Planting a Vegetable Garden
April 11th, 2012
Planting a vegetable garden
Sorry- this is a little late today. We have been very busy around here with Spring finally popping it’s little sunny head through the dark clouds here in Seattle.
The tree’s are flowering, the air is warmer and the birds are singing every morning when I wake up. I love Spring.
For the first time in the 5 years that we have lived here, I am doing something that I have dreamed about for ages. Planting a massive vegetable garden. (I know, I probably need to get out more if this is what I am dreaming about.)
When we were growing up, my mom planted an incredible vegetable garden every year, and I still have wonderful memories of picking peas and beans and strawberries.
I wanted to give that experience to my children too, only we live in the city- on a very average sized city lot. That happens to be on a steep hill.
But I am stubborn, and obsessed with vegetables apparently. That leaves me with a very unconventionally spaced out and very large assortment of veggies in my new garden.
(Mason kept us company while he buried a ham bone in my new garden. Gross.)
I have an extremist side to me. So when my mom showed up to help me plant this garden she took one look at the four flats of plants and the 50 packets of seeds and shook her head. Like “where on earth do you think all of this is going?”
I made it fit. I squeezed seeds into every nook and cranny.
Then I dumped 20 yards of “bovine manure” over the top of them. (that is my drive way full of it.)
Let’s just say that I am trying to get a little more serious about my gardening this year. And yes, it stinks around here.
I thought I would share with you the line up of vegetables, fruits and edible flowers that I believe we are growing right now (keep your fingers crossed they all survive!!)
This should give you a little glimpse into the level of my insanity as well as the what kind of recipes you can look forward to in the months to come, and I will be sure to keep you posted and take lots of pictures of the girls enjoying their harvest!
Carrots
Parvex Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Broccoli
Cheddar Cauliflower
White Cauliflower
Purple Cauliflower
Brussels Sprouts
Scallions
Purple Scallions
Sugar Snap Peas
Snow Peas
Bush Peas
Pole Beans
Chiogga Beets
Bull’s Blood Beets
Detroit Red Beets
Early Wonder Beets
Heirloom Pumpkins
White Pumpkins
Sugar Pumpkins
Big Max Pumpkins
Artichokes
Tomatoes
Peppers
Chili
Bachelors Buttons
Nasturtiums
Pansies
Already existing Fruit:
Italian Prunes
Pears
Apples
Asian Pears
Pears
Blueberries
Strawberries
Raspberries (which seeded themselves from a neighbors plant)
Cherries
Wish me luck!!!
Heather this looks fabulous. Your girls will surely make some great memories right along side you.
I just got my little herb garden fixins yesterday and can’t wait to hang them all in their baskets. But dang it, just when I thought it was going to stay sunny around Woodinville one more day – it decides to downpour. Better go grab a glass of wine instead. :) Happy Planting!
8:29 pm on April 11th, 2012
Heather, I love your garden! My mom always had one, too, and I have fond memories of picking veggies and berries growing up from our garden. The only way I could have one is if I buy Sluggo by the dump truck full. Sad, but true. :-)
8:46 pm on April 11th, 2012
Uh…Wow! Quite the list and 20 yds of manure; you are beyond determined! Good luck Heather!
8:56 pm on April 11th, 2012
Youre like me! My first veggie garden i bought it ALL, plants seedlings… The climate here and soil doesnt allow for all veggies to grow, so i focused on what does grow and planted more!(im still in italy) this year i thought it would be fun to color my garden with black and purple tomatoes and colored carrots and purple spinach… :-) good luck with yours- amazing how many things we have in common! And i found you lookong at photography!! My latest passion!
11:02 pm on April 11th, 2012
Yes! overkill is my middle name!! I do love photography. I am not so good- but working to get better!
5:48 am on April 12th, 2012
I am indeed! lol! thanks Angela!
5:48 am on April 12th, 2012
I have to admit. There is quite a bit of slugo and assorted natural slug remedies going on my front yard. Someone once told me that he would stop by all of the local hair salons and buy up the hair sweepings and then surround his plants with the hair. Apparently the slugs won’t cross the stuff. Not sure it’s worth it personally!
5:50 am on April 12th, 2012
Ha!! I am well versed in drinking wine and gardening at the same time. Maybe you can do both?
We are expecting a sunny weekend- fingers crossed!
5:51 am on April 12th, 2012
Oh, wow, Heather. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the garden with your family. I’ve been into edible landscaping for a few years now. May I recommend some gardening books to you and your readers ? By far, one of the best series of garden books I have found is the ‘Edible’ series by Rosalind Creasy. There’s like 5 or 6 titles for all kinds of edible plants and flowers. Plus, the books contain recipes, too. The lavender ice cream recipe from the ‘Edible Flowers’ book has become legendary in our house.
7:42 am on April 12th, 2012
BTW – in old gardening books you will find they sometimes recommend human hair clippings to be used also used as fertilizer – high in nitrogen! The N in the N-P-K number.
7:44 am on April 12th, 2012
That’s SO awesome! My parents had a beautiful, thriving vegetable garden every year when I was growing up (they built lovely stone boxes) and I’m looking forward to having a vegetable garden some day … I will live vicariously through yours until then! There is nothing better than fresh vegetables from the garden and being able to just walk outside and pick them for dnner, etc. Your extreme side makes me laugh – being passionate is fun! :)
7:53 am on April 12th, 2012
Thank you Kelley! I love gardening books- I will order it right away :)
8:42 am on April 12th, 2012
There you go~ Back when we had Henry (St. Bernard) I tried using his hair- but it grossed me out!
8:43 am on April 12th, 2012
lol! I am an extremist. Can you see why Pete and I are so well suited?
I am looking forward to summer and using all of these. We won’t even have to get a produce bin delivered!
8:45 am on April 12th, 2012
Maybe I’ll sign up for a Christo Produce Bin each week! LOL. Pia can have a Pia’s Produce stand this summer on the block!
9:18 am on April 12th, 2012
It’s starting to look good, Heather! Great job! It’s definitely in my plans to cultivate a veggie garden but with this Texas heat I don’t know when it will happen. Thanks for sharing. (Adorable pup you have, too!)
10:25 am on April 12th, 2012
Great Job! I can’t wait to read about the journey!
3:42 pm on April 12th, 2012
I won’t lie! I’m jealous!
7:41 pm on April 12th, 2012
Heather, such a fabulous garden you guys have created. I hope you reap lots of greatness from this. Looks like you all ready are :)
5:53 am on April 13th, 2012
Wow, what a project, Heather. Congrats on starting such a tasty project !
7:46 am on April 13th, 2012
we too, are starting to think about our garden. You are way more ambitious than I, within months, you are going to have your very own “farmers market” right out your back door!!
4:40 pm on April 15th, 2012
So green with envy – it’s on the list of things to do and yet my fight with the squirrels the past two years has left me defeated – I know I must try try again and all that but the veggie beds have to be so enclosed in wire it’s kinda depressing
8:49 pm on April 16th, 2012
those squirrels used to dig up all of my bulbs. But since we have a dog (which means dog food outside) we have an enormous population of crows instead. The squirrels won’t come near the yard now. So you just need some crows to get rid of the squirrels!
7:44 am on April 17th, 2012
I love your dedication and handwork! What a lovely thing to have your own vegetable garden!
12:19 pm on April 23rd, 2012
thanks Kristina!
12:26 pm on April 23rd, 2012
Heather, how on earth will you manage to take care of all of these plants, take care of the kids and keep your blog and cook all of these delicious foods? Are you SUPERWOMAN?
1:17 pm on May 15th, 2012
LOL! that is about half of what I am doing right now! And no, I am not Super Woman. I am hanging on for dear life by my fingernails!
2:24 pm on May 15th, 2012