Wednesday, March 31, 2010
They're Here!
Onion sets and garlic bulbs have arrived from Burpee. The rhubarb is already poking its head above the surface. Planting begins Saturday!
Gardening. A History.
I've been gardening for 8 years, but this year I'm actually going to do it right.
The first few years were rough. Mostly I planted in containers. There was the year I planted morning glories in a hanging basket and ended up with vines taking over the light next to the front door. (What? You mean they climb, not hang over the side?) There was the year I grew salad mix using an old tire with a ripped sidewall as a raised bed. (Doesn't that sound healthy?) The time I planted leftover wilting green onions I had in the fridge and was rewarded with some of the strangest looking bugs I've ever seen. Did I mention this happened when I was living down the road from a nuclear power plant? Let me tell you, if you've never had the chance to grow nuclear chives, those puppies are HUGE.
After moving to a less radioactive location, I stuck to mostly herbs and cherry tomato plants in containers on the deck. They did okay, but my desire for a real garden burned within.
A few years later the opportunity came. A new home, with a 25 x 15 raised bed already in place. A few items came up on their own before my plans were even in place--a shame I don't like asparagus, but the rhubarb was a thrill.
We burned brush, we tilled, we cleared, we planted. Tomatoes, peppers, carrots, spinach, lettuce, green beans, and the obligatory pumpkins for the 7 year old. The herbs were transplanted to a small bed on the back of the house. Things went pretty well considering our lack knowledge. After all, I think we were the only folks in New England to get many tomatoes last year.
I've been gardening for 8 years, but this year I'm actually going to do it right. I'm going to learn about what I'm planting and how to grow it properly. Keep your fingers crossed!
The first few years were rough. Mostly I planted in containers. There was the year I planted morning glories in a hanging basket and ended up with vines taking over the light next to the front door. (What? You mean they climb, not hang over the side?) There was the year I grew salad mix using an old tire with a ripped sidewall as a raised bed. (Doesn't that sound healthy?) The time I planted leftover wilting green onions I had in the fridge and was rewarded with some of the strangest looking bugs I've ever seen. Did I mention this happened when I was living down the road from a nuclear power plant? Let me tell you, if you've never had the chance to grow nuclear chives, those puppies are HUGE.
After moving to a less radioactive location, I stuck to mostly herbs and cherry tomato plants in containers on the deck. They did okay, but my desire for a real garden burned within.
A few years later the opportunity came. A new home, with a 25 x 15 raised bed already in place. A few items came up on their own before my plans were even in place--a shame I don't like asparagus, but the rhubarb was a thrill.
We burned brush, we tilled, we cleared, we planted. Tomatoes, peppers, carrots, spinach, lettuce, green beans, and the obligatory pumpkins for the 7 year old. The herbs were transplanted to a small bed on the back of the house. Things went pretty well considering our lack knowledge. After all, I think we were the only folks in New England to get many tomatoes last year.
I've been gardening for 8 years, but this year I'm actually going to do it right. I'm going to learn about what I'm planting and how to grow it properly. Keep your fingers crossed!
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