How's your garden this year?

[Jo*mar]

We had a very wet & cool late spring so couldn't even get the garden tilled until it dried out.
But it just seems like it is taking forever to get things producing.

Our raspberries did produce nicely though.

Cucumbers & Zucchini are finally starting to get some size on the bushes, and a few zuc blossoms are showing.
Tomato plants are tallest we've ever had and look very healthy - there are plenty of blossoms on them too.

Maybe it's just that it is August already and we haven't really gotten to harvest much at all yet.. maybe it will be a long fall....

[Koala77]

I was just thinking today that it's only 4 more weeks until Spring begins here. That means it's time to start getting our garden prepared, so it'll be ready to plant out once this cold weather has passed.

Last year we had good crops of lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, zuccinis, squash, beans, bok choy, carrots and potatoes.

Considering we have such a small plot, hubby did really well to keep us supplied in as many vegetables as he did.

I removed the raspberry canes last year to prevent them spreading, but we do have a mature lemon tree that bears fruit all year around. You've no idea how many new recipes I try that use lemons!!

[Debbie D]

Only have peppers and tomatoes growing this year...the pepper plants are as tall as the tomato plants!!
We have about 6 tomatoes on the vine, but only 2 peppers so far...lots of blossoms appearing now though.

[Tomo_Tsu]

Originally Posted by Debbie D

Only have peppers and tomatoes growing this year...the pepper plants are as tall as the tomato plants!!
We have about 6 tomatoes on the vine, but only 2 peppers so far...lots of blossoms appearing now though.

Why does it seem that tomato plants grow like crazy and the others veggies I have like squash, green beans and cucumber do okay..but not like tomatoes do? I have the beef steak tomato plant growing and cherry tomatoes.

[Vonn07]

I don't have a garden this year - wasn't sure about it .. but, I'm planning ahead to have a small container garden ....

that's funny, Tomo_Tsu - my uncle's cucumbers are growing like crazy - but the tomatoes are so-so!! must be the soil ...

I've been reading up on gardening books, container gardening, composting ... I had fun at my uncle's this last week ... and picked a little everyday - couldn't handle standing for a long time ...

Koala ... hmmm, I could slap your hands for removing RASPBERRY canes!! sassy sassy girl!! but, your garden sounds scrumptious!! so, now we can hear about your gardening ventures while we deal with the winter blahs and blues ...

whatever I picked this week - I got to take home ... made 2 qts and 12 1/2 pints of dill slicers ... an easy schmeezy recipe .... now to sit on the counter until noon tomorrow (24 hrs) ... then in the frige .. and ready to eat in 2 more days!! (if I can wait that long!) going to try tomato sauce next weekend!

[Jo*mar]

My bush beans have done well
Zucchini - going like crazy now
peas - scraggly but enough to snack on
cukes - just got my first dozen picked- the smooth skinned low acid ones- yummy
lettuces - did well but the dogs liked to rummage thru it
kohlrabi - rutabaga - cabbage - all growing nicely
corn - not very robust, may not set any ears in time

and just planted a few things for fall crops- all depends on the weather & timing for those.

[Koala77]

Originally Posted by Vonn07

Koala ... hmmm, I could slap your hands for removing RASPBERRY canes!! sassy sassy girl!!! .....

Ha! That was last year Vonn! We have a whole new house with a whole new garden this year.

As spring hasn't yet sprung our garden is still dormant, but it won't be long. Hubby already has potatoes in the ground and I have seeds in for tomatoes, lettuce, and many herbs.

Our spring garden will have many of the same veges as you Jo*Mar, except no corn for us because of space. For extra room this year I picked up a child's plastic clam (for free at the dump) and will plant both halves with leafy veges such as lettuces, cabbage, zuccini and bok choy and shallow root veges like radishes. I'll have extra room this year so will have to think of nice things to plant.

Our flower garden is coming on well too. I've planted out a new rose garden and have a bed of polyanthas in flower already. I've bought a variety of seed for this year so it'll be challenging doing a new garden for our new house.

[Lara]

Great idea. Thanks for the idea of the sandpit clam shell. I could manage that.

My situation here doesn't allow me to grow too much. What I did have was washed away in last summer's floods. Still have my parsley which had gone to seed but doing fine again now after attention that Koala suggested.

Most of the soil here is sand so I need to be more inventive and get some soil and compost delivered I guess.

It was like a summer's day here today. I felt a little guilty basking in its beauty knowing what was going on elsewhere.

Lots of Bindii (prickles) in the lawn. Got rid of the lot of them by hand today. Have what looks like "dollar spot" in my tiny piece of lawn. Circular brown patches of dead grass. I think it's a fungus. Don't use chemicals so not sure how to deal with this yet. I usually have the best lawn in the town but it's only several square metres. I mow it with a push-mower. Trouble is the grubs love it because it's so lush.

Need to cut back a large Hibiscus. I dread doing it, but know it'll be worth it. Maybe do that on Wednesday. Spring almost here so lots of work to do.

[Vonn07]

Originally Posted by Lara

Great idea. Thanks for the idea of the sandpit clam shell. I could manage that.

that IS a great idea - and all the summer stuff is on sale now! ... hmm, could use one for composting, too!! thanks, Anne!

[Koala77]

Originally Posted by Vonn07

that IS a great idea - and all the summer stuff is on sale now! ... hmm, could use one for composting, too!! thanks, Anne!

A child's wading pool would also be a great idea for extra garden space and if it had a hole in it, you would probably get it for free, or near to free. Half barrels and halved small water tanks are other ideas for expanding the space of small gardens.

I've even seen hanging baskets for tomotoes, strawberries and a few other plants. I guess there's lots of easy ways to make a garden, even if you have a tiny space.