FMG constructed two raised bed planters in the side yard for us to try out some "gardening" this summer. We started with tomatoes, jalapenos, basil, thyme, rosemary, squash, artichoke (??), and three different kinds of lettuce. WHen FMG gets into one of my projects he REALLY gets into it.
The lettuces were eaten by the squirrels. The thyme died. All but one of the tomato seedlings croaked except one. The artichoke was kind of a joke. (Did you have any idea that it takes YEARS to cultivate an artichoke crop. No kidding.)
The garden is in the side yard, fenced off from the rest of the yard so that sweet Brie stays out of it!
The squash exploded and are doing awesome. Minus the fact that we have a million blossoms and no fruit. Did you know you have to, um, "help" them pollinate sometimes. Me either.
This basil is not the basil we started from seed... that basil didn't make it (squirrels, birds, neglect?). This is basil I picked up at the farmer's market from a guy who cultivates herbs that thrive in our hot south Texas summers. It is a basil beast!
The parsley looks really sad - but its totally my fault. I LOVE flat leaf parsley and put it on or in almost anything. I got a little chop crazy and need to let it fill back in for a week or so.
The jalapeno plants are nice and strong - and we finally have some blossoms. I can't wait for the peppers to come! These are not from the seeds, either. I think next year we'll skip the seeding thing. It was fun - but at least with the established plants I know I'm getting something!
The tomatoes are great - I forgot about caging or staking them... so I tied them to the fence with kitchen twine. Make it work, right?
We have four different kinds - big ones, smaller ones, cherry ones, and some that will be a surprise because we don't remember.
Not bad for a little kitchen garden! Next summer I'll plan better and plant smarter. For now, I just enjoy having my little garden to look at and play in and pick stuff out of. I can see how this gardening thing could get addicting!
I love it! We planted a big herb garden this year and its doing well - but I've never had luck with seeds, so I just buy pre-potted herbs at Central Market (3 for $12) and then transfer them. We have parsley, mint (that comes back every year and grows CRAZY big... it will take over your entire garden), two kinds of basil (lemon and cinnamon), thyme, oregano, chives, lavendar and two rosemary plants that I've had for a few years. LOVE it! We also planted a cherry tomato plant that is really just an endless snack tree for Caroline.
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