Garden 2013 wk 1

It's hard to believe it's that time again, but I'm very excited that it is.
Spring is in the air!  I know it isn't official yet, but it sure feels like it.

pea seedlings

This is actually wk 2 for my 2013 garden.  A week ago I planted several seeds and this week they have sprouted.  Tomato seeds and peas are going strong.  It's amazing each time I plant a seed, to see how God brings it forth.

tomato seedlings

Last week I also ordered some seeds and they arrived today...  

seeds from Gurney's and Baker Heirloom seeds

pepper seeds, more tomato seeds, borage, carrots, okra, mesclun, leaf lettuce, echinacea, stevia, mustard seeds, cress, parsnip, and cantaloup.  I'm still waiting for my plants: kiwi, grapes, raspberries, goji berries, lemon grass, strawberries, and an olive tree.

Since we are still living with a friend, I am still having to think and garden with transporting my garden in mind.  I've planted 4 raspberry bushes already, a strawberry/lettuce pallet, and I planted a few herbs and Swiss Chard.

rosemary, oregano, parsley

Swiss Chard

rosemary, thyme, cilantro

strawberry/lettuce pallet

I'll be doing another strawberry pallet since I'm awaiting 25 more strawberry plants.  I actually have 3 more pallets and I am trying to figure out what to do with the other 2.  I know I'll figure it out, but right now my mind is blank.  I've got a ton of pots and I've laid out 2 cinder block gardens that I plan to dismantle because they are temporary and I don't feel like breaking them down to move them later, plus where they are will be completely shaded in a couple of months and there isn't much I am growing that will grow in full shade..  So I'll arrange everything to be in pots.  I also purchased 2 55 gallon barrels that I'll cut in half and turn into 4 separate garden beds.  I'll get pics of those later.

I have access to the most amazing compost and some year old wood chip mulch.  I'll be gardening in pots using the Back to Eden method.  The movie is a must see and really makes you change your perspective on gardening.  I wish someone had shown me this method 12 years ago, but I'm thankful to know it now.  It's also because of this method that I know God does not have it in mind for me to take Master gardener classes.

When I'm blessed once again with land, I'll be using the Back to Eden and Square Foot gardening methods simultaneously. 


A couple of weeks ago I went to a friends and helped her get her garden prepped....

Rich black compost

wood chip mulch added on top of compost

When I look at her first garden plot (she's planning several more beds on their 2 acres), I see what I am hoping for.  The only difference will be that my beds will consists of many, many square foot garden beds using the Back to Eden method for growing in.
 
I'm excited and anticipating great things!!!

What are you planning for your spring planting?  I do want to encourage those with small spaces, living in apartments or renting homes that won't allow them large plots of land for gardening.  You can ALWAYS use pots.  You may only be able to grow one or two things, but that is one more thing you are growing and one less thing you are buying.  So plant away!!!!

Tasha

WHEW...

I'm not sure where the time is going.  I don't have much time to do anything it seems.  School is seriously back in full swing and it's keeping me busy far beyond what I thought.  I have one day a week to just relax and with preparing my garden on that day, I don't do much else.  I get online check email and that's about it.  I was watching YouTube videos daily, but not anymore.  I'm not complaining, just really ready to get school over.

So, I'm trying to get ready for spring by planting seeds and looking to move my garden beds.  I have 4 beds that range in size from 4x2 - 4x8.  I filled them partly with compost and then covered them completely in leaves.  I also have several pots as well that have various things in them and I covered them with leaves for the winter as well.

I've planted a slew of seeds, tomatoes, lettuces, spinach, peas, green beans, swiss chard, carrots, greens, onions, leeks, garlic, etc.  I'm hoping to be able to order some more seeds in the next week, as well as some strawberries, berry bushes, and prayerfully a couple of fruit trees.
Since we are still not in our own home, I'm having to put 90% of my things in pots or totes.  I plan to put my fruit trees and bushes in the totes, my strawberries will be in pallets.  My asparagus are still in pots and I'll leave them their, though I think I will add more compost to them.  I'm still not sure where to put my garden beds, the area is mostly shaded.

I can't wait to get back into my own place.  It really is frustrating and a great patience training.  I have to keep reminding myself that this is temporary and when it's all said and done and I've pushed through, I will have accomplished so much for myself and my kids.

So what's your greatest frustration and greatest accomplishment? 

Tasha

Container Gardening

I live on 2 beautiful acres and love to get my hands dirty gardening.  However, this year, the 2 acres is over grown with weeds and grass about 2 feet high right now and the lawnmower is broke.  Prayerfully it will be fixed soon!!!  I don't have the finances to purchase and build my square foot garden beds this year, so I opted for something I never thought I would need on 2 acres of land.  I'm growing a few things in pots and a wheelbarrow.

I was literally sick to my stomach seeing all the gardens in our area and a few friends have gardens as well.  I've garden almost every year we've been in the country, so when I'm unable to, it just doesn't feel right to me.  So, we had  a wheelbarrow that was wheel-less and I filled it with some good soil, also inherited my mother's pots and filled them with soil.  Then I began planting.  At the moment, I have 8 tomato plants and will need about 2 more.  We love tomatoes!  I've planted 7 asparagus plants that I got from a friend.  I also planted some onions and basil.  I've got to meet up with my friend again to get some of her mint clippings.  I planted basil with some of the tomatoes and will plant the mint with the other tomatoes.  They both help keep certain pests away from the tomatoes. 

I'm so excited over the little I was able to do.  I made a mini green house with a casserole dish and a plastic shower cap and planted some seeds I had...zucchini, cucumbers, and peppers.  Hopefully they will do well and I can get them in pots.  I will have all the ingredients at least for some awesome salsa!!!

I remember all the years we lived in apartments and all the plants I had growing in pots EVERYWHERE..inside and outside.  I had my house plants inside and I had pots of various vegetables growing outside.  I had the most fun and it was so delicious to be able to go outside and pick the fresh veggies from our front and back porch or balcony.  One year we bought the kids a small plastic kiddie pool and put it out front for them.  I got the grand idea to get another one and put holes in the bottom for drainage and filled it with soil on our back porch.  I grew tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, lettuce, onions, and peppers.  I never let the fact that we were in small spaces stop me from growing some of our food.  It was fun!  It was delicious!  It was preparation for the 2 acres.  I just never thought I'd have to do it again, but I'm grateful that I know how. 

Hmmmmm, speaking of which, I think I just may go get one of those small pools and do a repeat!!!! 

So do you have a garden this year?  Have I inspired you to plant some things in pots? 

Tasha