Last winter, while I was pregnant, all I could dream about doing in the spring was plant my garden. It would have been the best garden ever, full of tomatoes, squash, potatoes and plenty of fresh herbs. I would use these to make delicious meals and preserves and never have to worry about looking for 'organic' food in the grocery store. Alas, because Nature hates me, that never happened. After F was born I was sent to hospital not once, but TWICE, with serious infections. I then had two more infections. Recovering was not easy because of the anaemia from my emergency c-section. I'm very disappointed. I keep looking out at the empty backyard and keep rearranging the plants in my head. I did however manage to plant a few things. Most notably is a few herbs; right now I have Garlic Chives, Basil and Cilantro.
I also have a wild Strawberry plant that I saved from the hacks of the lawnmower. Phil was mowing one day and I noticed a red spot on the grass - I took a closer look and low and behold it was a tiny strawberry. I dug it up and placed it with the herbs to see if it would grow.
Now over a month later it's practically taking over my tiny herb garden. I don't think I'll keep it though, they seem to be growing out instead of up...
I did also plant my potatoes. I had seen on a Jamie Oliver show that he and his gardener planted some potatoes in a sac of compost. I thought it was a brilliant idea and set about looking for information. Then I came across this guy, he suggested planting potatoes in old tires - good for recycling and they act as an incubator. My parents had some old tires and mom gave them to me to give it a try. I had a few Red Potatoes under the sink that were growing limbs and had some decay - I cut them up and planted them on June 30th.
This is what they looked like yesterday!
Two weeks after planting the Reds I planted some Yukon Golds - everywhere I read up on growing potatoes this species was a recurring name. So I cut those up, let the cut sides scab over and planted them also - I had a tiny sprout yesterday :D
Finally, I have two tomato plants that mom and I salvaged from the Scary Garden. We loaded them up in some beautiful compost (also from mom's garden) they now sit quietly basking in the sun on my deck.
I was afraid the bigger one wouldn't flower but it does have a few buds.
I'll keep everyone posted as these few items keep thriving! Happy gardening!
I also have a wild Strawberry plant that I saved from the hacks of the lawnmower. Phil was mowing one day and I noticed a red spot on the grass - I took a closer look and low and behold it was a tiny strawberry. I dug it up and placed it with the herbs to see if it would grow.
Now over a month later it's practically taking over my tiny herb garden. I don't think I'll keep it though, they seem to be growing out instead of up...
I did also plant my potatoes. I had seen on a Jamie Oliver show that he and his gardener planted some potatoes in a sac of compost. I thought it was a brilliant idea and set about looking for information. Then I came across this guy, he suggested planting potatoes in old tires - good for recycling and they act as an incubator. My parents had some old tires and mom gave them to me to give it a try. I had a few Red Potatoes under the sink that were growing limbs and had some decay - I cut them up and planted them on June 30th.
This is what they looked like yesterday!
Two weeks after planting the Reds I planted some Yukon Golds - everywhere I read up on growing potatoes this species was a recurring name. So I cut those up, let the cut sides scab over and planted them also - I had a tiny sprout yesterday :D
Finally, I have two tomato plants that mom and I salvaged from the Scary Garden. We loaded them up in some beautiful compost (also from mom's garden) they now sit quietly basking in the sun on my deck.
I was afraid the bigger one wouldn't flower but it does have a few buds.
I'll keep everyone posted as these few items keep thriving! Happy gardening!
