Filling Out the Beds

Since I didn't do a thourough plan, I didn't get enough plant material when I went to Bennets. Yesterday I finished out my boxes and turned Elfie's sandbox into my new strawberry patch (hear the squel of delight!)

I purchased:

From Altums:
2 canteloupe plants
2 lettuce plants
13.88!!

From Lowes:
8 lettuce plants (that was a pack)
1 large bale peat moss
1 small bale peat moss
1 bag cow manure compost
4 bags pea gravel
1 little gerbera daisy that was mysteriously on clearance
1 soil test kit!
19.19+9.96+1.30=$30.45

Ack!!! Frost Damage?

The very next morning after planting the garden, I went out to check on my little babies. This is what I found! Ack!! The cucumbers were the worst affected. The tomatoes, okra and loofah also had some damage. The broccoli and the established strawberries did not. I found an image on google that looks similar to this that is in an article about frost damage. It looks to me like everything will make it. This happened on May 14, today is the 17th, nothing has shriveled up and died yet. But, what the hell! I was all nervous cause I thought I was late getting my garden planted. Also, I didn't hear anything about a frost coming or going.

Planted the Garden!!

On the lovely morning of the 12th of May, I planted my garden. I was up and out in the yard by 8:00am, determined to get things in order before heading to work. It really was a beautiful morning and not as chilly as I was afraid it would be. Last Fall I had put a layer of leaves on the soil for mulch. I am not entirely sure this was a wise thing to do, but it seemed right at the time. The strawberry plant and chives that came back seem to be thriving, so in the very least it didn't hurt anything. I started by removing the leaves so that I could work the soil a bit; get things loosened up. I was impressed with how workable the soil seemed to be. It really was a great texture. I saw earthworms in both boxes although the second box seemed to have more. There was one grub in box 2. I also pulled just a few little weed seedlings out; nothing to be concerned about. I added one bag of mushroom compost soil to each box. This also really wasn't an informed decision, just seemed like I should add some compost. Like I said in my wish list, I would like to get a soil testing kit. Hopefully I can get to one closer than the extension office in Lafayette.

Of course, I did not exactly follow my plan. Here is how it ended up:

I have not planted the bean seeds yet because as far as I can tell the weather needs to be a little warmer at night. One website said 55 degrees for the lima beans, another said at least 50 degrees for the slenderettes.

Wondering About Lettuce

I am kind of confused about lettuce. It would be awesome to have some to harvest, but I just don't see how it will survive. I tried it once at the apartment, but it bolted before I ate any of it. I guess I just need to keep it well watered--honestly that could be a problem. Probably should make some sort of shade contraption too. I think I will try it from seed, hopefully it's not too late to get that going.

I have to admit, I also thought broccoli was a cool weather crop. They still had a lot at the greenhouse though. It didn't say cool weather on the tag. We shall see.

I am super excited about the canteloupe! It was so much fun watching it grow last year and seeing them in their little pany hose slings! Awesome. It looks like I have room for two this year--Yay! Last year I thought the vine had puttered out and then all of a sudden there was tiny baby canteloupe! Now that I go back and read my book I see that they are slow to mature. Just goes to show how much one can learn from experience and how much one can glaze over in the excitement of a new garden.

I have three squares of green beans. I am having visions of beans coming out of my ears! I will make a concerted effort to keep up with them and use my soon to be found canning skills :) I also really want to make salsa this year. Last year I just didn't get around to it. I really want to this time!

I need to make some repairs on the trellis for this season as well. Perhaps a more detailed post about that to come. Right now I have to go to yoga :)

Hoping for Sunshine

Yesterday it rained all day, as was forecast. And I mean ALL day. I was hoping there would be a break in the weather when I could at least start on getting things planted. No such luck. Today is a nice day; sunshine and warm when working in the sun. It would have been perfect for planting. Again, no such luck. I have to be at work. Oh, well, the bills must be paid! So, I am hoping for sunshine tomorrow morning.

I went through my plant list and roughed out a plan for spacing. Turns out, I have some more room :) Here is my plan for now. Question marks mean I need to get those plants.

Plant List for the Square Foot Garden

Here's what we came home with yesterday:

1. Zinnia, "State Fair Mix"


2. Celosia, "Bombay Mix"


3. Pepper, "Chili Red"


4. Cucumber, "Eureka"


5. Sweet Pepper, "Golden Summer"


6. Muskmelon, "Burpee Hybrid"


7. Tomato, "Sweet 100"


8. Tomato, "La Roma"


9. Okra, "Cajun Delight"


10. Tomato, "Red Grape"


11. Loofah--no tag


12. Broccoli, "Packman"


13. Broccaflower


14. Basil--no tag


15. Onions--red, no tag


16. Strawberries--no tag


17. Lima Beans, "Jackson Wonder", seeds


18. Bush Beans, "Slenderette", seeds

Add to that 4 bags of mushroom compost soil and the total was $64.24.

What's Going On Around the House

I am already forgetting some of the other plants I have acquired around the house!

Here's what we have:

FRONT:

1. Some ferns that I got from Connie in 2007
2. Columbine-reddish and yellow, here when we moved in
3. Sedum--here when we moved in
4. Black Eyed Susan--got from friend of Becky's in 2007
5. Purple-pink tulips--gift from Mom in 2007
6. Pink tulips--bought from Springhill Nursery in 2007
7. Muscari (grape Hyacinth)--gift from Mom in 2007
8. White with red streaks tulips--here when we moved in
9. Red tulips--here when we moved in
10. Giant Alliums--bought from Springhill Nursery in 2007
11. Obedient plant--bought from garage sale in 2007
12. something mysterious that I am not sure is a weed or something I want!

SOUTH SIDE

1. Surprise Lilies--here when we moved in
2. Euonymus, gold and green variegated--here when we moved in
3. Heuchera--here when we moved in

BACK

1. Yew(giant!)--here when we moved in
2. Surprise Lilies--here when we moved in
   
3. two kinds of peonies, white and fuschia--here when we moved in
4. Rhododendron--here when we moved in
5. Asiatic lilies--here when we moved in
6. something that I dug up in the woods that has lily like foliage
7. fountain grass--here when we moved in
8. I planted a poppy last year, but it doesn't seem to have survived
9. light pink frilly tulips--bought from Springhill Nursery in 2007
10. Ferns I got from Connie in 2007
11. I planted some calendulas from Mom, not sure if they made it
    
12. Lavender--Wedding gift from Mom in 2006
13. Pinkish-purple tulips--bought from Springhill nursery in 2007
14. Reddish foliage with small yellow flowers??--here when we moved in
15. White and green variegated hosta--here when we moved in, not doing well
16. mounding green foliage with spikes of purple blooms???--here when we moved in
17. red tulips--here when we moved in
18. Iris--purchased at garage sale in 2006, didn't bloom last year, but I have at least two buds this year!!!
19. Asiatic lilies--bought at Lowes last year at very discounted price because they had already bloomed!
    

2nd season in the Square Foot Garden

Weather: raining, 59 dgrs right now, high of 63, low of 43.

Yesterday DH and I went to Bennett's to get the plants for the garden. Since we didn't get back till kinda late and it is/was raining, they still need to be planted. I missed the planting for cool season this time, but perhaps I will try in the Fall.

I tried to buy with a mind of what happened last year and what I think DH and I will eat, and what will be good for canning--a first this year! I got a bunch of jars from the neighbor down the street! I am excited to give home canned gifts-but also a nervous. Considering our money situation, I would really like to maximize our benefit from the garden this year. Ok, back to the garden..

• I did NOT get any zucchini or yellow squash--we couldn't keep up with it last year.
  
• I made a more informed decision about the tomato varieties I chose. Last year the big beef steak kinds didn't do well--lots of cracks and deformities--which means I didn't water well, I think. I also realized last year that I am the only one around here that will eat slices of tomatoes. So, I stuck with the roma and grape kinds.
  
• I did not get a jalapeno this year because we barely used any last year although the plant was very prolific. However, DH talked me into a red chili plant. I don't want to discourage input!!
• I did not try another tomatillo this time since it did so terrible last year--very spindly and no fruit. Although I haven't totally given up on it
• I did not get as many herbs this time--just basil. Basil was what we used most. I would love to get more into herbs in the future, but I know I won't dedicate enough time this season.
  
• I got a ton more strawberry plants. I LOVE strawberries! I could eat them everyday, so this must be a good idea :)
  
• I got more onions this time too. I need to remember to thin them or space them correctly. The label said they would keep for 8 months. I was really surprised the first time I ate a home grown onion---SOO much flavor. Maybe I could can some cocktail onions sometime.
  
• I got less bell pepper plants
  
• I am definitely giving cantaloupe another shot--that was so exciting last year to see them on the vine AND I could eat that every day too.
  
• I am trying beans this year. I suddenly found out a few weeks ago that DH "loves" lima beans. Who knew? Also, canning green beans sounds like a good idea
• Last year my cucumber plant didn't make it due to some unfortunate pruning by dear sweet Elfie. Hopefully they survive this year and I can make some awesome pickles.
  
• I am trying some celosia again. Last year they puttered out. I'm not sure why other than maybe they got shaded out.
  
• I got a variety of Zinnias that say they are like dahlias and are good for cutting. I hope I do better in the flower cutting this year. I didn't get tall enough stuff last year. Except for the cleome that was absolutely giant!