Monday, May 19, 2014

Gardening Again


It's been three years since I have really done any gardening and longer still since I've done gardening on a scale large enough to produce much of anything other than a few herbs and flowers and the occasional tomato. Our frequent moves have not been conducive to planting a full scale garden. But our current rental house has a nice multi-level deck.  While we use the upper deck that is near the kitchen area for grilling, eating outside, feeding the birds and star gazing, we haven't used the lower deck--until now.  It is a nice, sunny spot with built in benches and has a nearby faucet and is therefore perfect for container gardening.

Over the years, the movers have managed to break almost all of my terra cotta pots, so I recently made a couple of trips to the garden center and hauled home large plastic containers and many bags of potting soil.

The tomatoes have already doubled in size in the last week.  I planted meslun lettuce mix seeds or nasturtiums around the tomatoes.  The lettuce seeds are sprouting already.
There is a mix of containers from what I had on hand, what the previous tenants left behind and the new ones I just purchased. I planted herb seeds in most of the pots.
The little cucumber is already growing like crazy. I planted only heirloom tomatoes and three types of peppers.
Basil and swiss chard seeds are already sprouting.  The others take longer to germinate.

Not pictured are three hanging planters with strawberry plants that my son asked for. Strawberries were the one thing he wanted to grow.

There is not much green showing yet, but hopefully I can post an update in a few weeks. But, let's be honest, I might just be growing squirrel food. They've already been through daily to dig in the dirt.

12 comments:

  1. I did put a tomatow plant in a pot on the patio last year and the deer ate all the green tomatoes as soon as they were visible. Got nary a tomato from that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your container garden looks safe from deer. I hope you get a many salads from your hard work.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not sure it is safe from deer. They walk right by the deck and I doubt they'd mind poking their noses through for a nibble.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great garden! I have only one patio/deck in our little apartment, but I garden as much as I can out there! This year peas, strawberries and herbs. No tomatoes yet, although I have in previous years. My little garden brings a smile to my face quite often, and I am sure your's will too, provided the squirrels don't get it! good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I you have a deer problem, try putting some smelly bad soap (think Irish Spring) in a nylon stocking and hanging it from the patio somehow. They do not like the scent of the soap and will stay away. It has deterred them from my trees every spring!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! It hasn't been warm consistently enough to grow anything here. I just planted some basil plants and hoping they make it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm ready to see "my" garden that dad planted start to really bring in food. This looks neat and convenient too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am happy you are able to garden this year. I like how you decided to do it. I am excited for your strawberry plants. YUMMY!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great container garden! I keep the cat out of my garden, especially when it's just starting, by sprinkling pepper flakes over it and sticking short bamboo stakes randomly throughout the dirt. Happy growing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your garden looks lovely! I am just enjoying my tomato plant as well. I just had some yummy sweet tomatoes in my salad a few days ago.

    ReplyDelete