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| From In the Garden |
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| From In the Garden |
I am challenged by mature oak trees on the southern side of my yard which blocks the sun from the vegetable garden during the spring and fall. The summer is usually not an issue due to the sun passing directly overhead but now that the sun is sinking to the south I have way too much shade. Nonetheless we persevere. The vegetable garden is bordered on two sides by the Sunny Perennial Garden. Here you see many flowers blooming in that garden. These flowers are tall but because the perennial garden is on the north side of the vegetable garden the flowers do not block the sun. As an added bonus I get some fairly good color from this garden.
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| From In the Garden |
Let's start with the A-frame and my goal of picking lettuce and tomatoes together. I have achieved that goal though not due to shading the lettuce. I made a later sowing of the lettuce seeds and they are doing well as you can see from the picture above. Mr. Fix-it says the lettuce is bitter but oh well, we can't have it all I guess. Hopefully with more shade and consistent watering the lettuce will not be so bitter. I'll sow another sowing in a few weeks to carry me into the fall. The bushel gourds growing on the A-frame have been a disappointment. Less than 1/4 of the seeds germinated. The ones that did though are growing fairly well on the A-frame. I suspect the A-frames will be covered soon but I'm not sure if the bushel gourds will have time to develop as there is no sign of them so far. Next to the lettuce is a planting of summer squash or some other vine. I got behind in the vegetable garden and really did not pay much attention to what I was planting. Pitiful I know. I guess I'll be surprised.
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| From In the Garden |
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| From In the Garden |
The two eggplants and the two peppers I decided to grow in the hay bales are not doing as well as if they were planted in the ground. I think I am not able to keep the hay moist enough even though the hay bales were well seasoned and should theoretically hold moisture well. I have really had to water these hay bales more than the vegetable garden itself. I have not given up on growing veggies in this way but will try to be better prepared next spring before the season gets too busy. I think perhaps I needed to hollow out a bigger hole and fill it in the fall prior to planting. This is something I'll try this fall. I do have one pepper growing though. It is a mild banana pepper. Having spent all those years in the Army I really cannot stomach spicy things that well so I never grow hot peppers.
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| From In the Garden |
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| From In the Garden |
The PVC Arbor picture is a late addition. I built a very large arbor out of PVC a few years ago. It is a spectacular entry to the veggie garden and serves a dual purpose in that vines can grow up its covering of chicken wire. The support pictured above is the right side support. It is located right behind the ornamental grass. On this support grows a double yellow Jessamine and some annuals. Can you see the annuals? One is a hyacinth bean vine for summer color and the other is the kuri squash vine from the vegetable garden. I am very excited about the squash climbing the arbor-all on its own. If you look to the right of the green PVC arbor you can see the cedar pyramid like trellis. This bed used to house the bananas but I dug them up this spring. Unfortunately some of the bananas are still poking up through the cantaloupe and even in my compost bin! I am wondering if I'll ever get rid of them.
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| From In the Garden |
If you'll remember from last month's Veggie Garden Update we had some mystery vines planted by either the birds or started in some compost I spread out front in some ornamental beds. I am fairly certain the mystery vines are pumpkins. We have a good one started as you can see above. The vines are out of control but I am able to keep them running along the border of a few gardens so they are not a big problem. We've had minor issues with squash borers already but I am staying up on them. So far the vines in the front gardens have not been attacked so I am thinking there are definite benefits to growing edibles with ornamentals.
If you plan to do successive sowings of vegetables (like I am) it is time to start another planting of cucumbers, beans, zucchini, and I even think it is not too late to start summer squash and cantaloupes....
in the garden....
Please vote on my poll on the sidebar. Thanks. tina
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,
In the Garden
Good morning, Tina. Great post. Making notes of your trellises so I can construct some. Have you ever tried a cattle panel trellis? I like your wood framed ones, they look a little dressier than just wire.
ReplyDeleteLove your yellow metal gates, those are so cute. Did you find them at antique stores?
Can't believe how much room these vining crops take up. Should have remembered from years back when I grew zucchini. That's why I need to make a trellis for next year. My two gourds are swallowing up at least a 15 x 15 foot area. I planted them in a compost pile and they went nuts. Since they are on the ground, now I'm worrying that the fruit will rot before it dries completely.
Marnie
My veggies look awful this year, we have eaten about 5 tomatoes and one pepper, handful of peas. I think the squash and especially the pumpkin will do well this year.
ReplyDeleteYour veggie garden is very attractive and looks like it provides you with plenty to harvest. I've decided to move ours away from its current location because the hedge that borders it has grown up enough to compete for nutrients and moisture and is shading it too much.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering about the bitterness of the lettuce. Is it due to the warmth of the soil? Even though our cukes and zucchini did not do well, I'm going to try another planting like you suggested, if I can find any more seeds at the store. Maybe the fall crop will be more successful.
Regarding the poll, why isn't there a choice for "all of the above"?
Hi Marnie, I keep trying to find a use for the cattle panels but so far no joy. I use concrete reinforcing wire heavily. We bought a huge roll for $10 from our local salvage yard. What a deal! I do like the cattle panels though. I purchased the metal gates (3) from our flea market here in Nashville. We have one of the best in the country. It is simply awesome! The vendor had quite a few of them but I picked three that worked just for me. I painted them yellow. Vining crops take so much room. They run all over the place. You really have to have the room. I wish I had more room. You should get tons of gourds from yours as they must be most happy in the compost bin. I doubt the fruit will rot. Just check it occasionally and rotate it. They typically grow on the ground anyhow. Due to space limitations I grow mine on the A frame trellises.
ReplyDeleteDawn, Picking tomatoes in Maine prior to August is pretty good!
I think your vegetable garden looks great. All that vertical support really gives the area nice heigth. Glad you got the lettuce to grow. I kept some going until the 4th of July which is amazing for our area but it got bitter too. I think the heat does that. Cucumbers are awesome. Mine are just starting to grow nice. Enjoy those veggies!
ReplyDeleteW2W, Good morning! I wish you luck finding some seeds. Our local WM still has some so you might luck out. If you don't find any let me know and I'll send you some. I guess on the poll I was looking for the primary reason why folks read blogs. It is hard to really peg it down too. The lettuce is most likely bitter due to the heat for sure. I can't fix that. Maybe some ice cubes on the soil? Nah, too much work.
ReplyDeleteGSS, Thanks! I am so limited on my space that going vertical is really the only way for me. You'd think with our one acre lot we'd have plenty of space, not so with trees and traffic patterns for hubby.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so nice! My peppers don't even have flowers yet, but I planted them out way late. What is the white PVC pipe thing in the first photo? I don;t think it's the chicken wire one you talked about?
ReplyDeleteMonica, The white PVC thingy used to be a scarecrow frame. A big windstorm broke it apart and I haven't gotten around to putting it all back in order (hey it's only been two years:) Actually what the windstorm did was break the broom handle that supported the PVC upright. When the whole thing fell some parts came off. The PVC frame really does work well for scarecrows. I need to fix it soon-at least before I post more pictures of it. I neglect my veggies a bit in favor of messing with perennials. Those peppers will come-just wait and see.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks happy and healthy.
ReplyDeleteMy veggie garden has really taken off also. Had tons of peas but all gone now. I have 7 hay bales with 5 different zucchini and 4 different cukes (all pickling) and they are doing very good (will pick some of both this week) but I do have to water every single day. Very dry and the soil in the holes is very hard so think next year I will mix more peat moss in it but then maybe I will not be able to keep enough water on them. Normally it is not as hot and dry here in Maine but it has been terrible this summer. I might add that I am really not complaing as it is better than all the rain last year.
I am with w2w as I wanted to vote for all 3 as I would have a hard time to pick just 1 as I enjoy all 3 so did not vote. Have to think about it for a while.
I love the shots of your garden Tina. Even though I have a short season I can plant another sowing of spinach radishes lettuce collards swiss chard and annual herbs like basil and cilantro.
ReplyDeleteTina your garden is so large and impressive. You've done a great job!!! I, too, like the milder banana peppers. That's funny about the banana still popping up everywhere. I know it's not funny to you but I have to sympathize because we have what I guess was a Lemon plant that try as we have still comes up everywhere. And I mean everywhere -we must have 100s still growing in the flowers. Eeeek! Oh and in the lawn a bit. LOL
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the fruits of your labor!
Mom, so glad to hear your vegetable garden is doing well. It is such a good thing to be able to pick fresh veggies. It sure seems like the weather never cooperates anymore does it? Either all rain or all sun and drought. Sigh. The peat moss sounds good. Also I think making a really big hole is good too. Mine were not big enough I don't think.
ReplyDeleteMelanie, Those second sows are something I've never done before but I'm liking it too!
Linda, It is funny about those bananas. They are tough ole cookies for sure. Good thing because honestly I'd hate to lose them all. I think I'll dig the extras for the plant sale. I bet your lawn smells great when you mow it-I love the smell of lemons.
Fabulous veg garden – you are making hungry! We’ve been enjoying our tomatoes. You inspire me to try more.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great post Tina. Your garden looks fantastic. Mine is all gone. A few bell peppers still.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll try for another Fall planting if things work out ok.
What is the grass in the pictures?
Hi Sarah, Gotta love those fresh tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteLola, Hope you are well. The ornamental grass is one I have no idea what kind it is. I should know but don't. I got it from the MG plant sale. It's a pretty white one though but I hope it does not become invasive.
It's looking good! I'm definitely going the heavy concrete reinforced cage route next year. My tomatoes are ignoring the silly little "tomato stakes" and are going where they want. We're still getting a ton of fruit though so it isn't the end of the world. Our cucumbers got sacked with the wilt this year. I'll be planting another crop soon.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you have some great veggies growing. We didn't have good luck with our summer veggies. I just got too hot too fast this year. We have plenty of basil and tomatoes though. Carla
ReplyDeleteYour veggie garden is really doing well this summer. I've been babying mine along by handwatering daily. It's so hot, but the maters and peppers are loving it. I love those 6 ft cages you have for your tomatoes, I stake mine but your cages look more practical.
ReplyDeleteHey Tina,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know I added your blog to the soon to be launched North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association blog roll for NC Blogs!
http://www.tarheelgardening.com/wordpress/
I also wanted to make sure you received my new link for Gardening With Confidence's blog
www.gardeningwithconfidence.com/blog.
Thanks!
I hope you are doing well!
H.
Dave, check out a local salvage yard for some really good deals on this wire. You can't beat it!
ReplyDeleteCarla, Basil and tomatoes are pretty awesome-I especially love them together!
Racquel, The cages work so much better IMHO. All I do is guide the plants to grow inside of the cages. No tying required. Very easy to make too. Some salvage yards should have wire cheaply. Hand watering doesn't sound like fun. Just came back from town where it is raining cats and dogs-no rain here though:(
Helen, I've updated your link. Thanks for letting me know and for adding us into your new website!
Looking Good Tina! The few things we planted, tomatoes, green peppers, herbs all flopped this year. I think it was too hot too quick this spring and things just croaked on me. I do have a few cucumbers on the vine that need to be picked soon but nothing else to pick. Booooo hoooooo....
ReplyDeleteHaving fun with my family....
Hi Tina. Your blog is really interesting, I'll sign up to receive emails when you post. Thank you for your recipe for cucumbers too. Last year none of mine were bitter, this year half are half not. I intend pulling out the bitter ones - they are so prolific anyway. I might plant something else that will climb the frame. Christina
ReplyDeleteI could definitely use some of your trellises, Tina! Not being very handy, I tied some stakes together to make kind of a pyramid shape for my cukes, but by the time I got that done, the cucumber plants were all running rampant through the garden. I think I might need some pickle recipes:)
ReplyDeleteI voted in your poll, but I tried to vote for two things, and it wouldn't let me. I love looking at all the photos of people's gardens, but the information or stories are what I really read blogs for. I've learned almost as much from reading blogs as in my MG classes!
Skeeter, Cukes are great! It sure looks like you are having fun!
ReplyDeleteChristina, Your garden is awesome. I like your planning and the fact you are adapting to the conditions with the Mediterranean plants. It's smart to pull the bitter cukes-they are very hard to eat as we get a few too.
Rose, Next year you'll be ahead of the ballgame since you've got your pyramids now. That is a bonus. Sometimes even with a support they take over-mine are everywhere but I'm not complaining because last year I had like no veggies.
On the poll I am glad to hear you read blogs for info. So many seem to prefer photos. When I began blogging it seemed the photos were more of supporting players but not so in the garden arena I guess. I too like the info and also usually read comments. Sometimes you get lots of info from comments. I think with the poll limited to one answer then I guess I kind of limit you guys to because if you are like me you read them for info, love the pictures and are also interested in the comments.
I am busy repainting my kitchen will check in as able. All have a great day!
Is it bad that I'm rooting for a banana or two to work its way back into your garden? I remember them being so spectacular looking. Perhaps in a spot that doesn't shade your veggies?
ReplyDeleteMegan, Those bananas need all the help they can get so don't worry about rooting for them. I'll find a spot for a few but not in the veggie garden:)
ReplyDeleteI love the a frame trellises. It sure looks good in your vegetable garden and how lucky you're eating from it already. I think this may be the year I give up on vegetables, the weather just won't cooperate. Tomatoes still only have a few flowers, lettuce was eaten by slugs every time it germinated. But we did get tons of sugar snap peas. My gourds never germinated either. That pumpkin is looking good!
ReplyDeleteYour veg garden is looking very lush. I grow short cucumbers too, I think they taste better.
ReplyDeleteOh. Your garden is doing really well! NOt like my garden. The peppers and the tomatoes are getting dry because of the weather. I already tried putting shades on them but still the weather kills them slowly. Anyways, I love the arrangements of your garden. I would love to have my garden like that really.
ReplyDeleteI hope that I have mystery vines too so that I can harvest some pumpkin too. LOl. Your garden is so amazing. The flowers are really blooming well and your tomatoes are really huge I can see it on the photos. My tomatoes are not as huge as yours but it taste good. I hope that my eggplant will grow nice because birds are eating some of my veggies.
ReplyDelete