Remember my challenge to grow a big chunk of my own food this year and declare some measure of food freedom?
Things are coming along nicely! So far in the garden we have lots of peas and radishes coming up, a nice strawberry patch, pumpkins, and about a dozen tomato plants. We still have some stuff growing indoors too and I hope to hit my local farmer’s market for some zucchini and cucumber seedlings. I am very pleased with how everything is coming along.
Strawberries:
Our rows of sugar snap peas and radishes:
Up close radishes:
And our island of wild as I like to call it. It is a big kidney shaped island of wild flowers, bulbs, and onions that sits right in the middle of the lawn.
How is your garden growing?
Fabulous! I’m starting to get my garden in shape – and will be planting May 1st – that’s the day to plant around here. Problem is: I don’t know what NOT to plant! I want to grow and eat it all! ;) My 5yo will be helping me again this year, something that we started doing together with he was 3yo. He’s excited about the bean teepee he’ll be creating to play in…and eat!
Happy Growing!
Lia
http://www.LiaMack.com
I have a small container garden with basil and cherry tomatoes (tomatoes new this year) I’m taking it one plant at a time due to me reoccurring brown thumb ;) so far so good.
So lovely and lush!
love your blog! and your garden looks like it’s going to be so nice. we tried one, but the animals in our yard destroyed it. we need to buil a little fenced in area. do you have any problems w/wildlife? any tips?
Put pinwheels all around your garden to keep pests out.
OMG! It is so exciting to see how your garden is coming along. With all the bad food in the groceries… I told my husband I would like for us to have our own garden. But I am on the fence with this decision. The only thing is … I hate to destroy a perfectly sodded yard. But maybe you are just the inspiration I need. Thanks for sharing…
If you’re worried about the yard- build raised beds! I think they are much easie to care for also. Combine raised beds wth “square foot gardening” and you’ll have a sure fire winner- and it will look clean and smart! :-D
Ours is progressing nicely. Some trouble with a gopher getting into the front yard garden, but he’s only taken one plant so far. The main garden in back is all containers that gophers can’t get into, despite some pretty good attempts by one.
Great photos, Tiffany! I am so glad your garden is coming along well. We have only the tomato plant as our dog would munch on veggies in the back garden. However, we do have a sweet little green tomato growing on it already. :) I just love gardens – the idea of producing your own food is so exciting. Keep us posted! :)
oh wow! I am so jealous ;) I really want a garden too for many of the same reasons as all of you. I want it natural and cheap! Since our son’s Eczema, we really watch our food ingredients and this is the one way that I can be sure what our whole family is consuming and staying healthy! The Vidazorb is still doing well with him, but I just love how our family has changed in regards to natural and pure items! Caroline
Your plot looks great! My husband helped me build three 4×8 raised beds (we’re in southern Ohio, need I say more!). My seedlings to date (not in the garden yet, but in the starter egg cartons) are purple heirloom tomatoes, red beefsteak tomatoes, sweet cherry tomatoes, eggplant, hot peppers, banana peppers, sweet colored peppers, green peppers, jack-o-lantern pumpkins, heirloom dixie watermelon, cantaloupe, marigolds…and I picked up dill, genovese basil, greek oregano, and french tarragon plants last weekend. This weekend (or next) are the in-ground dates for my area. I also have seeds for green beans, peas, armenian cukes, zuchinni, cukes, cilantro and I can’t remember what all else! I still have to get beets too! I will be growing the cukes on lines up my fence ;) Some of the tomatoes will go in pots. The herbs will be placed in my cottage flower bed, esp since the tarragon is a perennial here. WOW! I have so much to do! Good thing my kids are loving it so far! My five year old has been a big help with getting seeds started. Her fingers are just the right size for grasping tiny objects ;)
I am doing a raised bed garden for my first real garden. Last year I did a few containers & our neighbor’s rooster destroyed everthing. So do you have any suggestions for safety doing a raised bed garden?? I have read that the kind of wood you choose is important & also have been told to line it with black tarp??? Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
Beautiful.
Congrats!!
I wish I had a yard. Growing your own food is one of the best things you can do–in general!