5 weeks ago, all this was but a tiny sprout in a barren sea of bark and brown.
I’ve yet to post any real pictures from the micro-farm this year, what with all the other goings-on around here. But this past weekend I finally transplanted the last of my indoor starts, so I thought I’d snap a few photos to share. We’re still in the process of tidying up after the big remodel, so you’ll have to forgive my messy black plastic. Eek! My manners . . . Many apologies.
This year I’ve planted four beds, each a mix of veggies and flowers that act as garden companions in a mutually beneficial symbiosis. We’ve got:
The bed at the northwest edge is totally blowing up! Ain’t it beautiful? Though I really need to thin out that kale . . . The bed includes snap peas, lacinto/dino kale, red russian curly kale, 6 butternut squashes, dill, calendula, and borage. I’ll late-start some broccoli for fall as well.
The northeast bed is less impressive – for now. There are 9 mounds and each contains a vining veggie – 4 pumpkins, 3 acorn squash, and 2 watermelons! Each mound is encircles by a ring of cosmos. There’s also chamomile planted between the mounds, though I’m afraid it’s not going to take. On the far side along the fence are a few pickling cucumbers.
The southeast bed is my baby. My tomatoes! This year I’m growing beefsteaks, a white dwarf variety, and a big red heirloom. Interspersed are buds of basil and zinnias. The perimeter is spinach, save for the far side along the fence, which houses slicing cucumbers.
The southwest bed is doing very well too. There’s a lot going on in here: snap peas, 3 varieties of beets, 2 types of swiss chard, walla walla onions, bok choy, dill, and calendula. There will be mid-season additions of fall cabbage and possibly cauliflower.
A tiny tomato just transplanted – cross your fingers for it’s survival!
I planted the bok choys late and they’re just beginning to fill out, flanked by a thin line of walla walla sweet onions.
Calendula and dill are both powerful players for attracting beneficial insects.
And this is what I do every single morning – strap Waits to my back and go “thin out” the seedlings. Can you guess why . . . ?
What about you my dears? I know some of you have some pretty impressive plots that put my mini food meadow to shame, and I know some of you are taking your very first stab at the world of “growing your own”, and I know a bunch of you are somewhere in between! So tell me friends: How are your garden’s growing?
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natashia
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natashia
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Meredith
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Liz
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http://czechvegan.wordpress.com Lenna
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http://www.workingouteatingin.com Anastasia
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Carey
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Selina
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http://www.sarathomas.etsy.com sara thomas
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Sandra
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Sierra Dawn
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http://fromscratch-blog.blogspot.com Amy
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TeniseRae
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TeniseRae
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http://nerdfins.blogspot.com Nerdfins
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http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}
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http://sweetness-light.tumblr.com Natasja
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Dani
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Dani
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Kerstin