Garden Report

Well this is the 3rd week in a row that the Saturday Garden Report has been late. I might need to change the title to “Weekend Garden Report”.

I am hoping to get out to the garden and plant the 3rd box today. Just need hubby to build another box fence to keep my dogs and neighborhood birds out. We have them on the other two boxes and they are working wonderfully!

We’ve also decided to cut down my empty 12 x 4 box and make 2 more 4 x 4s instead. They are a lot more manageable to fill at one time, and care for and then also to build the box fence around. I am hoping to have a total of 6 4 x 4 boxes for the fall garden…more if we can get the budget to allow for a couple more to be built and filled.

The compost bin just a few weeks ago.

The compost is already depleted by 50%! 😛 I used it in box 1 a bit and a lot for box 3. I’ve decided I need 4 smaller compost bins: this way one for 3 months, then let is sit and cook while I move onto filling the next one. Then when the 2nd is full I move onto filling the 3rd and can begin using the first. I got this idea from my friend Donna who composts in a similar manner but in layered beds. I don’t have the space for layered compost beds. 🙁

Ok, now onto the report!

Seriously, this is the cherry tomato plant that would not die! It has been attacked by sun and tomato worms. It was over-cut by me trying to save it…it came back.

I gave it a good dose of compost last weekend and I see a lot of new growth. There have even been a few buds but nothing developed…yet.

I can’t pull something that is trying so hard to survive!

One of my lovely containers of a gourmet lettuce mix from Seeds Now (100% non-gmo). I have 3 different containers of various sizes of this lettuce mix and I can’t wait to have a homegrown salad!

Box 1: There is a lot sprouting up here that can’t really be seen – Swiss Chard, onions, carrots and Brussels Sprouts. What you see in the front are radishes. This is my first time planting radishes and they are awesome! They sprout up very quickly – this is only 2 weeks of growth…AMAZING!

We are BIG radish eaters but I am thinking of pickling some…anyone have a good recipe to share?

Box 2: Tons of carrots!!!! I planted a yellow Amarillo carrot and the Cosmic Purple carrot; both from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (also 100% non-gmo and all heirloom). I also have broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts in this box.

I, sadly, had to pull the Lemon Squash. It just withered up. I think the white fly, that continues to plague me, got it. I replaced it with some broccoli that I had already sprouted.

I was also able to collect some eggs from the girls this morning. They don’t usually lay until about 10:00 am but I suspect no one gathered yesterday when I was gone…