G is for Garden: Humbly cultivating life
G is for Garden: Humbly cultivating life06/20/2011
I have good news friends, I am in love. Yes you heard it here first, I am madly and utterly in love with my garden. In these short two months a hungry ambition has phased into the garden of eden (might be a bit of an overstatement) right before my eyes. My roommates and I have been busy turning, digging, planting, weeding, creating, observing, sweating, and smiling. What was once a drab area of grass is quickly becoming my date for many meals to come. Our menu has gradually grown and morphed from our original outlook and let me tell you, my tastes buds are anxious. Currently in our ground is:
s=seed
t=transplant
(not in any specific order)
brussel sprouts-t
broccoli-t
celery-t
scarlet nantes carrots-s
jalapenos-t
parsley-t
chamomile-t
leeks-t
bloomsdale spinach-s
mixed lettuce-t
buttercrunch lettuce-t
rainbow chard-s
cilantro-t
6 tomato varieties (roma, early girl, sungold, sweet million, oregon spring, green grape)-t
amish snap peas-s
sugar ann peas-t
beer friend edamama-t,
blue lake pole beans-s
detriot dark red beets-s
zucchini-t
crookneck summer squash-s
chives-potted by previous tenant
lavender-potted by previous tenant
nasturtiums-s and t
sunflowers-s
Along with these delectable life forms we also have a zoo of critters and bugs. I never comprehended how much goes on above, on top, and below the dirt. Some, like the spiders, bees, birds, and worms are helpful and doing their best to keep things in check. Others like the caterpillars, earwigs, beetles, moths, and so on are hungry savages. I can hear Elton John now...It's the Ciiiircle of Liiiiife! Adding to that circle my roommates and I are on damage control and as peacefully as possible retire the necessary bugs. Our main competitor seems to be a hungry hungry caterpillar (ironically my favorite childhood book). He just loves our broccoli. The clever little guys have evolved into the exact same color as the leaves. Oh nature you are so amazing. Some organic ways of dealing with them and others are a home-made vinegar spray, picking them, introducing other animals and birds that snack on them, and companion planting. Many vegetables, fruits, and herbs help each other out and produce better results when planted next to one another. There are many online resources and books to guide you on the right companion planting path. Here's one, http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Which_Vegetables_Grow_Well_Together. We, however, were too excited and planted away before planning out this technique. Lucky for us we get to do this every year!
Other tips:
-Weed, weed, and weed some more.
-Allow the appropriate space for each plant to grow by thinning out the sprouted seeds and planting transplants consciously.
-Some plants, like jalapenos, are used to warmer climates and do not so well elsewhere. You can make a mini green house for them with an empty water jug. Just cut off the bottom and place over each plant and you got yourself a warmer climate.
-Add even more of your personal touch with some art and a hand-made trellis. We did and hope to have more to come.
s=seed
t=transplant
(not in any specific order)
brussel sprouts-t
broccoli-t
celery-t
scarlet nantes carrots-s
jalapenos-t
parsley-t
chamomile-t
leeks-t
bloomsdale spinach-s
mixed lettuce-t
buttercrunch lettuce-t
rainbow chard-s
cilantro-t
6 tomato varieties (roma, early girl, sungold, sweet million, oregon spring, green grape)-t
amish snap peas-s
sugar ann peas-t
beer friend edamama-t,
blue lake pole beans-s
detriot dark red beets-s
zucchini-t
crookneck summer squash-s
chives-potted by previous tenant
lavender-potted by previous tenant
nasturtiums-s and t
sunflowers-s
Along with these delectable life forms we also have a zoo of critters and bugs. I never comprehended how much goes on above, on top, and below the dirt. Some, like the spiders, bees, birds, and worms are helpful and doing their best to keep things in check. Others like the caterpillars, earwigs, beetles, moths, and so on are hungry savages. I can hear Elton John now...It's the Ciiiircle of Liiiiife! Adding to that circle my roommates and I are on damage control and as peacefully as possible retire the necessary bugs. Our main competitor seems to be a hungry hungry caterpillar (ironically my favorite childhood book). He just loves our broccoli. The clever little guys have evolved into the exact same color as the leaves. Oh nature you are so amazing. Some organic ways of dealing with them and others are a home-made vinegar spray, picking them, introducing other animals and birds that snack on them, and companion planting. Many vegetables, fruits, and herbs help each other out and produce better results when planted next to one another. There are many online resources and books to guide you on the right companion planting path. Here's one, http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Which_Vegetables_Grow_Well_Together. We, however, were too excited and planted away before planning out this technique. Lucky for us we get to do this every year!
Other tips:
-Weed, weed, and weed some more.
-Allow the appropriate space for each plant to grow by thinning out the sprouted seeds and planting transplants consciously.
-Some plants, like jalapenos, are used to warmer climates and do not so well elsewhere. You can make a mini green house for them with an empty water jug. Just cut off the bottom and place over each plant and you got yourself a warmer climate.
-Add even more of your personal touch with some art and a hand-made trellis. We did and hope to have more to come.
the progress...
My lovely roommate Eliza made the trellis and I sculpted the bust in art class.
Chives
Crookneck summer squash
Sugar Ann snap peas
With almost everything in the ground I am getting quite excited to harvest, cook, consume, and can! Chamomile tea anyone?
With love and dirt,
Amanda
Oh yeah and if you care about humanity and this lovely planet that lets us live here then I recommend watching the documentary Queen of the Sun http://www.queenofthesun.com/about/trailer/
With love and dirt,
Amanda
Oh yeah and if you care about humanity and this lovely planet that lets us live here then I recommend watching the documentary Queen of the Sun http://www.queenofthesun.com/about/trailer/
Labels: ~Amanda, G is for Garden
posted by D.r.e.e.m. Reality @ 3:50 PM
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