Remember when I told you all the things I would be planting in the spring? It’s the first week of August, and it’s time for an update on how things are going.
I’m going to launch by saying I’ve been terrible at weeding my flower beds. I was a champion at weeding my vegetable garden early in the summer, so my veggies are doing well, but the flowers in front of the house are absolutely abysmal.
To add insult to injury, we’ve had a really dry summer and I decided not to water the front–just the vegetable garden. I’ve largely left the front flower bed to its own devices, so the only thing that’s been thriving is the weeds. I’ve decided within the last few weeks that I don’t like having that many areas of the yard that need intense weeding, I think I’m going to plant some larger shrubs out front next year that will be easier to maintain.
Veggies
Pumpkins & acorn squash – Doing awesome! They’re totally taking over the back half of the garden. If I do them again next year, I’m going to build a vertical trellis for them so they don’t sprawl quite so much…it’s been a challenge to keep the vines from taking over.
Roma tomatoes – I planted nine roma plants within about nine square feet, and wasn’t sure how they’d do because I’ve heard they are supposed to have more space. But they’re doing absolutely great, check out the bowl I picked last week–I’d guess there’s about seven pounds in there. There’s another batch ready to be picked tomorrow. Not much time for canning this week, so I think I’ll freeze the ones we don’t eat right away. Need a recipe for tomatoes? This one is KILLER.
Mixed peppers – Huge fail. Not a single plant survived past 6 inches tall. I used old seeds..and planted them kind of in the shade of the larger tomatoes…then their territory got taken over by squash vines. Kind of a half-assed effort overall. I will be buying farmer’s market peppers!
Spinach and lettuce – Another fail. Most of the spinach seeds didn’t come up, and the ones that did had teeny-tiny leaves and went to seed quickly. I have a total of three lettuce plants growing. Planted twice, same result. Not sure why–the spot could be too shady, but I really don’t think it is. Might try a different kind of seed next year.
Carrots – Doing well! It remains to be seen how big they will be, but the greens are looking great.
Radishes – Great! First harvest was fantastic, I did a second planting that will be ready in two or three weeks from now.
White onions – These didn’t come up AT ALL. Not a single one. Bad batch of seeds? Or was I supposed to plant them in the fall, perhaps?
Scallions – Coming up, but it feels like they’re growing slowly. My cousins who visited this weekend showed me how you can put scallion greens in water by a window and they’ll sprout again–since yesterday, they’re already sprouting, it’s fun to watch! Much more satisfying to watch than my garden ones.
Herbs
Basil – Best batch of basil ever! My starters did really well, so I ended up planting seven basil plants. Early on they were getting eaten, but I spread crushed eggshells on the soil and haven’t had a problem since (I think that means it was slugs?)
They’re all big and beautiful and my favorite thing to smell in the garden. I’m going to make a huge batch of pesto this week to freeze. I love basil. So much.
Chamomile – The plants got to be about six inches tall…then the squash vines started taking over. I’m trying to decide if I want to fight this or give it up until next year when I can put them in a better spot (I’m feeling pretty lazy about chamomile, to be honest…can you tell?)
Lavender – My existing plant is doing well, but my seeds were no good. This is the second or third year I’ve tried to start it from seed…never again. My mother in law is going to give me a lavender plant next year, a big beautiful one that will no longer fit in her garden after she does some landscaping.
Catnip – They did awesome this spring, but the heat really did a number on my two lavender plants. I’ve still been able to harvest plenty to keep the cats happy, but they do not look good.
Mint – I planted four kinds in the front yard (because I was tired of them dying in pots at the end of every season). One dried up and died…I chickened out and transplanted two to pots after a month because I got to thinking how awful it would be if they spread the way everyone tells me they will inevitably spread. Left one where it was at, because there’s not a lot of harm it can do on that side of the house. We’ve been enjoying mojitos this summer!
Rosemary – Doing great! Loving it, as usual.
Thyme – Ditto on the thyme. I started it from seed, and am so proud of how well it’s growing.
Chives – Thumbs up! I added a second plant (garlic chives), looking forward to having both of them in the ground instead of planters so I don’t have to wonder if they’ll come up again next year.
Sage – Got a little silver sage plant from the farmer’s market and planted it in the front yard. It’s very puny…too soon to tell if it will prove itself.
Oregano and ginger – Never planted them! My bad. Maybe next year.
Flowers
Marigolds – Love the french marigolds! I started them from seeds, and they are thriving. I hope to do more next year, and pepper them all over the yard for the cheery orange and yellow burst of color.
Poppies – Fail. Didn’t plant them early enough, and the seeds didn’t sprout.
Sunflowers – I planted them as an afterthought, when I was exhausted from planting all day and just wanted to get the seeds in the ground. I put them in random spots against the fence in the backyard, about two feet apart, and they look adorable. Totally doing the same thing next year…maybe some in the front against the porch next year, too.
Violets – I ended up with three great violet plants that I just love, in pots on the front steps. I killed several (by not watering them at a critical time). Will try for more next year!
Peonies – The one growing from under the neighbor’s fence did awesome…my two little developmentally stunted ones just sprouted greens, no blooms. Maybe next year!
Nasturtium, zinnias, tea roses – Didn’t get around to them. I got overenthusiastic during the planning phase, then exhausted during the planting phase!
Fruits
Strawberries – Meh. I moved them all from a big planter to their own little strawberry patch on the side of the house where they’d get a lot of sun. Not doing so great…we’ll see what happens next spring.
Rhubarb – Happy to report, the rhubarb is looking very promising for next year! I transplanted two plants which looked good for a while…then shed all their leaves after they turned yellow one by one…but then new shoots took their place, and they’re looking quite healthy now. Can’t wait to have my very own rhubarb to pick next year!
How about you, how is your garden looking? Did you fall off the weeding wagon, or have you kept it up?
