We Need Herbs Too!

I couldn't resist the attempt to grow herbs as well as vegetables. My "herb garden" is set-up on my balcony (whereas the garden is at JC's house). It faces the west so it receives a fantastic amount of sunlight during the day. Included in the group are chives, rosemary, basil and catnip (yep, my kitties should enjoy the garden too). I also added sunflowers and am attempting a pot of wildflowers. All but the chives are growing nicely in the past two weeks.

Now, I just need some yummy recipes.

Peek A Boo, I See You

With about two weeks in, new growth pokes through the soil. It is a good sign considering we planted, then the next day there was a heat wave with temperatures up to 95 degrees. Then, we cooled down with rain, clouds and damp weather for, what felt like, an eternity.

Alas!

The sun decided to play and now the garden is playing back. The corn is popping up. JC did a great job making sure the corn rows were straight (had I planted the corn, the garden would have looked like a maze). The tomatoes are flowering. And, in a different area of the yard, we planted strawberries. Admittedly, I was a little rough handling them upon planting. Because we couldn't decide where to plant the berries, they were planted, dug up, replanted, dug up. Regardless of the
constant replanting, they seem to be fine because they are flowering too.

And, They're Off!

For 2011, we planted some of the same from last year, yet some different...

• Eight rows of corn
• Two rows of enormous sunflowers (which grow to at least 12' tall at their peak)
• Two row of multi-colored sunflowers (which grow to approximately 7' tall)
• Two beds of pumpkins and winter squash, respectively
• A few dozen strawberries
• Ten pepper plants, including jalapeno, sweet pepper, banana pepper, green pepper, Asian pepper
• Eight tomato plants
• Broccoli

The day was hot. Our backs are sore. And, I even cut my leg on old chicken wire that was hiding in a mound of dirt and dried brush.

This week the temperature will reach 95 degrees! YOWZA! With that, other planting, including the wildflowers, roses, and general landscaping (yet to be decided) will happen later this week, when cooler weather prevails.

For now, here is our baby...

You can see the rhubarb taking off. It is too late too pick but it's fun to watch it grow like crazy!

The Soil is Ready

Thanks to the handy work of JC, the soil is ready. It has been weeded, raked, tilled, aerated, and overall polished for some massive seeding this Sunday.

Last year, in Amazing Race style, we ransacked the vegetable kiosk at Home Depot when choosing what to plant. We planted:

• Three beds of sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and squash
• Four tomato plants
• Six pepper plants
• Thirty onions
• Giant Sunflowers
• And, Eight Rows of Corn

The result was nothing short of amazing, which is probably why I am hooked. So, I am excited to see what we decide to plant this year. Stay Tuned!

2010 Garden, early June

Let the Back Pain Begin

In our 30x20 garden, we started clearing the old vegetation from last season. With just one hour in, I realized, my back lacked the endurance it had developed by late fall last year. Regardless, it is worth it. Planting to happen this week. The soil is warming, the winds are dying down, and the sun is coming out to show its beautiful, useful self.

Before

After