Oh how I love gardening! No you wouldn't know that to look at my blog but really I do. It is therapy for me, and you get a nice pay off with vegetables and flowers. Before moving here 8 yrs ago I had a nice big veggie garden and I sure miss it. Here though, I have struggled to get the dirt right and still have yet to figure it out. Even my planters and pots don't do well here. It's all kinds of birds, rabbits, clay dirt, and left behind construction debris buried in the soil to the max. And to top it off, I have been well enough to do a good job or had the time with all my grand child duties. But still every year I make an effort, only my roses have rewarded my efforts.
This is my most successful bed this year. The basil, stevia, mum and lemon balm are growing really slow though they look pretty good. The thyme has decided it's happy and is starting to take off. I have a mystery flowering plant that is starting to dye back. It appears in the late fall and flowers all winter. It has intensely yellow flowers and is really pretty. Most all the flowers are gone on it now and soon it will disappear till next fall.
The cilantro is already bolting and going to seed. Too hot here already.
My asparagus jumped up and promised to do well then stopped sending up shoots after only a few. I have a volunteer beet and beans that are pretty happy. And finally my ginger has sent up a sprout.
Below are some good links for you to check out.
DIY Pest Control from Back To Basics. I love the nematode recipe, I plan to use it!
Growing Raspberries Year 2 from Summers Acres.
Hosta Care from Mamas Blog Central.
Growing Broccoli from Seed to Harvest from Back to Basics.
Transplanting Mints from Summers Acres.
Vertical Gardening Ideas from Back to Basics.
Hanging Sweet Potato Vine from Let's Drink Coffee Darling. I have a sprouting sweet potato in my pantry and plan to do this with the kids.
Garden Imaginative Play from My Big Fat Happy Life. I love this idea and have been thinking of buying some fake veggies for the kids to 'plant' in a sand filled planter. They could harvest and then replant them :)
Great post everyone! You have all been Pinned! If you would like a featured button click here.
These links are from my weekly link up, Wow Us Wednesdays and are my features. I link at these parties.
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WOW! Thank you for the features. Sharing this. HAPPY EARTH DAY!
ReplyDeleteI also think gardening is like therapy ant it's the best way to relax and clear your head! Caroline
ReplyDeletehttp://doitallworkingmom.com
I love Hostas. Started adding a few a year a while ago. Now I have 7 or 8, I think. They fill out a garden so nicely.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try growing lemon balm this year also. I hear it makes a killer lemonade when you muddle it with some stevia leaves! My stevia plant is doing okay. I have had it indoors all winter and I think it's smiling now that I have it outside. ;)
ReplyDeleteClay soil here too. Over the years it's gotten better ( where I garden and plant flowers ) but it is hard in the beginning! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Connie, I am impressed you are growing your own stevia. Wow! That's a great idea!! I see comments here about clay soil. I wrote an article in the past on how to deal with heavy clay, in this article about how to create seed bombs... http://www.finecraftguild.com/seed-bombs-how-to-make-your-own/ Maybe there's a tip or two for your use.
ReplyDeleteI love growing stevia - I think it is a slow growing plant but then that could be because I'm in Michigan (lol). Such a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing with us on the #WakeUpWednesdayLinky !
ReplyDeleteAngie
http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/
Your garden looks like it's doing well. This is our first year of raised bed gardening and it probably won't look as good as your garden till next year. Thanks for all the helpful links too.
ReplyDeleteI love gardening too and just posted about that. Seems you live where its hot most of the time also and have to watch the hot months coming up. I will have to check out your nematode recipe. Right now I am trying a certain type of marigold to keep them from my garden. Will see if it works. www.mylifeabundant.com
ReplyDeleteKeep trying and building your soil and you will be rewarded. We have been in our home 19yrs and are still adding and adding to the soil. It's an ongoing little job,but we love gardening too. we only have a small garden but fit lots in. I am visiting from Crafts a la mode
ReplyDeleteI struggle with gardening, so I really appreciate your ideas. Pinned! Thanks so much for stopping by our party and I hope you will swing by next Tuesday. I would love to see what you have been working on! Lou Lou Girls http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteGreat post and lots of good information - pinning now
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing,
Kelly
Good tips here! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI hope your garden just gets better and better! Gardening is fun (usually - there are THOSE moments! :) and it is so healthy for us. Thank you for sharing this.... and your pictures.... so fun to get a glimpse into your world. :)
ReplyDeletePretty and practical! Pinned your garden:)
ReplyDeleteGardening is therapy for me as well. I think yours looks great. You will be glad you planted Lemon Balm in a pot because it really takes over. Sure do love to smell it though! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
hi again, I just clicked onto your link from Kathe with an E and realised that I had commented here before,but hey that doesn't matter,you have a nice blog. Have a nice day :)
ReplyDeletehi there! oh how i'd love for you to join in Fishtail Cottage's Garden party (begins May 1st)...hope to see you! xoox
ReplyDeleteYour garden is beautiful! Thank you for sharing this at our HomeAcre Hop!
ReplyDeleteWould love to have you join Fishtail Cottage's garden party this Thursday! May 1st is the first party of the season! hope you see you! xoxo, tracie
ReplyDeleteyour garden is beautiful and I bet enjoying the fruits and vegetables and herbs is a great benefit!
ReplyDeleteI love looking at your successful garden! We are loving our Container Garden that we just started!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your creativity with us at Show-Licious Craft & Recipe Party! I hope you will join us again this Saturday at 8:00 am EST!
~ Ashley
I wish you could come to my house and teach me to be a successful gardener. I love this post. Pinned! Thank you so much for stopping by our party. Please stop by next Tuesday, I love to see your amazing posts. Happy Friday! Lou Lou Girls
ReplyDeleteI may be wrong, but it looks like your mysterious flower is a Columbine variety :) Try googling that and see if that's what it is, your photo is to small for me to say for sure.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, your garden looks great!
Thanks for sharing on Mostly Homemade Mondays! Be sure to stop over today and link up a few of your most recent or most popular posts:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thesustainablecouple.com/2014/05/mostly-homemade-mondays-week-79.html