The sun came out yesterday. I’m not sure if that is a fluke, or a sign of things to come. In Washington State, it’s really anyone’s guess!
Our pea plants are putting out peas now. They aren’t quite fat enough yet, and I think they need to be a little fatter as these are shelling peas.
I can sense that my Early Girl Tomatoes will start to redden soon if the sun can hold out for us!
After the first row of radishes were pretty much ravaged by cabbage worm, I did a second planting between some rows of onions. This turned out to be a happy accident.
While there were a few nibbled leaves, the roots turned out MUCH better. I have been reading about the benefits of interplanting like this. The scent of the onions can deter some pests, as well as “hide” the other crop a bit. I think it pretty much worked.
Here’s a view of the radishes in between the onions – see them?
Onions are looking pretty great too! You can see the tops of the bulbs on some of them.
Of course, the happiest discovery these days? Raspberries!
Mind you, there are just a few at a time, but they are good! I’m checking every day now for more.
I feel our garden was off to a rough start this year. This is the third year I’ve been at it, and I think the first year I had a bit of beginner’s luck (plus fresh soil and compost). This is the year that I’m really have to dig in (all puns intended!) and figure out what organic gardening is all about. I’ve managed to control some pests, and also lived to tolerate others. I’ve also prayed that some God will bless and send happily off to the forest.
Has it been worth it? You bet it has – the work, effort, and money (don’t let anyone tell you that this is the cheapest thing you can do!) – worth it. Especially when I have a moment like this:
Or this….
I adore that will my kids have memories with mom growing food in the garden, watching it grow, caring for it, and eating it. There is something inspiring about watching that process, isn’t there? I’ve also said it before, but being out in the garden is often very therapeutic for me. At any given time, I am juggling multiple responsibilities, deadlines, and commitments – but I step out in that garden, and I feel that I can breathe!
My thoughts the next couple weeks will be to planning for the fall and winter garden. My focus for 2012 has been to work to turn my gardening hobby into something that is productive year-round. I’ll be looking to plant more kale, root vegetables and then planning for lettuces and garlic in the fall.
How’s your garden growing?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Ugh! I wish that my garden was growing. This is my 3rd year trying to do container growing and I just can’t seem to figure it out. I over water. I under water. Now I have spots on my plants that are apparently a fungus. Blah. I look forward to seeing what you are planting for the fall. Maybe I am meant to be a winter gardener.
I cannot recommend the book Gardening West of the Cascades enough. This book has made a HUGE difference to our organic garden.
My garden has been doing awesome so far. I’m growing 12 tomato plants, squash, cucumbers and watermelon. But just yesterday I found signs of a Tomato Horn Worm. They are evil, evil little creatures! Now I just have to find it!
Got lots of veggies in the garden, but I geuss because of the weather everything is slow to grow. We planted tomato starts and transplanted them some time ago, but they look like they’ve just been planted. But on the bright side, our strawberries are delish. My little man eats them almost as fast as I can pick them.
Our whole backyard is in the middle of being relandscaped. We have set out a whole area just for me to have my redwood boxes to plant lots of differen things. I grew up gardening with my father every weekend and all during the summer and it was so wonderful. My children love to garden and are looking forward to it all being done and watching everything grow. I love coming to your site to see your gardening updates. You inspire me. I just love your garden.:)