we have a grill now, and I love grilled peppers! I have some money for new plants, too, because I don’t have any of the initial set up gardening costs, like tools and the boundaries of the raised beds and pots. Besides, it’s year two. so it’s time to expand. I’m also doing some berries, because I LOVE THEM, and some strawberries, because my aforementioned organic farming neighbor says you can’t mess them up, even if you try. (Except, I appear to have already messed two of them up, and he said the same thing about the mint last year.) Seriously, I don’t get it. He’s constantly ripping strawberry shooters out of his yard and calling them a menace, and I’ve already killed mine and I’ve only had them for like two days.
I’ve also got this other new neighbor who just moved in, and after being here for approximately two days, had managed to set up a giant compost bin and rip out half her backyard, then till it with some automatic plowy-thing she rented from the hardware store, and into which plowed field she erected a scarecrow and started planting long rows of like, carrots and broccoli and other things that I’m not even ATTEMPTING to grow in my little 6′x4′ plot. She’s from Berkeley, y’all.
She fits in really well on my block, though. I’m totally the odd gardener out, in that I suck and everyone else is totally hardcore. To my left I have organic farmer guy (fig trees, y’all, and a rosemary bush bigger than me), and the couple with half the world’s supply of fresh basil (“we have pesto all winter!” the guy exclaimed, while handing me a giant paper sack filled with beefsteak tomatoes the day I moved in). On my right I’ve got the new gal and her scarecrow, and the woman whose side yard is covered with the most gorgeous flowers, whose front lawn has mower marks like a checker board, and who, year after year, FOR FUN, plants flowers and bushes in the public median despite the fact that they are regularly flattened by the recycling truck. Her flowers are gorgeous, though. It’s a fantastic public service.
And then there’s SB and me. This is what our gardening conversations sound like:
SB: Look, we have tulips!
Me: Oh, cool. How did they get there?
SB: Beats me. I’m surprised I didn’t kill them when I mowed the lawn.
We also discovered this lone rose last year.
Luckily for us, our neighbors are aware of our cluelessness and are always willing to step in and offer advice (or handfuls of fresh basil). Our one neighbor gives us strawberry cuttings and compost and told us about the powdery mildew. The one with the gorgeous lawn explained to us that our lawn wasn’t dead (as it appeared to be in late April last year), it was a certain variety that sounds like “shicksa grass” (but I’m sure that’s not the real name) that comes back late, but saves on mowing. She was right. The basil people — well, they give us basil, and shake our heads at our pitiful potted attempts. And the new girl pulled some stray violets out of my raised beds this evening, and is totally downplaying her scarecrow so I don’t feel so inadequate.
I love my neighbors. I love my garden!
Are you gardening? What are you growing? Do you have any advice for me?
April 12th, 2010 at 7:18 am
LoganEchollsberries – nice.
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April 12th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Last year we moved into our place in May, so I got a late start. I scattered some cucumber seeds in the little area, and we got Cucumber vines of DOOM! Seriously, we were using cucumbers as dog toys by the time summer ended. BUSHELS of cucumbers. All I did was water them every day. I also planted Basil, Oregano, Cilantro, Tomatoes, and Green Beans. The beans were a little late to grow. The Tomatoes died (probably not enough sun, also, I assumed they were dead ans stopped watering, then a little baby one formed, but not big enough to eat).
The Oregano didn’t last. I got a ton of Basil. Our house came with a rosemary bush and sage. I’ve done nothing to encourage the sage to live, and it proceeds to be plentiful and reviving. I’m guessing it is a hardy plant.
This year I am organizing things a little more. I put my seedlings in the little cardboard cups exactly when the farmer’s almanac said to do so (last day of the astrological sign) and they have started. I have tomatoes, cucumbers (a few less this year), and yellow squash. I’d like to add some green beans, and zucchini. I’m not much for leafy things and things that grow close to the ground, as the dog will probably pee all over it… The roomate has been tasked with stealing manure from the barn where she rides to fertilize everything.
I really enjoyed watching my cucumbers grow last year. Every morning I had my little ritual where I watered them and stared at them a little bit. Then there were the scavenger hunts to find all the cucumbers that were growing!
Good luck, and enjoy all the fun of watching things grow!
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April 12th, 2010 at 8:55 am
For your tomotoes and peppers. Before you plant place egg shells or a tuns tablet in the bottom of each hole. This and proper watering will help the plant absorb calcium and should help with brown spots. Just dont let the soil get too dry. Also add some compost around the plant every so often. To help with pests look at ordering lady bugs and/or praying mantis. The are a great organic way to get pest away. There are several website where you can order them.
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April 12th, 2010 at 8:56 am
I had the best garden in Berkeley! You could plant a stick in the ground and it would grow. Even black thumbs would have caved and sprouted there.
Good fertilizing/composting is key. Also plenty of sun and air circulation- sounds like you’ve got that now with the tree gone.
My composter was about two foot square and four feet tall, made of recycled black plastic. Didn’t take up much room at all. After about six months I had luscious black compost wriggling with worms. Actually so many that it was sort of gross. However, compost+ worms= Good!
It takes a while to figure out what will grow and flourish in your yard. Changing it up a bit every year is good.
I’d give zucchini another shot, and it sounds like you’re onto something with the tomatoes.
The whole 9 years I’ve lived in NY I’ve never been able to grow any tomatoes besides cherry. In Berkeley we were giving them away by the ton, but peppers, squash, beans and lettuce have been good here.
In four months or so I’ll be trying to veg garden in a coastal climate. A whole other challenge!
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April 12th, 2010 at 9:24 am
UPDATE: I think I have resuscitated the strawberries, guys. This morning several sprigs were standing straight and tall (though a few still look withered). Yesterday evening, I soaked the terracotta and then I planted them in some mud…
Chocolate mint is still dead to the world, though. Le sigh.
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April 12th, 2010 at 9:30 am
We’re doing a vegetable garden this year. Just planted this weekend. Being a born and bred city girl this is all new to me. I’ve grown tomatoes the past few years, but that’s about it. This year we did a raised bed and we planted 3 diferent types of tomatoes as well as cucumber, onions, strawberries, peppers, rosemary, parsley, basil and oregano. Charlie has way more farming experience so I defer to him in all things. We’re even growing potatoes this year. I’m dubious. Heh. You can check out my newly planted garden pic here
Smart Bitch Sarah and I are also hosting a garden-off competition over at Whipped Out. With prizes. Lots of people are entering and it should be fun. You should join in with all of us! The link is at my blog post.
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April 12th, 2010 at 9:34 am
L, I admit I bought them for the name.
Rhiannon, that’s what I was told about zucchini. I had these great plans for zucchini bread and stuff — all dashed. This is my first year using the little cardboard thingies. We’ll see how it goes. I also plant most of my stuff out of dog-peeing range. Rio loves to eat my mint.
Dragonfly, I didn’t have much trouble with brown spots or pests last year — the only thing that went was the squash b.c of the powdery mildew. I shall try tums or eggshells, though. Can’t hurt!
Jo, are you sure you’re not my new neighbor? That’s the exact compost bin she has! I hope she isn’t disappointed in her DC garden after living with you in the apparent land of fruit and honey!
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April 12th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I convinced my parents to really create a garden this year but I have been busy. I shall turn over the ground soon and check out the local places for seedlings. I did start some Herbs and am so excited because they are sprouting already. Can’t wait to get them outside.
I looked at the grow light and wanted others opinions. Anyone use those?
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April 12th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
If I was your new neighbor I would have dashed over to say hello and brought you rhubarb.
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April 12th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Remember mint is a weed and likes it dry and hardscrabble. If your tomatoes are bursting, you are cycling throught drought and overwatering- try to maintain a regular watering schedule; there are cheap timers for your hose at Lowes or HD. Peppers and other similar veggies want to be raised in peat pots from seed. Tomatoes like to be planted a bit horizontally (look on the Organic Gardening website)- the stem becomes root. I like a lot more than three zucchinis and i let my cukes sprawl while staking my tomatoes (cages are also easy). Have fun!
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April 12th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Jaci, my husband disavows all interest in the garden. You’ve got me beat there.
Heather, I think it depends on where you live and if you’ve got adequate sunlight in your yard. I don’t need a grow light in my yard and you should be able to transplant your seedlings outdoors soon enough.
G, I doubt I’ve got any watering issue, as my gazillions of other tomatoes were just fine (which I do transplant horizontally — I read about that last year and it worked beautifully in 5/6 cases!). It was just this one plant and I blame the variety. Also, there is no way I can set a hose on a timer given the set up of my garden (and my hose, which might be circa 1952). I water by hand or not at all. All my peppers are indeed from seed, but I’m wondering about later — should i keep them in (larger) pots on the porch or try to move them to the garden in the side yard? Should I worry about cross-pollination between the sweets and the hots? I think 3 zucchinis might be all my my little garden can handle, or I’d have more, too. I love them! I stake my tomatoes, too. What is the benefit of crawling cukes? I didn’t even know they were stakable!
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April 12th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Also, regarding “mint likes it dry and hardscrabble” — trust me, I tried everything. Mint likes abuse — I abused it. What mint doesn’t like, I realize, is ME. My friend also kills her mint in New York. Year after year. She can’t figure it out. We’re like mint’s worst nightmares.
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April 12th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
We’re going to start our third garden this year. The first one produced tomatoes to beat the band. Birds ate everything else. Trouble is, I’m the only one in the family who will eat them. How did I ever marry and spawn children who do not like tomatoes? It’s such a shame.
Last year we outsmarted the birds and got great beets, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, and more tomatoes. The peppers tried to grow but just never seemed to have their hearts in it.
This year we’re gonna try adding carrots. I’m excited. I still need to clean out the bed, though. I’ve only managed to get to the roses and irises. The lilac bushes need trimming.
Seriously, I never though I’d have a yard/garden that required this much work. When we moved in there were 5 (FIVE!) fruit trees. We’re down to just one now, thank goodness. It seemed as though it was always raining fruit on our heads.
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April 12th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Oh, Angie! I’m so jealous! I would kill for fruit trees. That’s one thing I miss so about Florida — I had tangerine and orange and grapefruit trees there. Here…. Well, I’m trying with the strawberries and raspberries, but I don’t know what will will really become of them. I don’t know anyone around here who has fruit trees except my neighbor with the fig, and he’s been hardcore cultivating it for years.
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April 12th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Last year was my first garden as well, so thank you for the reminder that I should also make a list of hits and misses!
Our planting season here in the mountainous high desert of Oregon is much later (late-May or early-June) but I had great luck last year with zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, several varieties of tomato, arugula, green and purple peppers, and red-leaf lettuce. I did OK with cauliflower, but ended up feeling like it took up too much space for a pretty small yield. Carrots weren’t ready until about the time the snow was falling, and corn failed abysmally.
This year I want to try spinach and maybe some onions.
Careful with those raspberries — they’ll take over EVERYTHING!
Tawna
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April 13th, 2010 at 1:03 am
Ah! Good luck with your garden!
I was stuck with an un-sunny balcony till July last year, when hubby & I moved into our house. In anticipation of the huge yard we’d have to play with (with lots of flower beds already planted–perennials!), I bought a few tomato plants and when we moved in, we tried growing them upside down in jute sacks. (It didn’t work as well as it had the year before.)
This year we took out the pool and are slowly transforming the fenced-in pool area into a vegetable garden. I have a bunch of seedlings going in peat pellets, which go into the cold frame during the day and soon will be spending nights outside too. (It just needs to get a little warmer.) So far, so good. I’ve never had this many sprouts before! Well, the peppers haven’t shown any inkling to come up, but I knew I was taking a chance; they tend to not like peat pellets, but I didn’t think I wouldn’t get ANY. I’ve been keeping records, though, so I won’t (I hope) make these mistakes again.
If all goes well, I will have a huge tomato crop, and lots of basil. Also planning corn and squash.
And half of the garden will be ready for me to start planting in two days!
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