June 2nd and the garden is finally planted!

I think this is the latest I have ever planted my garden.  I did plant a couple of things 2 weeks ago but the bulk of the planting was done yesterday and today.  As it is, my tomatoes and peppers aren't liking the cool weather and really wish they were back inside.  I hope it warms up soon and they make it.  

 My main garden.  I have Egyptian walking onions, pole beans, fennel, snow peas, beauty heart radishes, carrots, lettuce, beets and mini bell peppers. 

 I have potatoes in my earth boxes on my patio.

 Yummy brussells sprouts! 

 Herbs - basil, parsley, sage, rosemary, marjoram, oregano

 Bell peppers in the lower part of my new raised bed garden - 6 are mixed colors regular bells and 3 are mini bells - we love peppers, can you tell?

 Tomatoes (roma) in the upper part of my new raised bed garden.  They are not happy to be outside in the cold - I hope they perk up and make it.

And back behind the fence is Andy's garden and as usual he has planted cucumbers and watermelon.  We added an A frame this year for the plants to grow up instead of having them all on the ground. 

How about you?  When did you plant your garden this year?  If you are in Minnesota, haven't you just loved this weather?

The 2013 Growing Season has Begun!

I'm so jealous of my friends down south who have already started their gardens!  I am so over this winter and ready to start gardening.  The weather outside is still very wintery and not spring like at all - although it did rain most of the day today.  Even with the rain melting some of the snow, there is still plenty left.  

So I did what every good northerner will do when they can't get outside and garden yet - I started my seedlings inside!  It doesn't look like it will be an early spring, but I will be ready when spring decides to come.  Last year we had an early spring and things just got away from me and I didn't start my own seeds - I didn't want to repeat that this year so I'm starting a little earlier than I normally do. 

I planted tomatoes, bell peppers (mixed colors), mini bell peppers (first time growing these I hope they do well), brussels sprouts, watermelon (this is actually for Andy - he always grows these and this year he picked out a seedless personal size variety), fennel (another first for me - I never knew I liked fennel until a couple of years ago and now I can't get enough of it), and cucumbers (also for Andy - can you believe the little boy that was a preschooler when I started this blog is now a TEENAGER!).

I will probably start more seeds next week or the week after.  I'm happy for now to be started growing!

I even nicely labeled them.  I have the specific variety on the back of the stakes. 

In previous years I have used yogurt cups, egg cartons and such to start my plants.  I think that was part of my problem in getting behind last year was gathering together planting cups and cutting drainage holes in the bottom.  It was a great idea to use them one more time before recycling but honestly, buying square pots is easier - and I got nice plastic covers that fit on top so nicely so I don't have to mess with sheets of plastic on top. 

Have you started your garden yet?  What are you growing?

Nothing is as sweet as watermelon you grow yourself

We cut into the first of Andy's watermelons last night. He was so excited that one was finally ripe. It was so sweet and delicious. I cut half of it into chunks and deseeded it and took it outside and shared it with all of the neighbors. It was a hit with the adults and children alike. Andy was so proud that he grew it himself!

In my garden on my birthday - August 13th!

It's hard to believe that I am 49 years old today. I still feel like a kid most of the time - maybe someday I'll decide to grow up!


I harvested my first Wayahead Tomato. It's too bad only one of these plants survived the hail storm back in May - they look like fine tomatoes.


A bumblebee crawls across one of Andy's sunflowers.


Andy's watermelons continue to grow (and be left alone by the neighbors). He has 5 now and is anxiously awaiting harvesting the biggest one.


The peaches are getting a nice red blush on them. They are easier to see on the tree now and I have a few more than I thought - probably 2 dozen. I can't wait to taste them - peaches in Minnesota, what a rare treat!


The red swanson grapes are starting to ripen. I don't think we will have any more concords. I have to cut them back too severely to be a good neighbor on the other side. I think I may have to just take them out - they are too much work to be constantly cutting back - and if I don't get anything in return for them.....

Andy and his watermelon

Andy thinks the biggest one is ready to pick - but the underside is still pale green, but it won't be long!

In My Garden Thursday, July 5, 2007

The cucumbers are vining nicely and starting to flower.


A new lilly is blooming. I don't remember what kind of a lilly it is - I planted it years ago when I first bought this house and I have memory any more.


The biggest baby watermelon is growing nicely. Andy talks to it every day to make it grow. I have to get a picture of him talking to it one day.


The pole beans are growing up the strings and starting to flower. I can't wait for that first taste of fresh green beans.


The Opkala tomatoes are doing nicely. All of them survived the hail. Of the other two varieties I planted only one plant each survived and were replaced with grape tomatoes from the nursery (grape tomatoes was all the nursery had left that late in the season).

In My Garden Tuesday 6/26/07

Baby Tomatoes


I'm not sure what this is - a weed or something coming up from last year????


Baby grapes


Baby Watermelons


Peaches continuing to grow - I can't wait to taste them!

I just love this time of year - there is always something new in the garden each and every day.

My Garden Today 6/13/07

I've had a cold for over 2 weeks now and I'm getting quite sick of it. I guess I should probably go to the doctor soon and make sure it isn't my allergies. It has also finally gotten hot.

The tomatoes have just really sprouted up with this heat. I did lose several in the hail and replaced them with grape tomatoes from the nursery - but this is one that I started from seed and survived the hail. A week ago it was looking sickly and today it is the picture of health!
The pole beans are still looking beat up from the hail, but there is new growth and they are starting to put up runners. Before you know it, we'll be eating beans. Yum - there is nothing like that first taste of fresh green beans in the summer!
The lettuce has also bounced back nicely from the hail. I never pick the whole head except if it looks like it's going to bolt (go to seed) - I just pick the outer leaves and keep it growing. It looks ready for another picking.
The watermelon plant that my son started is growing and starting to flower. I sure hope he gets at least one watermelon. Nothing like success to keep a kid interested.
Andy's sunflowers are also up and looking good. They were pretty tender when the hail came, but seem to have bounced back.