Hello everyone!
I’ve had a few people to ask what’s growing in our spring garden, so I thought I’d give you an update.
My personal favorite, tomatoes, have been planted. We planted them a little early this year because we’ve been having such warm weather lately. But if we have a late freeze, we can cover them.
Before planting, I installed an individual drip line for each hill, added 2 shovelfuls of our homemade compost, and Jane added 2 scoops of Black Cow. My brother Jim and his grandson went fishing the other day and brought back some brim. So like the Native Americans used to do, I buried a fish under some of the hills. If it was good enough for the Native Americans, it’s good enough for me.
Before planting, it’s important to pinch off the bottom leaves and stems of the plants. It increases the development of the main stem and increases fruit production. And as the plant is growing, it’s important to sucker the plants. To sucker means to pinch off the extra stems that grow in the joints off the main stems. The first year we had a garden, we didn’t know that we were supposed to do that, and it did affect our production.
This year we are planting a greater variety of tomatoes. So far we have planted Early Girl, Better Boy, Big Boy, and Celebrity. As soon as the heirloom varieties are available, we’ll plant those. To keep track of each variety, Jane punched holes in the identification tags to hang on the cages.
Here’s Jane planting one of the tomato plants.
This year I decided to put a weed barrier under each cage, and I’ll add some wheat straw to further prevent weeds and hold in the moisture.
Cabbages are growing in the raised beds.
Different varieties of lettuce are off to a good start. We’ll be eating salads before we know it.
We had so much success with the raised beds last year that I built two more this past weekend.
We have peppers and basil growing in some large, black containers that some trees came out of last year.
The English and sugar snap peas are growing so rapidly that I had to put up the chicken wire for support today.
The corn and potatoes are up. Have you ever eaten a new potato freshly dug from the earth?
Across the street at Jay’s Trading Post, they were going to throw away this damaged arbor. So I hauled it across the street to our garden. I’m in the process of repairing, painting, and putting it up. We may grow some climbing beans on it. It’s all part of our plan to make the garden more aesthetically pleasing this year. We do enjoy sitting on the bench in the late afternoon, watching the weeds grow.
At this time of year, I’m a busy person in the garden. But the harvest will make it all worthwhile.
I’m sharing at:
Heather and Vanessa’s Inspiration Friday@At the Picket Fence
Live from Windham’s Crossroads,
Christie says
March 25, 2012 at 4:55 pmLeo, your methods inspire me. Though I made all the necessary preparations for spring garden at the beginning of March, it doesn’t seem I could get my garden into a better shape than it was the last year. Me and my darling are constructing a new greenhouse. I hope the project will be more successful and the tomatoes won’t taste like watermelon at its husk.
Ginger says
March 24, 2012 at 5:41 pmLeo, Everything is looking good. I look forward to watching the progress. I love the orderliness of your garden. Do you have Scottish blood?
Back in the 50’s I was visiting at Bob’s home. His mom told him to go to the garden and bring back some potatoes. Bob started to the dig and I asked what in the world was he doing. He laughed at me for being so dense. I replied “I thought they grew in mesh bags!”
Conratulations to Jane for winning over at Hospitality Designs. Jane you are very deserving.
Blessings, Ginger
leo says
March 24, 2012 at 3:40 pmPatti, you’d be surprised at how good a freshly dug potato tastes! Hope you find some grown locally.
patti says
March 24, 2012 at 11:08 amI am not a gardener whatsoever, but I am truly impressed by all your hard work…I would love to be sitting on that bench in the late summer when you harvest those tomatoes! Have never had a potato right out of the ground, but I have had carrots – so delish! Happy Growing!
Shannon @Cozy Home Scenes says
March 24, 2012 at 8:56 amHi Leo and Jane, love seeing the progress in your garden. I’m envious of your space for gardening. We have large trees on our small lot so there is not enough sun to grow tomatoes or most vegetables but maybe someday…… I know exactly what you are talking about when suckering tomato plants. I learned to do that when my parents had a 1000 plant hydroponic tomato greenhouse. Now, that was a lot of suckering but you are correct that the yield is much greater. I think it is very nice that the two of you share the enjoyment of gardening. Hope the weather stays nice so you can get lots of work done. We had a terrible storm last night with small hail but I don’t think there was any damage. Thank Goodness!——— Shannon
leo says
March 24, 2012 at 3:37 pmWe’re having a nice shower as I’m writing this, which is the only reason I’m on this computer. Normally I’d be outside. Thanks for visiting!
Ann says
March 24, 2012 at 8:30 amI’ve told you before that I’m a dismal failure at growing tomatoes. I never knew about suckering so I’ll try that this year. Who knows? I just may get a tomato or two! Everything looks wonderful. You are right…it will all be worth it when you harvest. Have a good weekend…tell Jane I said hello..
leo says
March 24, 2012 at 3:35 pmHi Ann, good luck with the tomatoes. This could be your year!
debbie says
March 23, 2012 at 3:54 pmYour gardens are going to be amazing!~ You are so good, both you and your hubs make a great team!
leo says
March 23, 2012 at 7:54 pmWe worked in the garden all day yesterday and today. It takes a good team to get things done.
Judy says
March 23, 2012 at 2:05 pmWow, I am impressed at the work you have accomplished in your garden. Hope you share more pictures as it grows. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
leo says
March 23, 2012 at 7:53 pmMore pictures coming soon!
Lynn says
March 23, 2012 at 9:43 amI am so jealous! I would love to have this in my back yard! How are you doing the raised beds? This is something I might could do, can you plant pretty much anything in them? Hugs, Lynn
leo says
March 23, 2012 at 7:53 pmLynn, you can plant almost anything in them. Results are all about the soil mixture.
Anita says
March 23, 2012 at 7:11 amI’m loving your garden and wish I could have one too. Our city yard is too small and we aren’t at the ranch full-time, so I don’t feel like we can do one there right now. Maybe some day. In the meantime, I am sure enjoying yours.
leo says
March 23, 2012 at 7:51 pmThanks Anita, maybe you could stick a few tomato plants in pots. Nothing like a homegrown tomato!
Sonya says
March 22, 2012 at 10:02 pmHi, Leo & Jane! What a wonderful garden. You’ve put in a lot of work and it shows! I can almost taste those fresh veggies and salads you’ll be enjoying soon!
leo says
March 23, 2012 at 7:50 pmJane made an asparagus risotto yesterday. The fresh asparagus from the garden made it all worthwhile.
Poppy says
March 22, 2012 at 8:42 pmWow, Leo, your spring garden is looking awesome:)You got a head start here and I love the tomato growing tips….. I knew about pinching off the bottom leaves but never knew about suckering them.. that’s something new I learned today, to increase their production. For the last few years our tomato plants did not produce very well and I was wondering about it… well, now I know. Say hi to Jane for me and I appreciate her visit:)Happy Gardening!~Poppy
leo says
March 23, 2012 at 7:49 pmGood luck with your tomatoes this year, Poppy. I’m sure it’ll be a better year.
Heather :) :) :) says
March 22, 2012 at 8:05 pmI’m glad you rescued that arbor. It will look nice all fixed up…and even better, that you got it for FREE 🙂 🙂 Oh, it’s really cool to see your garden starting to grow 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
leo says
March 23, 2012 at 7:47 pmI finished rebuilding the arbor and Jane painted it white. We planted 2 vines beside it-the yellow jessamine, our state flower.
Mary Alice Patterson says
March 22, 2012 at 7:45 pmWow, what a garden!! Looks professional to me. Thanks for stopping by.
Mary Alice
leo says
March 23, 2012 at 7:45 pmThanks Mary Alice,
It’s definitely not professional, but we’re enjoying learning.
Jean Windham says
March 22, 2012 at 2:06 pmI enjoyed the walk through your garden. I cannot wait to come and have some fresh lettuce for a wonderful salad. I am so jealous I am not there to help with the garden. Good luck everything looks as though you and Jane are well on your way to a great garden this year. Jean
leo says
March 22, 2012 at 4:53 pmCome on down, Jean. You can play in the dirt with us!
Shirley says
March 22, 2012 at 12:28 pmLeo, tienen una gran bendición en la Encrucijada, es muy gratificante poder alimentarse con los frutos que uno mismo a sembrado. Esos tomates, lechugas y demás coles han de saber riquisimas. Saludos
leo says
March 22, 2012 at 4:52 pmMuchas gracias, senora!
Shirley says
March 22, 2012 at 12:27 pmLeo, tienen una gran bendición en la Encrucijada, es muy gratificante poder alimentarse con los frutos que no mismo a sembrado. Esos tomates, lechugas y demás coles han de saber riquisimas. Saludos
leo says
March 22, 2012 at 7:20 amBJ, I actually have 2 large compost bins. I’ll do a post soon about how we compost. We can and freeze a lot of the produce and anyone who visits the Crossroads leaves with a load of veggies. Consequently, we have a lot of friends!
Bj says
March 22, 2012 at 5:39 am2 Questions … How did you make your compost? And what will you do with all your produce?
Barbara F. says
March 22, 2012 at 4:19 amLooks wonderful to me, Leo. Healthy tomato plants. Blessings for a bountiful harvest. xo
leo says
March 22, 2012 at 7:18 amWe do consider a bountiful harvest a true blessing so that we can pass along the vegetables to family, good friends, and neighbors.
Dolly Sarrio says
March 22, 2012 at 12:28 amWell, I am loving your beautiful garden!!!!
leo says
March 22, 2012 at 7:16 amThanks Dolly, stop by anytime.
Sweet Bee Cottage says
March 21, 2012 at 11:12 pmYou learn something new every day! We have been a bit disappointed with our tomato output and they are so yummy all warm from the sun…….I digress. I will remember your tomato tips when we get ours planted in the next few weeks.
leo says
March 22, 2012 at 7:06 amSweet Bee, thanks for visiting. I agree, there’s nothing like a homegrown tomato!