Once upon a time, I grew an herb garden.
I had more parsley, cilantro, and rosemary to chop than my fingers could handle.
Then, after the kids were born, said garden proceeded to die in a blaze of Alabama heat and glory.
And so did each and every plant I brought home for the next 3 years.
So little time in life. I put off growing more herbs and veggies for as long as I could, but I was ready to give it another go this year. Maybe it’s the quest for a simpler life. Maybe it’s the doer in me. Maybe I recognize I’m never going to get any less “busy.” (p.s. I also have issues with this word, just like my friend, Ashley) Maybe it’s the homeschooling. Maybe I’ve turned into a full-fledged granola bar.
I like granola.
It also could have something to do with the fact that Matt and the kids built me 3 extra tall raised beds while I was out of town the first weekend in April. And their itty bitty adorable excitement as we planted all the seeds and transplants.
I’m a newbie minus the tomatoes and herbs, so we’ll give it a go and pray I don’t kill it all.
Worst case, I have a small-ish bell pepper and a very green Roma tomato.
P.S. I got a tomato-tip from my bright green thumbed neighbor–to pick tomatoes around here before they’re ripe so the birds don’t nip at them. Would have never known.
We’ve planted cilantro, oregano, chives, basil, potatoes, squash, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, roma tomatoes, big boy tomatoes, onion, garlic, asparagus, and green beans. I’d love to add some lettuces in, but I’m going to wait to see if we can actually stick to this.
For now, we’re all doing a happy dance in honor of the green Roma.
Ahhhhh, a garden. I grew up on a farm, and swore to everything that was holy I would never EVER have another garden when I grew up. Now, I would love a space to have a garden. Our handkerchief sized yard doesn’t allow it. I have requested that the hubs build one of those ‘city garden boxes’, but as of yet no dice.
I agree on picking the tomatoes while still greenish, just when you see the first hint of red. Then let them ripen on a shelf, be sure to rotate them everyday so the bottom doesn’t get rotten. I do consider myself a tomato expert, and I’m not ashamed to say it! 100+ tomato plants every year..thus, the solemn vow to never EVER have a garden.
Never say never!
I think I may have to follow that Tomato advice too, I am terrible at getting them to ripen and usually end up throwing the plants away, fruit and all.
I’m growing Roma this year too – for the first time so i’m hoping I’ll get to taste ripe fruit.
I’m with you on Granola – I love it!
One thing that should do well in that killer Alabama heat is chilis!
Congrats on the tomatoes!! I have been plucking red- ish tomatoes for days now because I almost cried when the very first RED tomato of the season had been pecked through. Darn birds. Here’s to eating fresh tomato sandwiches for the rest of the season!
Just a little note. Lettuce, radishes, green onions are very easy to grow but, they should be planted early spring as they don’t do so well in the hot air and sun. The lettuce gets tough. Try it next year. It is fun to plant all the different kinds of lettuce and radishes.
Have fun.
I love everything about a garden — maybe it symbolizes the ability to start over each year. I only have a few pots of herbs because we have a small yard with little sun. But I love watching those little plants grow! Great post! I am including it in my Friday Shout Out!
Here’s a website (I’m not an affiliate of this site–they’ve just helped me tremendously) that tells you when to plant what for spring, summer and fall gardens. http://www.mysquarefootgarden.net is the best! They’ll send you emails during the planting season, based on your region and frost dates. It’s so helpful!
Long being a gardener and recently a Localvore and now a Eat it as Fresh as Possible Vore ( yeah I made that up.) I must say growing lettuce of all varieties but, especially the Heirloom varieties is super easy. Yes, even for people with a postage stamp yard. You can build a 24 x 24 box or smaller and still have enough lettuce for salads everyday. You can even grow lettuce in a hanging basket. The best way to start lettuce seed is with great soil. Miracle Gro is perfect. Sow your seeds or a variety and then water, cover with Saran Wrap and they will sprout quickly. Thin to 1 inch a part. Then thin as they get bigger and bigger. Here is the fun part, as your thinning you eat lettuce.. Yummy. Then as they get big eat the outer leaves of the plant and your lettuce will feed you for a long time. Once you see the lettuce start to bolt (a flower forms in top) plant some more. When it gets hot move your lettuce to a cooler shady spot. I must admit we live on 5 acres but growing lettuce way out on the back forty ( where rabbits dine) is hard. Our lettuce boxes have been amazing. This year my amazing husband built 5 feet by 4 feet beds near the house and our lettuce beds have grown to include Kale, Spinach, Parsely and Swiss Chard. Anyone can do this anywhere. Even in the city.
Lordie, that sounds normal to me! I think getting the garden started is the hardest part. I started getting my 10 year old son involved, integrating it into his homeschooling even (science!)
Hope the garden is coming along!
Vivian