Garden Progress

My passion for gardening is in full swing right now. Thoughts about seeding, planting, designing and caring for my yard seem to be always on my mind.

Last year, my garden simply never took off as I wanted it to. Not due to my lack of work though, I think there were a couple of reasons.

First, it just didn’t get hot enough in my yard for any length of time for anything to really produce. I think it was just that kind of year.

Sure, I had some tomatoes (very late in September) and a few eggplant, but nothing at all like previous years.

Second, I actually wonder if part of the lack of growth was due to our beehives being moved to a vineyard. I really think the bees played a key roll in the abundance of past years. As soon as my Grandsons get bigger, I’d like to add hives again.

So, this year I’m determined to have a better garden!

A few weeks ago, I went to the local Master Gardeners Sale with my friends Don and Kathy. This was our second year going to this event. It’s an incredible local event showcasing starter plants grown by local master gardeners. All the gardeners are around to help you and advise on any questions you may have.

This year I purchased tomato, cucumber, zucchini, squash and pepper plants. I also picked up the herbs borage, cilantro, parsley and basil. Some vendors were giving away seeds, so I picked up seeds for lemon cucumbers, pole beans and peas.

I’m happy to say all the little cuties I purchased are doing well so far replanted in my yard.

I started my pole bean seeds in peat pots to get them going. After they sprouted, I created a bamboo stick “teepee” in the yard and planted a seedling near each pole.

I had a lot of luck with this setup last year, so I’m hoping for even more promise this year. I’d love to see those poles covered in beans!

I’ll soon be creating another bamboo “teepee” for my sweet peas to attach to.

The potato tubs I began earlier this spring are already filling up with shoots (and hopefully potatoes). I’m really excited about eating my own home grown potatoes this year – especially since it’s my first try at growing them.

I can’t help it, I just get so excited when things actually begin to grow…I think these shoots are just the cutest!

Here’s some of the other babies growing away at this moment:

ahhh I feel like a proud mommy when I see them thriving out there.

On the flower front….

I’ve already filled 3 vases of gorgeous roses to add fragrance to my house. I was so sad when 3 of my rose bushes (which were over 10 years old) were taken out by gophers this winter. I’m not sure what made them go after the roses at this point, but I’m happy some of them survived and are still producing such beauties.

The scents are just amazing and the colors and shapes wow me every time – isn’t nature amazing?!

This year, I started a new “flower” patch in our front yard – I decided I’d like to try to create a bit of a cottage garden in our this area (more about the inspiration on that soon). We have a ton of rosemary plants already set out there, so I’m hoping to mix in a variety of colorful flowering plants to create a sort of “watercolor” feel.

Here are some pics of how it’s going so far:

I’ll be sure to keep you updated as it’s definitely a work in progress.

I just started a bunch of hollyhock seeds I hope to plant amidst the mix soon. If I can keep the gophers at bay, I hope to have a thriving, colorful front yard this year.

Are you having luck this year starting your garden? Any plant or vegetable you’re finding grows well and thrives in your area? Also, any help or advice would be fabulous!

Happy Spring,
~ Lita