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Hello Everyone!
Yesterday (Tuesday), I spent a long time in the garden. I concentrated
mostly on the continued amendments of the veggie patch, but also
planted some of the morning glory starts. I had started them in a
cottage cheese container between damp paper towels, they ended up
growing through the paper towel and up the container). I planted them
under some of my bushier plants in hopes that they will get shelter if
it does get overly chilly.
I fiddled and faddled adding more
horse manure, 2.5 bags of top soil, peat moss, sand and ash. Working
back and forth, turning the soil in over and over, and back and forth
some more. My blisters returned! I hadn't been digging to that extreme
in at least 3 weeks! I will have to purchase a nice rototiller when I
get a larger garden area, it would be well worth it! Just think, I will
have so much pride when I get to harvest my veggies though! It's all
done by hand, every bit of it!
After working in the garden for
most the mid-morning to afternoon, we went for a walk to visit my
Mother-In-Law and see what she was up too. She had to head out to town
so we didn't stay long, instead we wandered around looking at some of
the flowers blooming in her yard. She has a really pretty area with red
tulips, grape hyacinths, the prettiest daffodiles (they must be called
a "double" or something, I will look it up tomorrow) and oregano. Below
are some pictures, I really recommend this time clicking on the images to make them larger to see the lovely details (especially the daffodil):
Above:
Grape Hyacinths, Red Tulips, Daffodils and Oregano (I think it is since
I smash it between my fingers and I smell oregano) and my daughter
stopping to smell the flowers.
Above:
What I think is oregano (not sure) because when I squish it between my
fingers it smells like oregano and my Mother-In-Law thinks that is what
it is (she's the one who planted it). It's a pretty little plant and I
transplanted some more into my garden (from my Mother-In-Law's garden).
While my daughter napped, I did some more fiddle-faddling in the
veggie patch amending like crazy. When I felt I had done my best I
decided it was time to build a natural trellises. My trellis has 3 pine
branches and Jute natural string. It turned out really neat! I am going
to make some more only slightly modified for my cucumbers to climb in
the few days. Below are a few pictures:
After
I finished the trellis I planted a row of peas (only half the length of
trellis) with some older pea seeds I had from 2 years ago. I watered
them in and by then it was dark out (above pictures show how dark it
was, my daughter was using a flashlight...lol) I figure it was natures
way of saying to go inside and take a break, the day is done.
Today
we spent most of the day inside because it was sunny but overly chilly
outside. I found it hard to "want" to go out there and work, PLUS I was
so sore all over! My left calf is extremely sore (is that the way you
spell the body part...hum???). I am currently applying heat to it since
it's been sore the entire day.
After deciding we needed some
fresh air despite the fact that the day hadn't improved (it was
supposed to be an amazingly beautiful day, but to our disappointment it
was not nice!), we headed out to the garden. I still have lots of
flower seeds to plant and I have been wanting to get my veggie patch
planted. I have been so cautious not to plant until I am totally
convinced that my soil amended to the best of my abilities, but I
really needed to get my veggies in.
I
have a few more spots to add veggies, but I am not sure what I want to
plant in those spaces. I have quite a few more to plant. I have more
cucumber seeds (which I will be building a modified natural trellis
soon), more carrots, lettuce (I have two kinds and would really love
fresh lettuce), and tomato (I doubt I will get fruit off of them, but I
still want to try, I will probably plant them in pots instead of in my
veggie patch that way I save space, can move them to sunny spots, and
can bring them to a safe space when it gets frosty...oh-how I do not
want to think about frost....).
Above is a picture of my clematis (Nelly Moser). First year having it grow in my garden and I can't wait to see how it does!
I wrote a blog entry late last night (May 8th - Midnight-1 a.m), but didn't want to post it too early so it wouldn't get bumped off too soon. If anyone is interested in that blog entry from yesterday I have it posted on my "other" blog at:
The entry will be under today's post titled "Re-Post From Garden Guides.com Blog Entry....".
It is titled: "Busy, Busy, Day Outside...."
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May 9th, 2009
Today I bought more seeds.....hence the name of this blog entry - "SEED CRAZY"!!! The seeds were only 47 cents, so I couldn't pass that bargain up!
FLOWERS:
Stocks - Giant Imperial Mixed - Annual - They are only supposed to grow to 12-18" but that doesn't exactly scream "Giant" like the name suggests.
Marigold - Sparky Mixed Colors - Annual - I really am not a fan, but my Mother-In-Law bought some Marigold flowers and I actually like the look from far away, so I thought I would try them. Plus they're supposed to keep rodents away from veggies (supposedly, I have not first hand knowledge of this though).
Morning Glory - Heavenly Blue - Annual - I LOVE Morning Glories! I have never tried the blue ones, and I figured they would go wonderfully with my pink variety! I CAN'T wait!
Four O'Clock - Marvel of Peru - Already had some of these, but I wanted to buy some more since they state "Tolerant of poor soil and heat". This will be my first year with these.
Wild Flower Mix - All Purpose Mixture - Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials - Doesn't say how tall, or what kind of flowers are in it. I would be interested to see if I can identify any of them from the seed.
VEGGIES:
Dill - Herb - Annual - Never grew Dill, but my Mom has and I remember when you'd brush up against it sometimes you could smell it. This is more of a try it and see how I like it thing.
Pumpkin - Jack O'Lantern - Pumpkins get to be 10" diameter (so not too big). I will have to find the perfect place for these guys to go. Fingers crossed they work, Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday!
Pepper - Early California Wonder - Never tried Peppers before, but it does say to start "10-12 weeks before plants are required for garden" and I would be putting them out here in about 3-5 weeks, so I am a bit behind. But who knows it may work. If not I will save some of these seeds for next year and try then.
Tomato - Cherry - I wish I had started these already, but we'll just have to see how these go as well. It "says", 65-90 day for maturity if planted outdoors, but I think I will try some indoors tomorrow. The days to maturity if planted in doors is 45-55 days.
Tomato - Rutgers - Same as above, I wish they were already started like 3 weeks ago.
Tomato - Starfire Improved - Packet "says" it's a good early variety and does well in short season areas. This packet "says" to have started these seeds 8-10 weeks before wanting them outside. I think I am behind and would likely put them out in 3-5 weeks too.
Tomato - Bush Beefsteak - Same situation as above, should have them in already, but we'll just have to see.
Carrot - Scarlet Nantes - Can always use lots of carrot seeds, I will try to plant some in two - four week batches.
Radish - Cherry Belle - My Husband and Father-In-Law like radishes, so these will be for them. They are a Veggie that I can plant fairly close together (rows 6" apart) so I should be able to get quite a bit out of a small area.
.....and that is all!
Long list, but I am looking forward to my bounty as well as my trial and errors.
I worked out in the garden for about 45 minutes, but Hannah wasn't in the mood to stay out there long. I was able to get my rock wall re-built in it's new lay-out. Then Hannah wanted to go and find Grandma. I was able to sidetrack her by asking her to find Grandma the perfect rock. Unfortunately it didn't last long, every rock she picked up was perfect according to Hannah (rocks are everywhere now, since I am stacking them in piles as I pull them out of the soil).
I hope tomorrow she will stay out there longer because I have SO MUCH work to do out there.
Garden Goals:
1.) Finish amending/digging the veggie patch.
2.) Finish planting the 5-6 perennials I still have to plant.
3.) Figure out where to plant all my seeds.
4.) Finish leveling out the area that I left with huge mounds of dirt on it.
5.) Build Natural Trellises - Using branches found on the property and maybe some natural twine (? not positive on that one yet). I need to build lots for all the Morning Glories!
6.) Fertilize my flowers (especially the bulbs).
7.) Put some mulch down on the areas I have messed up, and re-up the old mulch.
8.) More and more and more....but I love every minute of it!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THOSE MOTHER'S OUT THERE (AND A HAPPY GRANDMOTHER'S DAY TOO!!)
More tomorrow!
~M~
We spent some time outside in the afternoon, but the sun that was out
earlier in the day had disappeared by the time we got out there. It was
windy, but really mild and warm. We watered the garden (Hannah helped
me...that was interesting...) and I started expanding the area that had
veggies last year. I am planning on doubling the size roughly in hopes
that I can plant some tomatoes, my zucchini and cucumbers and just
possibly some carrots. I will have to make some other areas to be sure
I can include all the veggies I want since I doubt that they will all
fit in the one area I am doubling. I need to do some more research in
how the sun hits the area back there because it is behind my house and
at some parts of the day my house blocks the sunlight to the garden
area. I will have to see what happens back there because I have my eye
on a certain area in the woodsy part that is somewhat open and gets
quite a lot of sun as far as I have seen. I am running plans through my
head trying to figure out how to get a raised garden bed built back
there. I think when Kyle gets home (or sooner if I can get to the
hardware store and somehow get the lumber cut, screws and stakes to
make one). I am not totally positive it gets enough sunlight, but I
will keep checking as the days get closer and closer to the "summer
sun" levels in the sky. My alternative to building one raised garden
bed is to buy a/some livestock rubber feeders (I will have to check the
safety of the rubber though) and filling those with soil and placing
them around the front of my house for the veggies. That may still
happen even if I get a raised bed because I love FRESH VEGGIES and can
always fill empty spaces with veggies/flowers. I am just lacking space
for a true vegetable garden at the moment.
I really need to make
my flower gardens better. I have had a hard time planning out my garden
due to the fact that I have had to just plant things all over the place
hoping they would grow. Some took while others died and each year I
have replaced things with different combinations of flowers hoping they
will fill in and work out. I need to step back and look at what I have
for height, creeping and bushy plants, then move accordingly. Oie!
Oh,
I also need to do some research on how to split (or what is the
word.....humm....well, I can't remember the word at this moment...) my
perennials that are growing in thicker and pretty close together. I
know you can do that with some perennials, but I don't know how. I will
have to try and find out tomorrow (or in the next few days). I still
haven't moved my Day Lilies and they are getting a bit bigger each day
as the weather is getting nicer/warmer.
I wonder, what looks best....one bed that is strictly spring flowers....or spring flowers spread through out.
I
don't know if I currently like them spread out. Maybe it's because I
don't have very many spring bulbs yet and that there is really only one
spring flower in each bed. 2 tulip plants, 2 crocus bunches, and 2
hyacinths all spread out over quite a large area. I just wonder what I
should do about that....hum...Any suggestions or ideas? What do you
have, where do you put your spring bulbs?
I have to sort this
out...I am feeling quite itchy to make some change. I don't know why,
but I feel like it is just not working out there. I may be biting off
more than I can chew though with all my digging back there. I still
haven't finished the area I am leveling out for Hannah and I haven't
finished amending the soil in areas I want to plant veggies (due to the
fact I am expanding and finding more rocks to remove).
Oie, oie, oie!! I have a lot of work to do!!
I will post some more pictures soon.
Hope all is well, and that the weather dries up a bit for all those people getting dumped on! Happy Gardening!!
~M~
So, I decided to list all of the seeds I bought for this season. I wonder how successful I will be this year and I go to sleep with thoughts of a beautiful garden dancing in my head. So here is a list of my seeds:
List of seed packets that I had some-to-good success with last year that I wanted to try again this year:
Bachelor Buttons - Double Mixed Colors (Annual)
Nasturtium - Jewel Mixed (Annual)
Thunbergia Vine - Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Annual - but should re-seed if grown successfully) - I had minimal sucess with these last year so I am hoping things will go better this year and they will take and grow well.
Candytuft - Umbellata Mixed Colors (Annual) - I liked these quite abit and they bloomed from directly from seed planted outside directly into the soil.
Sunflower - Velvet Queen (Annual) - I planted these and only got one to grow, but it was pretty although it didn't get to be full size. It only grew to be about 3 feet tall.
Morning Glory - Imperialis (Annual) - These are the same type of seeds that I planted and then successfully harvested the seeds that stayed out all winter. I then put those seeds between damp paper towels and got them to sprout. I am so thrilled!
Cosmo
s - Sensation (Annual) - I planted these last year, but wasn't very sucessful, but it may have been due to poor soil (clay). I was able to get them to grown and a few flowered, but very small and weak flowers.
Alyssum - Carpet of Snow (Annual) - I planted last year but didn't get a very successful show of white flowers, hope for a better outcome this season.
Sweet Pea - Royal Family Mixed (Annual) - I planted these last year and was so happy with them and I can't wait for them to bloom this season!
New seeds to try this season:
Four O' Clock - Marvel of Peru (Annual)
Columbine - Pink Tower (Perennial)
Black-Eyed Susan (Perennial)
Sunflower - Lemon Queen (Annual)
Zinnia - Giant Dahlia (Annual)
Zinnia - California Giant Mix (Annual)
Alyssum - Rosie O' Day (Annual)
Brachycome - Swan River Daisy (Annual)
Gypsophila - Baby's Breath (Annual)
Matthiola - Night Scented Stocks (Annual) - Supposidly super fragrant, I can't wait to see how these develop!
Delphinium - Pacific Giants (Perennial) - I wonder though if these require their seeds to "re-seed" in order to come back the next year or if they just come back each year on their own?
Flowering Bean Vine - Scarlet Runner (Annual) - I am also excited to see how these grow! I am not quite sure where I am going to put them just yet, but ever so excited!!
Random Seed Packets:
Cut Flower Mixture (Annuals for full/semi-sun)
Annua
l Cut Flower - Sun Mix (Annual)
Vegetable
Seeds:
Zucchin
i - Black Beauty
Broccoli - Green Sprouting
Cucumber - National Pickling - I wonder if this can be eaten like a regular cucumber or if these have to be pickled to taste okay.
Peas - Lincoln Homesteader
Peas - Lincoln - I don't know if these are the same as the ones above.
Lettuce - Grand Rapids
Lettuce - Buttercrunch
Carrot - Danvers
Beans - Stringless Green Pod (bush) - Never tried growing beans, so this is definitely new to me!
I plan to buy some tomato plants from a nursery (well, so far that is my plan, but I may change my mind and try to grown my own from seeds). I would also like to try some pumpkin seeds, and maybe even a watermelon. There is a type of watermelon developed on the east coast of Canada called the Montreal Melon. It was thought to have been lost forever, but some researchers/historians found some seeds and have revived the melon. I "googled" the melon and found a place that sells the melon seeds. I may try to buy some but I can't justify putting less than a $5 charge on my credit card. If I find more on their site that I might want to buy I may order them then. Either way, the story of the Montreal Melon is a very interesting story and I will try to write more on it at a later date.
So, today I checked my seeds (the ones from outside) that I put in between the damp paper towels to see if they are sprouting. To my absolute surprise and excitement the morning glory seeds have sprouted! I took a picture of the sprouts and posted them below. I didn't think that between the sweet-pea seeds and the morning glory seeds that the morning glory's would be the first to sprout, but I am thrilled!!
I am in such awe with the fact that I have been able to plant something in seed form last spring, have them grow and produce flowers, develop into seed pods and then in the spring, harvest those seeds and have them successfully sprout! The only thing that will make this feeling better will be when/if these grow and produce flowers and continue this cycle! What an awesome feeling!
Mor
e to come later! I will write about a few questions that I have regarding my African Violet too!
~M~
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