The Ambitious Gardener: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Here is a quick video update..... carrot harvest!

Basket of Carrots

Watermelon, Cantaloupe and Squash

I harvested most of the carrots today, there are still a few small ones growing so I will have another harvest in a few weeks or so. I had no idea how easy it was to grow carrots, you have to be patient though because they take a while to grow.

I added some Mel's mix to where I took out the carrots and planted a few Roma Tomato plants and Habanero Pepper plants too. You can't grow too many tomatoes or peppers!! I've never grown Habaneros , hopefully they're as easy as the banana variety. I put in the Roma's because my goal is to have enough to make some good sauce, maybe even do a little canning. Is that ambitious enough??? Yup, I think so.

I harvested my first ever cucumbers today also, very exciting as I've heard many horror stories from other gardners about problems with worms, etc.... so far so good here.

The eggplant are finally producing and I have my first Japanese variety to try on the grille this weekend. The Black Beauty's seem to be holding their flowers and I am anxiously awaiting some fruit to appear.

Baby Watermelon

Lots of blooms on Watermelon plant

To the left is a picture of a watermelon!!!! I am so hoping these do well as this is yet another first for me. How cool will it be to pick fresh watermelon and cantaloupe from my garden to enjoy and share!!! These plants have my full attention and I will do everything in my power to keep them healthy and happy.

Happy Gardening!!!

Mary

Squash

Cucumbers, Japanese Eggplant and some Romaine lettuce

Pot of Carrots

Monday, May 27, 2013

Garden Video - 5/26/13

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Square Foot Garden update

I haven't posted since the raised garden beds have been completed and I decided to try Square Foot Gardening. So far I have to say, it's been my best ever gardening experience in all my years of home gardening! The concept of Square Foot Gardening is "grow more in less space", and "space" is something I just don't have here so this concept was a perfect solution to my space problem.

I've already grown and harvested broccoli and radishes and FYI, radishes are FUN to grow! I had 8 broccoli plants which produced enough for about 3 meals, not as much as I would have liked, buy hey, I've never been lucky growing it in the past, so I'll take it! We had a late frost and the eggplant was stunted but has recovered and is now producing. I tried Snow Snap Peas for the first time, after reading how easy and prolific they were, I am disappointed as I believe they have powdery mildew and have basically stopped growing and need to be removed. The Green Onions are coming along nicely as well as the carrots, which I am amazed that I am even growing CARROTS!! I am also growing romaine and mesclun lettuce, there's nothing better then fresh salad with dinner, right out of your garden! I had no idea how easy lettuce was to grow and will be growing much more of it next year. Green beans of course, are the EASIEST veggie to grow, I have a total of 16 plants in 2 squares and believe we'll be eating them thru the end of the summer.

Other first time veggies I'm trying this year are cucumbers, cantaloupe and watermelon..... not too worried about the cukes but wish me luck with the melons!

Happy Gardening.... enjoy the new video and pictures I posted today....

Mary - The Ambitious Gardner :)