Wednesday, March 9, 2011

V is for Veggies and Violet!

We had a wonderful garden at our old house but when we moved, we just never seemed to find the time to start a new one. Then two years we decided to take the plunge and get down and dirty, lol.


We had several requirements:
1) The garden would have to be raised because we have such terrible soil.
2) The entire garden would have to be fenced in because the deer eat everything.
3) The garden would need to be large enough to grow the things we wanted but small enough to take care of without a lot of trouble.
We decided on a garden that was basically 8'x10' and a "C" shape.


Last week I decided to get a jump start and prep the soil but when I went to Lowes, I discovered they already had their veggie plants out so I decided I might as well and get started with the planting too. I planted Romaine Lettuce, Nappa Cabbage, Radishes, onions, four kinds of Tomatoes, 2 bell peppers, Cucumbers, purple potatoes and Birdhouse Gourds.


The Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers and Gourds will go on though to the Fall but the rest will be done by the time the Summer heat arrives.


And here's a picture of my new red-Violet hose and nozzle. I love the color!




Having your own garden is very rewarding and with grocery prices rising every day, it's a good way to save a little cash too.
I mentioned prepping the soil and I can't stress how important this step is! Unless you are blessed with rich, loamy soil, you will want to amend it. Here is the "recipe" I use:
1- 3 cubic foot bag peat moss
2 - 2 cubic foot bags Jungle Growth Garden Soil or other rich garden soil
2 - 2 cubic foot bags Mushroom Compost.
Depending on the size of your garden, you may need larger quantities of each ingredient. 
Mix together thoroughly, if you are planting right into the ground, mix well with your existing soil. I'll try and post pictures as my little garden begins to grow. I'm linking this post to Alphabe Thursday for the letter V at Jenny Matlocks.

15 comments:

  1. love the garden... i can almost taste those fresh greens...

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  2. Lucky you to plant so early. We won't be putting any plants outside until the first part of June.

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  3. I can't believe you got that all planted in that little space!
    I use 1/3 of top soil, cow manure and sand. Cow poop grows everything bigger.
    Love the hose and nozzle. I'm sending Rebecca shopping for me one! The guys wouldn't pick it up for me, so not even going to ask them.
    We are supposed to get snow tonight and in the morning.
    Not planting anything yet!
    Hugs- Tete

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  4. That's a great garden and I'm looking forward to seeing how it grows. No one will trip over that hose by not seeing it...lol....Beautiful color.

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  5. We're thinking of putting in a vegetable garden this year. It's time to grow our own veggies!

    xo
    Claudia

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  6. BTW, I love the hose also...too cool!

    I need one of those at my place...

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  7. I love your garden , you're so lucky and ya soil is very important and I like how you protect it and fence it in so the deer won't get at it . very vibrant hose too !

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  8. That hose is classic! Maybe it'll scare the varmints away from your garden!

    ;)

    PS. I'm pretty late for Alphabe-Thursday this week, so here's my link:
    Vistas

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  9. Last year we didn't garden due to our impending move in Mid-June but we all missed it terribly so I am already planning for at least a bit of something this year. BTW, LOVE your new hose/nozzle!!!

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  10. I would love to have a garden, but we live in in apartment in New York City and don't have any outdoor space. The C shape of your garden looks like a great idea. I hope you have a productive growing season.

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  11. What a fabulous St. Patrick's Day post and your blog looks AMAZING! Wow! Love the garden plans and ideas! Thanks for sharing and have a fabulous day!
    Blessings!
    Coralie

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  12. I WANT THAT HOT PINK HOSE!!!! I have never seen on that color, and it is gorgeous.

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  13. I'm loving the music here today. Tapping my foot and forgetting to write!

    Where did you get that hose? I need one just like it! It's perfectly vividly wonderful!

    I always love seeing gardens and reading about them. In Arizona it's interesting because we actually have two short growing seasons...right now our cool weather crops are finishing up and it's time to start planting beans and tomatoes and zinnias!

    Thanks for a fun stop this week.

    If it's not too much trouble, I'd really love to know where you got that hose, too.

    A+

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  14. I love the photo with the hose! Very cool!

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I appreciate each and every one of your comments! Thank you for taking the time to leave such nice words!