millerharvest - millerharvest

Everything is Alive!

OK - may not everything - but there is life sproutin and growing all over my back porch! :-) We have had afternoon storms over the past few days, and it has really livened everything up; and this is just when I was about to throw in the towel and buy some plants that were already started instead of waiting on the seeds! Have I mentioned that I am a little impatient ;-).

Lemon Tree and Blueberry Bush

Neither of these has bore fruit yet - but then I don't think it is time for that. They are, however, producing some beautiful blooms. The picture above and to the left is the blueberry bush, the picture on the right is lemon tree. I do not know what kind of lemon tree it is, as it was a gift from my mother who got it from my grandmother - I will see her this weekend, so I plan on asking if I remember.

Little Gem Lettuce

The lettuce is growing great, and has been from the start! It looks like when my daughter dug around in the pot when we first planted them, she must have pushed most of the seeds over to the right and upper portion of the pot - as you can see, there is a significant void in the lower left. (I feel like a CSI talking about blood spatter when I say that, funny, huh?)

Radishes

And here I thought I had killed my radishes - they weren't looking so good to me for a bit - but they are back! This picture on the right are some new seeds that have sprouted, and the one on the left is the same cluster, so getting more 'sprouty'. I am thinking of taking a couple from that cluster an putting them in a section that hasn't sprouted yet - haven't decided though. I am also wondering if I throw a little potting soil over top of them. The package I used said I was supposed to plunk them down on top of the soil, but something I was reading on line said I should have burried them. So confusing!

Cherry Tomatos!

They are finally sprouting! I still haven't seen anything of the regular tomatos or cucumbers, but I am happy that we finally have this new addition to our little veggie garden. :-)

I am going to be out of town this coming weekend, so no gardening this weekend. I hope to start on herbs either next weekend or the weekend after that. I am still trying to think of what herbs I should have - I plan on putting them in a large window box, all growing together, so I think I have room for maybe 4 or 5 different types. I know I want to grow basil and chives. I am thinking possible dill, but I am not sure. I know I would like to use them for cooking and also, I want the right kind of herbs to make my own salad dressing. Do any of you have any suggestions?

My little Sprouts!

They weren't kidding when they said the lettuce sprouts and grows quickly. I planted the seeds the Saturday before last, went out of town Mon-Thurs, and when we got back Thursday evening, I found these little sprouts throughout the pot. I was

worried they wouldn't do well because my daughter had churned the soil a little and really poured in the water on the first day, apparently, even a four year old can not stop a lettuce seed from sprouting. I then went out to check on my little garden this (Monday) morning to see how things were going with the rain - and there was my lettuce, growing like crazy (at least in my view point). Not only did I have this little gift ofgreen buds in my lettuce pot - I also found that the cucumber (the other seeds I was afraid would not sprout because of potting mishaps) were sprouting. I could not get to my camera fast enough! No the cucumbers are one of the plants I read would do well growing in an 'upside down' pot, but we are a ways off from working with that - it is just nice to see the growth started.

This past weekend.

Gardening with a child was not nearly as fun as I thought it would be - but honestly, I have been living with this creature for 4 years, I really should know better.

It started out great, as I occupied her with shoveling in seed starter soil on top of the regular soil for the lettuce (which I read should be sowed right where you want it, since it grows so fast) and she was happy as a lark, and only making a little mess. I then started to count out seeds on my palm and had her drop them in the awaiting holes that I had already made. Everything was going great.

Then the prospect of a slip 'n slide came along, and I no longer held her attention -- not really a problem, I figured I had done amazing work by keep her attention as long as I did! I finished up the planting on my own - well almost. I soon discovered that my nifty planting kits did not give me nearly enough seeds. I mean it is possible to grow tons of plants out of 5 strawberry seeds (which I discovered are off season anyway) and two grape tomato seeds, but I knew the chances were pretty slim.

So I ventured off to purchase some seed, among other errands (which included picking up strawberries, since it seems buying the seeds are imposible - yup I am going to give it a shot even with out it being the right season) and by the time I got back my husband had let my daughter play dig in the freshly planted lettuce pot, and water things (with a watering can instead of a spray bottle) so that was a little frustrating.

But - I am still determined that my daughter learn the joys of gardening, even if a slip 'n slide seems so much more fun, and got to seeding/planting with her again. This time I flubbed -- I passed her the starwberry basket so she could rake it and break up the brick - and I knock over the cucumbers - at least I am pretty sure it was cucumbers -- what ever plant it was, it was one that you put the seeds on top of the soil - and of COURSE that would be the one I would knock over. Lovely.

All in all, it was fun - and I hope that in a few weeks or so I will be able to see the fruits (and veggies - or at least a little sprig) of my labors.

OH - and I did also pick up a blueberry plant this weekend.

Special Soil for Seeds?

So - I went Lowe's again yesterday - this time with my sister. I was getting her pretty stoked about starting her own veggie garden after telling her about what I was doing and showing her the pictures.

And while I was there we saw this special soil for seeds. I mean I know there is a different soil for potting vs. ground planting - but never suspected that there was a need for anything other than potting soil for seeds.

Since I am fairly new to planting a veggie garden - I begin t wonder - if it is even necessary. I mean - companies are pretty darn good at making us consumers believe we need something simply by giving it a different name.

I decided to get some - it was cheaper than the potting soil I was looking at (Miracle Gro - do brands even matter when it comes to soil?) so I figured, what the heck - it can't hurt anything, right?

Then I read somewhere that you should sow lettuce seeds right in the same spot you plan to grow them - since it grows so fast from seedling to harvest. Well - hells bells! Now I need to hunt down a big pot for the lettuce this week, when I was planning on doing the pot hunting in a couple of weeks or so. (that sounds illegle - flower pot folks!) So it looks like I will be looking through yard sales and flea markets to get me some pots. :-) (at least one)

Makes me wonder what else I don't know!

For This weekend

So - I ventured to Lowe's last night on the way home and picked up some things for this weekend's gardening fun! It may seem a cop out, but I picked up a tomato and strawberry kit for having potted plants. It was a pretty decent price (9.98) since it came with everything but the soil. They did also have potted strawberries that were almost mature, but it was 18 bucks for that. I decided to save the 8 bucks and get it started myself. :-) Wish me luck!

We also picked up some peat strips and a few other veggies to start: Radishes, Cucumbers, and some lettuce.

Making a Plan

With the economy the way it is, and with the expensiveness of keeping fresh fruits and vegetable always always available in our household, I have decided to start a vegetable and fruite garden.

I think back to when I was living with my grandmother several years ago, and I remember her wanting a sandwich, so she went outside to pluck some lettuce and tomatos from her small garden, came in rinsed them off and proceeded to make herself a scrumptious tomato sandwich - all of the cost of the bread and what ever condiments she chose.

Or I imagine having my own herb and vegetable garden, and only needing to pay the cost of the oil to make some dressing when I want a salads. A full salad with carrots, radishes, lettuce, tomatos, onions and more - few just a few cents (the cost of the oil), instead of 3-7 dollars!

This ability to be so self reliant fascinates me, to have the ability to always keep healthy food on the table no matter what - no matter how tight things are. This has inspired me to start a garden of my own. I want to pass on this self sufficiency to my daughter, and get a little closer to nature as well.

Since I live in a neighborhood with strict bylaws, I can no devote a huge part of my to a garden, especially since I have no fence to keep out curious creatures. I have decided to start small and expand from there. My mother had a potted lemon tree that she was not able to devote the right kind of time to, that is the beginning. Next week I intend on purchasing an tomato and strawberry potted 'upside down' growing kit. I also want to give growing my own pineapple a shot. I love pineapple, so I figure, how can it hurt :-) These will be planted in the ground outside our patio - they look like palm like plants while growing so these will be an excellent addition to our Florida landscape.

So - this is the beginning. Feel free to join me on this journey, and please - offer any ideas you have - as I am sure I will need them. ;-)

millerharvest - millerharvest

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