Veggies in the Front Yard

One year ago today, I took this picture of the boys “helping” me plant corn at our community garden plot. Since we didn’t till our plot in the spring before planting, it ended-up looking like this:

The weeds were impossible to keep-up with. If I did it again, I would rent a tiller in the spring and improve my mulching methods as a start. Since the plot was very far from available parking, hauling tools, materials, and water in and out was difficult even without having three young children in tow.

Last fall at “clean-out” time, I decided to create more space for edibles at home and ditch the community plot.

Since my home is south-facing, the front yard offers the only full-sun gardening space. We added three new 4 x 4 raised beds right along the curb.

I planted marigold, nasturtium, and basil seeds along the street-side in rows. The short sides are bordered with peas. Cucumber seeds are planted in the first and third bed, with tomatoes and peppers in the middle. The back border holds a few varieties of pole bean seeds. I’m planting in a symmetrical pattern in an effort to make the bed as attractive as possible. Unfortunately, the tomatoes I started from seed in February are extremely leggy and unattractive. If I had more depth available, I would bury the stems. As it is, I barely had the depth available to cover the established roots in the pots. Also, my tomato cage building skills need work. I tossed a thin layer of straw on the seeds to attempt to protect them from shifting with the heavy rains we’ve been having.

My other raised beds are located on the side of the house. The shadiest bed is full of Mesclun lettuce mix. The middle bed has spinach and radishes. The sunniest bed is filled with the rest of the tomatoes that I started this winter.

With the addition of the new raised beds, I planted all of the edibles that I wanted to plant this year at home.

Seed-Starting Update: Buds and Blooms.

So. I didn’t label my seedlings. I forgot to buy labeling stuff and couldn’t think of an easy thing to use from around my house.

I thought it would be simple to tell what they were once they came-up. Most are. It’s a mistake I won’t repeat next year.

I planted a few things that are nowhere in sight now: Bee Balm? Babies Breath? They might be tucked-in somewhere…

I know for sure that I had a zero-percent success rate germinating the Sweet Pea flowers. Even after nicking and soaking…

Here are some pictures to update you on my successes:

First Geranium Buds

Snapdragons…(I think)

Scarlet Penstemon…(I think)

Johnny Jump-Ups

Marigolds

Impatiens (and stray coleus)

Petunias

 

Second batch of tomato plants blooming.

Morning glory

Moss Roses

“Pinched” Coleus New Growth

Roots!

First batch of tomato plants from seed.

Mid-February Update!

Here are my stocks, moss roses (portulaca), and geraniums:

I think the moss roses could have been directly-sowed, rather than started in my first indoor planting! They are huge. I just followed the directions on the packet, which said 8-10 weeks prior to last frost (~May 15 here). My mom told me she used to direct sow those. Now she tells me! I’m considering potting-up all of the moss roses and stocks in potting soil very soon.

These are my tiny cactus babies. Aren’t they cute?? Can you see them??

The coleus are doing very well, too. Those are impatiens on the right.

This is my steamy greenhouse.

Bunches of flowers on the top including: Columbine, Lavender, Foxglove, Snapdragons, Penstemon, Baby’s Breath, Dianthus, and Sensitive Plant.

Down here, we have Black Krim tomatoes, a cherry tomato mix (Livingston’s Very Cherry Mix), Lupines, and Dwarf Hollyhocks.

Getting ready to start my next tray very soon!