My left hamstring has been incredibly tight since the race, so this weekend will likely not mean a long run for me. So, I'm trying to plan my days accordingly. Trying to fill them to the brim with production and relaxing activities. Tomorrow we're spending an "intimate evening" with Andy Samberg (really, that's what the poster says for the event). And I couldn't be more thrilled. If you've been living under a rock, Andy Samberg is on SNL. He's hilarious. Google him.
Anyway, Saturday's weather is supposed to be especially brilliant (yes, too much of Jaime Oliver's Food Revolution), so we're planning a 20-mile bike trek to a nearby river town. 40 miles in all. That is, if our bikes are in OK condition to make sure a voyage. I'm sure after a quick tune-up, we'll be good to go.
But another item on the agenda is to start planting a garden. We have a (very) small plot (probably 3 feet by 5 feet) in our backyard where we've grown anything from basil to pumpkins to peppers. We even grew that proud pumpkin you see below. But how that happened is an entirely different story. Basically, Stephen is the expert of the two of us in this particular area. I don't have a green thumb. Really, it's more out of choice than lack of talent. I just haven't gotten into the whole growing and gardening thing. But I'd like to try.
As I mentioned in my last Foodie Book Club post -- one of my goals is to make a meal using entirely locally grown ingredients. Of course, it's be cool if those ingredients could not only be grown in my zip code, but also at my own address. What do you think?
Here's the thing. We could totally use your help with this project. We have the time. We have a small budget. We even have some compost we could throw on there (more about that in another post). And we certainly have the desire to grow a little garden.
- But -- most importantly -- what should we grow? (Veggies, herbs, etc.?)
- Should we expand the plot to allow room for variety?
- What plants do well with little maintenance?
- What plants are the most rewarding, even if they're difficult to maintain?
- Should we go with seeds or small plants?
- How should we organize everything?
- How can we keep critters out? (We live in town, but still -- we get animals.)
Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!
14 comments:
I'm totally learning as I go with gardening this year. We used the square foot method - a totally helpful book that may be worth checking out.
I would grow some squash, zucchini and herbs. I started everything from seeds a few weeks ago and they're thriving! I also so lots of starters available at the farmer's market - so they're local as well.
I wish I could have an intimate evening with him. And then he will sing some shy-ronnie to me. hahah. I hope the hamstring gets better!
I agree about the squash/zucchini/herb suggestion. Back in good ole Wellsboro I did the same. They require little help to flourish. I grew up in Fort, Wayne Indiana and we had a HUGE garden and green house. My parents used to drive to Chicago every weekend and sell herbs to restaurants in the city. We had cherry trees, apple trees, grape vines, red raspberries, corn, broccoli, zucchini, sugar snap peas, pumpkins, brussel sprouts, peppers, tomatoes... I could go on and on.... My neighbors grow tomatoes and peppers successfully as well, but they require some support (literally). If you can swing it, why not expand? I think you're starting to push it to start from seeds, but you should be good. Who does love fresh basil, mint, rosemary, thyme... lol. I'm jealous! Have fun!
I would use the in-between method for herbs and a raised bed for that plot. The in-between method is essentially growing different things, and incorporating them into your other landscaping. This method can prevent insect infestation and use less water. In addition, perennial items will appear in early spring effortlessly.
Deciding what to grow is as easy as really just looking at what you like to eat and what would be most useful to you. For us that's tomatoes, peppers, various cold weather veggies and herbs. I would plant your herbs separately, as they tend to spread and self-germinate.
As for what to buy, I would do small plants. You are pretty well past the the last date to seed for summer produce. If the weather holds, you could definitely still seed for a fall "cold" garden sometime in August.
For critters, the only thing you can do to maintain organic status is fence and plant things to attract insects to deter them from your veggies. I recommend planting marigolds around your plot.
Kudos to you! I'm excited to read your local meal challenge, and to see what you come up with.
Square-foot gardening is sooo awesome, you should totally check it out. My main garden space is about 10 x 20, with a row of 4x4 beds along each long side, and a 2 foot wide path down the middle. Path is essential. Any space that's wider than 4' is going to be hard to reach into (to weed and water) and difficult to maintain.
Easy plants: arugala, lettuces, radishes, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers. All these can be grown directly from seed.
Plants that may take a little more babying but are still awesome: carrots, beets, (dig down really deep and make sure your soil is well-turned for these two), tomatoes, peppers. Hot peppers are easier than bells, for me. Broccoli is also pretty easy, if you buy little plants.
Between now and mid-May, you can sow lettuces and other greens, carrots, and beets outdoors. Broccoli plants are also safe to set in the ground. After the last frost, everything else can go in: tomato and pepper plants, green beans, squash, etc.
Re: critters. Borrow my trap. Enough said. :)
I agree with Jessica (who sounds like an expert) that a raised bed is the way to go -- a lot easier to control soil quality, etc. What's the in-between method??
The in-between method is really just growing things as part of your regular landscaping. I grow my herbs among my flowers and ornamental grasses. As many herbs are perennial, they'll emerge each year and look fabulous.
Well I have the blackest of all thumbs but growing up our whole backyard was filled with wonderful fruits and veggies. I remember we always had tons of tomatoes (especially the small plum kind) and lots of green beans, that seemed pretty hardy. And my mom had all kinds of pests - rabbits, birds, a tortoise that eats just about everything, and dogs that love to gnaw on carrots. She made a wire 'cage' for everything that was a pretty big pain in the butt (and not pretty at all) enclosed it all. The top part was secured on by hooks around the perimeter (the fence was about 3 feet high) and there was a hinge in the middle so either side opened up pretty easily. It worked out really well.
And yes, you should DEFINITELY make your space a little bigger. Maybe you should look into getting raised boxes, just about 1 foot above the floor...maybe like 2 or 3 of them. Things tend to grow better because you are bringing in soil that is meant for them and it's a huge help with irrigation and drainage. you could make them like 4 feet wide by 6 feet long, or however large you want it, then build the 'cage' right on the inside of them. One could be veggies, the other fruits and herbs? I dunno.
Good luck! I can't wait to have the room to start my own garden.
Next to running, gardening is my absolute favorite hobby. In fact, this weekend I am planting all my little seeds. I did all the tilling a few weeks ago and built my little fence around the garden. I think everyone above give great advice and I don't have much to add. The only plants I plant as actually plants (as opposed to seeds) are tomatoes. Everything else I plant the seeds. Give yourself loads of room for anything squash related. I prefer in the ground as opposed to raised boxes. That's just my preference...i guess because I love digging down into the earth and I like using the soil that's there. I love watering and weeding and tending my little garden. If I could sleep in it I would lol.
and by the way, you aren't past the time to plant at all. For us up in the Northeast, best to wait until all danger of frost has past, which is sometime in May depending on where you live. I am planting this weekend and I am in southeastern PA.
If you grew zucchini, tomatoes, and eggplant with some parsley,
oregano, and chives, you could prepare eggplant stuffed with herbed seasoned zucchini and tomatoes! And I would cheat and top it with a little cheese!!!
You have got a nice garden out there. I think a connection with plants means a connection with the nature itself. Iflorist.co.uk
Looks like your plot is in a good location. If you can make it bigger that would be ideal versus "square foot gardening". Plants need space and nutrients and grow better with less disease when they are spaced out and air can get around them nicely. I use 2-3 ft rabbit fence that is inexpensive at most home improvement stores and I never have trouble with critters. As far as what to grow, you should just think about what you like to eat and plant those plants. I don't find most veggie plants difficult to grow.... Moving from the desert to the east coast was an amazing thing for me because I don't have to water my garden very often, especially in the spring. Most importantly have fun, be creative and enjoy your harvest. Growing my own food is one of the best things about having a yard!
It all depends on what veg you like best. I find we get the most bang for our buck with tomato plants. I've always started them from small plants, they do require a cage and some care, but they tend to produce so much compared to other plants I've tried!
I'll grow cold weather resistant veg from seeds, but I don't have my act together enough to start the others indoors so usually go with small plants for any vines veg.
As for critters, depends on what kind you're worried about. An inexpensive wire fence will keep bunnies out, for certain bugs you can plants marigolds and my favorite ~ nasturtiums, which are also edible!
Good luck with your garden!
Post a Comment