I wanted to share a little bit about our garden we grow in our backyard. It's one of my very favorite parts of our home, and one that I can't wait to expand. It took a lot of work to get the large bed ready for planting again, it is about 250 square feet. It took me a quite a few hours to till it and weed it, and it left calluses on my hands. I love working so hard that I feel physically exhausted afterward, and feel it in my body the next day. We were able to use compost that we've been "making" for the past year. It's so cool to know that our food scraps that would have otherwise ended up in the garbage are now making our garden thrive!
When we bought our starters a while ago, we decided to tone it down and simplify it a little bit compared to last year's garden. I don't know what we were thinking last year planting 12 (12!) tomato plants for two people, and we decided that the corn was not worth the real estate it takes up. Instead, we opted for lots of greens and squash(es?) that take up a lot of space. This makes the garden pretty manageable with a baby.
We planted six tomato plants, strawberries, red lettuce, swiss chard, celery, mustard greens, collard green, romaine lettuce, butternut squash, zucchini, and yellow zucchini. I also planted marigolds and chives around the edges, since the aroma of them is said to keep out aphids. I have basil, cilantro, and parsley in pots in our kitchen so I always have fresh herbs on hand!
My mom came over while I was gathering the ripe vegetable a few days ago, and snapped these pictures. I like that they capture what most of my summer days are like- spending sometime weeding, watering, and/or harvesting!
Even Jacob has to pull his weight around here! I really love that these veggies can go right from the garden into his little belly. I can't wait till he is old enough to "help" me water and care for our plants.
This is only the second year I've had a proper garden, and I am still learning my way through both bountiful and failed crops. I need to plan what I will plant for the Fall and start working on that. We have plans to rip up much of our lawn and cover the majority of the backyard in edible plants. I love that even if you have a tiny patio, you can grow your own veggies- tomatoes LOVE to grow in buckets and herbs grow great on a kitchen windowsill. Do you have a garden? Any fruits or vegetables you like to grow in the Fall?
I really admire the fact that you make time to have a proper garden as well as look after your baby! I wish that I was that organised! It looks great to be able to spend so much time outside and be rewarded for your hard work, and like you said, so good that Jacob is getting homegrown food to eat! We still lI've in rented so doing anything long term in our garden isn't really possible, but will definitely be trying to do some temporary veg growing in buckets and pots, so thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog since I was pregnant, and Jacob is about a week younger than my baby Theo, I think! It was really good to see how your progress was, and how similar it was to my own. And now to see the babies change and learn is really exciting! Your little family is really sweet.
Anyway, thanks again for the inspiration, looks like you are doing a great job! Xx
I wish I didn't live in an apartment so I could grow my own garden. All of those veggies you planted are things that I eat daily! The swiss chard looks really yummy.
ReplyDeleteJacob really seems to love his veggies too!
Baby Jacob needs a big pumpkin to take pictures with in the fall! Does he eat any of the garden veggies yet? When he does you will have fun making his baby food from your garden, too! You could puree some for next winter if you have room in your freezer.
ReplyDeleteThis post makes me miss gardening like no other! I plan on starting a little potted garden on my balcony when I move, but it in now way will compare to your lovely one! I'll just have to live vicariously through your garden posts here on the blog. You'll have to post some new recipes and show us what you're doing with all those delicious veggies.
ReplyDeleteOne of these days I'll live in a space that allows for some outdoor gardening. I really do miss living at home with my parents because they had the best gardens, both edible and pretty to look at. Thanks for sharing. The little mister is quite a cutie!
ReplyDeleteyour garden is awesome!! i have two small raised beds in the back yard of my apartment building... planning for fall - kale (which survived the dc "snowpacalypse" along with broccoli rabe), spinach, brussel sprouts, maybe potatoes, also going to plant spring garlic/onions, broccoli ... basically anything dark and leafy - maybe i'll make the containers enclosed if this winter is supposed to get crazy snow again. do you have a plan for fall crops?
ReplyDeleteyour garden is a dream! i wish i had the space to grow this much. i do have a small container garden with various herbs, though.
ReplyDeleteWe did a garden for the first time this year. We have cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, edamame, yellow squash, and basil. Next year, I want to do fewer squash and lots more edamame. We want to expand our beds next year and add strawberries, greens, artichokes, and butternut squash. I'm also curious what can be planted for fall...
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing garden and a gorgeous dress you're in. YOu look beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! I love these photos. It is great that you grew your own veggies and can use them regularly too. wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks great! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://breatheandhush.blogspot.com/
It looks great! Last year I didn't garden at all, and this year we planted a few things and lots of flowers. It makes me happy to at least have that.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jacob is adorable. :>
If you're interested, I suggest picking up the book "Carrots Love Tomatoes". It teaches you all about which plants are happiest growing together (and which aren't), and is really good for making efficient use of space. It's awesome!
ReplyDeletewhat a gorgeous blog (and shop for that matter!). I can't believe I didn't find it sooner! (found via frecklewonder) I'll certainly be a regular reader :)
ReplyDeleteWow, what an inspiration! I tried to grow some cilantro, tomatoes and jalepenos but plant lice found their way to them. My biggest issue is bugs! I'm very impressed with your garden! <3
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I couldn't love this any more!! My mom and I planted a miniature garden (only filled with cherry tomatoes, regular tomatoes, and eggplant!) I have loved growing our own vegetables and it is so fun to see them grow and that great feeling you have of knowing that you created something is just unreplaceable, (i bet that's the feeling of having a child too!) ;)
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lyndsey of hellolyndsey
I would LOVE to hear more about how you first started your garden and how you create your own compost! I have tried a garden the past 2 years and failed horribly. It is likely because I live in Arizona, but I'm not going to lie, I can't blame it all on the heat, I'm a pretty lame gardener. I just don't know what I am doing. And you look like you have it down!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I love chard.
ReplyDeletei love this post. and your plaid dress!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks wonderful, and little Jacob is so sweet! I've been reading your blog for a while now, but I never comment because I always feel too shy but you hooked me in with gardening :)
ReplyDeleteI have a tiny and not very successful garden this year in my (Oklahoma) backyard. I'm excited for next year as my boyfriend is buying a house with a really big garden and he said he'll let me loose in it to plant whatever I want! What I'm planting this fall (well I guess I started them off a few weeks back) is more swiss chard, arugula, radishes, beets, broccoli, squash, pickling cucumbers and butternut squash. Whew! Though it's still so hot here it's not like fall at all yet! What did you end up planting for fall?
Charlotte
Your garden is awesome!! i wish i had the space to grow this much:)
ReplyDelete♥ plaid skirts