In Which I Attempt To Garden
- July 15, 2009
- Category: Daily Diary
- (26) Comments
Gardening is complicated in the Northeast Kingdom. Seeds must be started indoors and then either moved to a greenhouse or put outdoors when there hopefully won’t be another frost around the 1st of June.
I’ve never seriously gardened before and I definitely do not have a green thumb but when Mountain Man decided he wasn’t going to plant a garden this spring due to other commitments, I knew I’d have to step up to the plate.
I didn’t want my Mountain Man feeling obligated to help me so I quietly ordered seeds from Vermont’s own High Mowing Seeds and started them in a sunny room Mountain Man never uses. As warmer days approached, Mountain Man began to regret his decision not to have a garden.
“Don’t worry, I have a surprise for you.”
“It better not be another dog.”
“Not this time.” I brought out one of my tiny tomato plants. “I didn’t tell you because I wanted to learn how to garden. I can use your advice but the only way I’m going learn is if I do it myself.”
Mountain Man did a great job of handing the garden over to me. He gave me pointers but he never said “I told you so” or “you shouldn’t have done that” even when I transplanted the tomatoes too early and sent them into shock.
I expanded my garden to include sunflowers, broccoli, cucumbers and peppers. I decided to grow giant pumpkins as well.
I’m happy to report my garden is doing very well. The broccoli survived being munched down by critters. I’ve become so interested in raising veggies and growing flowers, Mountain Man is clearing away more land for my endeavors next year. And, although not skilled and knowledgeable as Mountain Man, I think he’s proud of my efforts.
Here’s the pictorial:
Mountain Man digs up a sunny spot along the fence for my sunflowers. That second shovel in the picture is mine. I was a full participant in the process.
Showing me how to separate the dirt from the wads of weeds.
Bringing in more soil with the tractor.
Katie-the-Whippet watches.
Next, we cleared a patch for my pumpkins and laid down black plastic to help warm the soil and inhibit weed growth.
I put the broccoli in their spot.
Then, I moved into the greenhouse. Here’s the tomatoes.
And the peppers.
And here’s what my plant children look like today.
The pumpkins in blossom.
The broccoli survived their animal attack.
The peppers are flourishing.
The cucumbers are climbing.
The tomatoes are growing.
And producing tomatoes!
And the sunflowers are reaching for the sky.
Here’s Mountain Man working on the site for my expanded garden next spring. Corn is definitely on my list and I’m hoping I’ll be able to grow enough fresh produce to help the local food bank. But most importantly, don’t ever be scared to try something new because if I can do it, then anyone can.
Wonderful job!
Date: July 15, 2009
I love to garden but Wow!! This is amazing, you really stepped up to the plate. Your veggies look delightful.
Date: July 15, 2009
I am so awful with plants…John is a really good gardener so I expect to pick up tips from him and maybe give it a try slowly, but you deserve an award for your efforts. You must have had a secret green thumb that was only waiting for the right place and time to make magic. Congrats on a great return.
Date: July 15, 2009
Someday, when I grow up, I think that I'll plant a garden too:-)
I've very impressed!
Date: July 15, 2009
Good job! Your plants look wonderful! They'll look even better when you can pick and eat and share!
Date: July 15, 2009
Good for you! You are now a farmer in your own right! YEAH!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Date: July 15, 2009
That is a terrific job! The first level of our retaining wall is going to become our new garden. Currently we only have enough room for 5 tomato plants. But next year, we will be able to grow corn, peppers and other things. Just reading about your garden has got me excited for next year. I hadn't realized how much I missed having one.
Date: July 15, 2009
Your veggies did great! It's always fun to try new things, especially when it succeeds as well as your garden did! Great job!! I had a garden when I was a kid. My peppers always did the best.
Date: July 15, 2009
Great job! I remember that "butter and sugar" sweet corn is good. I never tried to grow broccoli. No more gardening for me now, though.
Date: July 15, 2009
You did a fabulous job. Applause!
Misha
Date: July 16, 2009
Way to go! Your garden looks wonderful. I used to garden, but have gotten lazy! I must take myself to task and get back into it!
Date: July 16, 2009
Wow, I love that everything you two do is with gusto, neither of you ever do just a mediocre job. I only planted three tomato plants this year.
Date: July 16, 2009
Nicely done Red!! Congratulations for your great efforts. Seriously, I can see it is much more difficult to get things going where you live. Gardening here is easy by comparison. I especially loved the photo of your whippet through the fence. She's a sweetie!
Date: July 16, 2009
Okay, all that is amazing, truly, and you all NEVER cease to amaze me with what you accomplish but what do you think stopped me in my blogging tracks? That FACE. That KATIE face. Oh Katie…..can I kiss you on your muzzle you little cutie?!!!
Date: July 16, 2009
Kate the Whippet should visit Queen Bitty at the Pond. Kudos to you for gardening! I can't even keep our cactuses alive…cacti, whatever. You know it's sad when you kill a cactus.
Date: July 16, 2009
Tomatoes – and lots of veggies. How delicious!
Date: July 16, 2009
Thanks everyone for dropping by. Robynn, KT-Whip loves kisses. She's a snuggler and sleeps under the covers with me at night.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to leave me comments. I appreciate them so much.
Date: July 16, 2009
I really loved how you surprised him!
What a fun thing to do together…nice work and great looking harvest to boot!
Whippets are loves to be sure!
KacyK
Date: July 16, 2009
You stopped by my blog the other day so I just had to check yours out too:) Totally enjoyed reading it btw and since my dream is to one day live in Vermont, I will definitely be stopping back to see my most favorite state!
Date: July 16, 2009
Thanks for stopping by for a visit! So glad to find your blog as well. Looks like you're doing quite well with your garden efforts. In fact, it looks better than mine and I've been "gardening" for years! -tammy p.s. I just love Katie!
Date: July 16, 2009
Hi there. You've done great! Especially up your way…we were in Greensboro from 7/5/ thru 7/12 and may I say, thank heavens for wool socks!! It was chiiiilllly! But I like it, just the same.
Our friends in Hardwick have had wonderful luck with their garden, but they've been doing for 60+ years. She sells out of her garage using the honor system and has great luck there, too.
As always, up that way is most definitely one of my most favorite places to be. Keep up the good work.
Date: July 16, 2009
Nice work. As you probably know from reading me, I was never a gardner before either until this year.
So far it is so great! Our corn was unbelievably tasty and last night I made a salad with a head of lettuce from my BACKYARD. It was pretty darned exciting. I just wish my tomatoes would hurry up and ripen!
Continued good luck to both our gardens!
Date: July 16, 2009
Your doing very well. I've never been able to grow broccoli, I heard it's impossible to grow without pesticides ? I can't grow pumpkins either, get eaten alive by earwigs.
If you have some old tires (act as cages too) you can always put them around peppers and tomatoes. The tires get really hot in the sun, ugly but helps.
I remember one summer, I stacked about 4 tires high and filled them with earth and grew tomatoes in them one summer. Worked, but OH so UGLY.
Date: July 17, 2009
This is exactly why I go to the farmer's market. You did a great job with your garden. I can't wait to see the giant pumpkins and the sunflowers, my favorite!
Date: July 17, 2009
Kudos to you for plunging in feet first and learning all on your own! We didn't have time to put in a garden this year due to property commitments… hopefully next year!
Everything looks awesome.
Date: July 18, 2009
Wow it beautiful scene to see thanks for sharing
Christena
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Date: July 20, 2009