The Veggie Gardens

This is the second year to garden. I now have two gardens. One is called the little garden because I fenced off a small area in the backyard and the other is called the big garden because we tilled up a 20 x 40 foot space between a shed and hay pen then fenced it in with 6 foot wire panels. We tried to set our own fence posts but kept running into rock so we hired a guy to drill the holes. The fenced garden area was expanded to more than twice the original size, i.e. more like 57 x 40 feet. The extra will be tilled up next year. One thing at a time since 20 x 40 is a lot to get into shape for the first growing season.

There are five, huge zucchini plants in the little garden.

So far, one zucchini. :D I've been told by an experienced gardener that once the squash starts producing that some people make midnight runs to neighbors' front doors to leave squash. Hmmm, of course, he did not say he was one of those that made the runs, but it does cause one to wonder.

Unlike last year, the tomato bushes are flourishing.

I have tomatoes! I changed some things when planting and the weather has cooperated. I've been told that if the temperature goes over 92 degrees that the fruit will not set. Last year the temps were way over 92 degrees about this time of the year. So far, I think we've only had one or two days with temperatures in the 90's. There are seven tomato plants, two are roma with the rest being a variety so I can see which ones grow best in my soil, etc.

I started with three, big, recycled molasses pots for cucumbers; however, something ate the plants in two of the pots. But, you'll see the flowers in the background so it looks like I'll be having cucumbers. I really need to plant some more cucumber seeds but have been too busy getting the big garden ready.

The snow peas are blooming and climbing. I'm really excited about getting this vegetable. Love snow peas in salads or in stir-fried dishes.

While fresh, green beans are not a particular favorite, I'm trying to learn to like. The green beans are flowering.

Aha! I took exception to paying $1 or more for ONE green pepper, so I planted some seeds. Look close and you'll find one tiny sprout. I bought some transplants which will be in the ground by tomorrow, Tuesday.

The herb garden is lush. The cilantro is flowering and was told this morning that cutting the flowers off will extend the life of the plant. Where are my scissors?

Being from Texas, there isn't a black-eyed pea I don't like, a/k/a cow peas. It is a first time try along with the green peppers and snow peas and I'm not sure if these are doing well or not. They haven't climbed the fence yet.

The big garden is truly ready for planting. After spreading 6 yards of compost and retilling, we dropped some corn in the ground 3-4 weeks ago. Four or five plants came up. I've been told that corn is hard to grow around here. But not to be discouraged, I reworked the entire garden area, started rowing up, and then we had a "gully washer" of a rain last week. Well, what to you know, more corn plants started popping up. Too late because I had to finish the rowing up what had been dug up again. Anyway, according to the Farmer's Almanac's moon planting guide, today and tomorrow are good days for planting corn. Seeds went in this morning. I plan to defy the notion that "corn is hard to grow around here." Stay tuned to see if I have to eat my words. :D Hopefully, I'll be eating corn.

Until next time, God bless.