Garden Update

You may remember about 6 weeks ago I shared my little garden. I thought it was time to share an update. Here is what it looked like back at the first part of June

And here it is today:

Full disclosure, I had to replace the closest two tomato plants after a damaging hail storm that occurred just a few days after I took the June photos. 

The farthest tomato plant got some damage but it seems to have benefited from the beating it received! The other two original plants were beat down to a mushy pulp.

Nine cucumber plants came up from the seeds I planted and, after monsoon rains last week and highs in the 90's the past few days, they are going gangbusters! 

I got some questions on what is all around the plants.  It is grass clippings from when we mow.  It really helps to keep the moisture in as well as keep the soil temperature more even.  The cucs seem to love it!

If you look closely, you can see a couple of Roma tomatoes coming along. 

I broke down and bought a trellis for the grape plant the previous home owners had planted and, although it took a pretty good pounding from the hail, it is going strong.  Mr. B is pretty excited about it even though I told him it may be a few years before we see actual grapes. I have seen birds at the bird bath and that makes ME happy!  Hopefully Mr. B beats them to the grapes if/ when they come in LOL!

My little Grandchildren garden is doing pretty well considering it is it's first year.  I smile every time I go to water it!

Bad photo alert! I was trying to beat the sun before it came over the fence, but you can see I finally have my sign up that I made for the shed at our old house. You can also see the damage the hail did to the fence.  Mr. B says it looks like it's got freckles. The hail actually put small divots into our wood deck!  

The star of the garden right now is the planter behind the Grandchilden garden.

You have to really look hard to see the blackberry bush I have planted in the center of the container.  I had only planted six very small petunias here and they have taken off!  I'm not sure if it was the hail beating them up or the coffee grounds I was advised to add to bring up the acid level in the soil. I am going to try coffee grounds in all of my pots next year just in case that is it LOL!

There are times when I miss all of the space that my previous garden had, but then I remember how much work it was, and how I really never got to just sit back and enjoy it.  With my new smaller spaces I can relax with a glass of iced tea and not have an aching back!
How are your gardens doing this year?

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My Garden

The weather has finally settled down and it was time to get on with my garden landscaping! 

The previous homeowners had created this raised bed garden and, after much work on my part,you can read about it here,  I finally have some things planted in it.

Normally, I grow my own tomatoes from seed but with this year I took the easy route and bought three plants.  A Better Boy, a Roma and a Beefmaster.

In front of them I have planted cucumber seeds.  We are hoping to get enough to can up pickles again this year. 

In front of and in between the plants I have some marigold flowers.  I am hoping they bring in the bees and help to pollinate once everything gets to that stage. I covered it all with fresh lawn clippings to help retain moisture and to keep the soil warm. The white fence will have to stay up for a bit.  Max LOVES to get in there and roll around in the dirt!  Silly pup!

My Grandchildren Garden is coming along.  I added some garden art for color and interest until the plants start coming up more. The container garden behind it now has a blueberry bush and some petunias.  

I also added a couple of the stars you may remember from my beautifying the wooden fence project post from our previous home.

Speaking of container gardens, my herb container garden is also doing very well now that the sun is shining and the temps are in the 80's!

So far, I am pleased with my smaller gardening space.  I know my back sure loves it!  Stay tuned for more updates as I have been busy planting containers with flowers too!

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Container Herb Garden

Hello!  It's been a bit since I last posted hasn't it?  To be honest, I have been in a bit of a blogging funk because Spring is late in arriving this year.

I have had zero inspiration and have just been sitting on my behind lamenting the cold weather and just cursing Mother Nature.

Well, the old gal must have heard me and decided to make her appearance as we have had two full days of warm temps and full on sun!  So much so, I got a bit too much of it during our garage sale over the weekend and I am now sporting a very red nose.  Can you say Karma?  LOL!

Anyway, since it is so nice outside, I decided it was time to create the herb garden I had been planning for weeks now. I wanted something small to have up on the deck.  Close to the BBQ and to the kitchen.  Perfect for cooking inside and out.

I had planned on using this plastic container the previous owners had left at the house but Mr. B expressed concerns about drainage and standing water under the container on the wooden deck.  

I considered it a valid enough concern that I went in search of something better.  I found the perfect solution at Home Depot!

It's made specifically for patio gardening! It's not too big, 24"x20" which is the right size for a variety of herbs for just the two of us. You could also use it for a small veggie garden too.  Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, whatever you'd like to grow but don't have the room for! I love that it is on casters (included in the packaging) so I can easily move it out of the intense sun or, if hail is in the forecast, I can roll it under the eaves for shelter. Plus, it's elevated so, if I do over water or we get a rain storm it will dry out natually.

A big thank you to DTL Herbs LTD (go over and like their Facebook page too!) for answering my questions on the best soil medium to use!  After some back and forth it was a suggestion that I use a light garden soil (like from Miracle Gro). I was concerned that a normal potting soil would be too dense and I think the garden soil will work wonderfully! The container is self watering too!  It has an upper screen that elevates the soil and below is a basin for the water.  You fill it using the tube you see on the left side.

I knew I wanted to grow dill for when we can pickles, basil because I love fresh basil, and thyme for some of my chicken recipes.  Mr. B had me add cilantro for his homemade guacamole, and chives for the baked potato he loves with his grilled steak LOL.

The seeds have been planted, 4 sets of each herb so now all that is left is to keep the water reservoir full and to, oh yeah, my favorite activity, wait!  I'll keep you updated on the progress so be sure to come back for a visit soon. 

***Check out an update on how the herbs are doing here***

*This is NOT a sponsored post.  I just think this patio gardening kit is so cool I had to share it with my friends! 

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for my link party.