I am not talking about the post title as a moral, but it's literal meaning. The gardening bug got to me this spring and I planted a few seeds in the yard. I even made a raised bed with the help of a little muscle from the spouse. After a visit to one of my friends who has a green thumb and is an avid gardener, I was very inspired. I decided to start small. A quick trip to Home Depot brought home a untreated Cedar plank, cut to size, and some galvanized nails. Soon, my raised bed was ready, a little one, but I was very proud of it. Filled it up with some great soil and I was ready to go.
Herbs were first on the list and I planted a few seeds in a planter before transferring them into the bed. Three kinds of basil, (Thai basil for the first time-it's great in salads and Thai dishes), Oregano, Thyme, Chives, Mint, Rosemary, Garlic Chives were all on the list.
I got cherry tomato plants, no taller than 3 inches tall, from Whole Foods and put them straight into the bed. They started to grow... oh so fast! In no time, they were almost 4 feet high. I had to scramble to get supports for them, because in no time, there were laden with flowers and fruit.
There were so many little green tomatoes on the tree at one time! I was wondering when they would ripen. Patience!
Meanwhile, my backyardigan friends were having fun in the yard, playing among themselves and getting a snack from me every now and then.
Bell peppers and Serrano peppers were also bought as little plants and they went into the raised bed too. Bell peppers have been slow, but I did get quite a few Serranos. The initial fruit were very bland but now they are finally getting some zing to them.
The Thai Basil was happy, some pretty purple blooms soon appeared and the leaves garnished a whole lot of salads and curries.
Everything comes to he who waits... the tomatoes in abundance. For about two-three weeks, we got approximately 30-35 cherry tomatoes to snack on everyday. Then it slowed down some, now there are a lot of flowers again. I actually graded them according to color.
Among flowers, from what I had earlier from last year, the Calla lilies bloomed, so did the Mogra (Asian jasmine), Pink Jasmine, roses and Gerber daisies. It was a small garden. I have a long way to go to get to the stage my friend is at, she hardly visits the store to shop for vegetables and herbs, she has them all in her backyard. It is a good start though, some hits, and some misses. You live and learn!
Herbs were first on the list and I planted a few seeds in a planter before transferring them into the bed. Three kinds of basil, (Thai basil for the first time-it's great in salads and Thai dishes), Oregano, Thyme, Chives, Mint, Rosemary, Garlic Chives were all on the list.
I got cherry tomato plants, no taller than 3 inches tall, from Whole Foods and put them straight into the bed. They started to grow... oh so fast! In no time, they were almost 4 feet high. I had to scramble to get supports for them, because in no time, there were laden with flowers and fruit.
There were so many little green tomatoes on the tree at one time! I was wondering when they would ripen. Patience!
Two zucchini plants were in the ground but I guess I didn't read up before getting them. To this date, they only get male flowers, and I have yet to see a fruit. I must follow up and see where I went wrong.
Meanwhile, my backyardigan friends were having fun in the yard, playing among themselves and getting a snack from me every now and then.
Bell peppers and Serrano peppers were also bought as little plants and they went into the raised bed too. Bell peppers have been slow, but I did get quite a few Serranos. The initial fruit were very bland but now they are finally getting some zing to them.
The Thai Basil was happy, some pretty purple blooms soon appeared and the leaves garnished a whole lot of salads and curries.
Everything comes to he who waits... the tomatoes in abundance. For about two-three weeks, we got approximately 30-35 cherry tomatoes to snack on everyday. Then it slowed down some, now there are a lot of flowers again. I actually graded them according to color.
Among flowers, from what I had earlier from last year, the Calla lilies bloomed, so did the Mogra (Asian jasmine), Pink Jasmine, roses and Gerber daisies. It was a small garden. I have a long way to go to get to the stage my friend is at, she hardly visits the store to shop for vegetables and herbs, she has them all in her backyard. It is a good start though, some hits, and some misses. You live and learn!
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