Garden Update

We are about half way through our first growing season, and even though it is painfully obvious we are beginners, I am fairly pleased with the results and progress thus far. Our container garden is growing well after a few initial hiccups. Our raised bed garden is producing some food. Our compost bin is acting as a trash receptacle and not a soil producer (so far still to go, and it seemed so simple at the beginning) I transplanted a peach tree that is still in shock, and has me concerned. Also, we have a fig sapling in a container on the patio that seems to be thriving. Maybe next year we can transplant him into the ground, and expect figs the year after.




When we originally transplanted our seedlings, we didn't think they would grow. This picture was taken a few weeks ago and the garden is even more crowded now. Valuable lessons learned about planting too many crops in a relatively small space. The package wasn't kidding when it said to plant the squash 4 feet apart. Too bad we didn't listen, we may have had more to eat...

We are mostly organic this year, with absolutely no pesticide. As a result, some sort of worm/caterpillar organism has attacked our broccoli and cauliflower plant. I ripped the cauliflower out. The light green plant on the right is the broccoli and the leaves look like Swiss cheese. Since this pic was taken, I have put tomato cages on the peppers to keep them upright. The most fruitful crop of the season is definitely the cucumber.

Topsy Turvy is probably a gimmick, but it seems to be working out well for us. We keep it well watered and have 4 green tomatoes currently. (not pictured) I am hoping to get a few more before the season it out, but I haven't grown tomatoes before....

Last night, I started pumpkin and spinach mustard seedlings, only to have my pups destroy the container this morning while they were waiting to be fed. I have to start all over again tonight when I get home. I really want a pumpkin for Halloween. I have pea seeds to plant as well, but am going to wait a few more weeks. I researched and found they like the cold weather and I want to build a trellis like support for them to grow on.

Yesterday, one of my pups got ahold of a chipmunk or other rodent that was in the garden. I am very concerned about this. I could tell something was getting in there because of the teeth marks on some on my squash, zuch, & cukes... I called the pest control company, would like to be able to protect our property without paying them, and in a more natural way. Always open to suggestions.

How is your garden going this summer? What do you have planned for the fall crop? How do you keep critters from eating your veggies?