Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Growing a Garden


This will be my first year to have a REAL vegetable garden and I am so excited! We've grown tomatoes before, and we planted all the flowers in my flower bed (and a few trees and shrubs), but that's about it. I don't really even know where to start other than the seeds I've purchased, so I'm doing a little research. I think I'm going to get a spiral notebook to keep track of what I am learning.

We live in a regular suburban neighborhood, but we have an over sized lot and a big backyard. I think I'm going to put the garden in the spot where we used to have an above ground pool. There's very little grass there for me to dig up and it's to the side of the house and not right off the back porch. That way people won't have to walk through it if we have a backyard barbecue.

I'll keep you posted on how it's coming along. :)

13 comments:

Tracy said...

Such a good idea to keep a garden journal. You should do very well, as you're south of me and our garden flourishes each year. Can't wait to see the pictures!

Lynn said...

Funny - I have been wondering whether to have a go - I have grown strawberries & tomatoes and that's about it. Perhaps we can help each other along?

CandiceM said...

How fun!! We have planted tomatoes and peppers.... and soon will plant some zucchini and cucumbers. Hoping for some fresh salsa!! Good luck with your garden!!

I ordered the sew what! book. After I read what it was about I was sooo excited! I have trouble finding skirts that fit so I'm hoping this book will help me!! Thanks for the recommendation!

JKaye said...

Hi. Gardening is such a wonderful activity. Not only do you get some flowers and food, but you also get some good exercise, you get to be outside, and it's a great time to unwind, maybe think and pray about things.

I learn a lot by getting gardening books from the library (love to look at the photos of beautful gardens) and I get pamphlets from the county extension service.

The spot where the pool was sounds great, especially if it isn't shaded by the house. Sounds like you are off to a great start.

Anonymous said...

The gardening notebook is a very good idea. You think you're going to remember everything you do, observations you make, what you put where & might want to rotate for next year....& it doesn't always work to try to commit that to memory! Best of luck as you get started!

Brenda

MrsRitchey said...

I am going to have a garden for the first time. I have decided to go with the raised bed idea. I won't have to dig anything, just buy a bunch of nutricious dirt to dump in. And put up a fence of some sort around all of it to keep out the bunnies. I was thinking of two or three raised beds, and then paths between the beds. I am excited too!

Monique

Just Me said...

Post pictures, please! I will be doing this sometime soon on our new property! Thanks!

~~Deby said...

I am so excited for you, there is nothing better than fresh produce.
I wish I had it in me to do it.
Such a big difference.
I hope we will get to see pictures of your progress and all the plants as they grow....
Will you sell and ship ???
Deby

Anonymous said...

How exciting! My hubby is an avid gardener and he teaches me more each year. Home grown fruit and veg is just the best...and much healthier if you garden organic.

Are you going to post pics?

Keep us up to date!

Love, Tina :)

Anonymous said...

Oh how fun! I pray it goes well and you get lots and lots of vegetables. (o:

Many Blessings!
Michele

50s Housewife said...

Tracy, we are south (and west) of you I think. Hopefully the garden will do well, but it sure has been dry lately.

Lynn, I will need all the help I can get! :)

Candice, we LOVE home made salsa. Hope you like the book! :)

Judi, I've been researching on the internet and I'm also planning to check out a whole stack of gardening books from the library. Hopefully I can find some information specific to my region. I just found out that I'm in zone 7.

Brenda, thank you!

Monique, I may try the raised bed idea too. I think I'll look around at Home Depot and see what sort of materials are available and what the cost would be to contruct some. Any ideas?

lady-in-the-making, yes I will post pictures as soon as I get started. :)

Deby, yes fresh produce is the best! I don't know if anything I grow would make it all the way to you without getting yucky in the process. :)

Tina, maybe you could give me some advice then. Right now I'm not even sure if I want to try to rent a tiller or construct raised beds. I don't want this to be expensive.

Michele, thank you! I WILL email you for your new blog address... :)

yoshi3329 said...

We're growing a graden too, we did one last year for the first time and it didn't turn out so good but this time we'll get it for sure! oh and I see that we'll be using the same seed company!

http://adlynmorrison.blogspot.com/

50s Housewife said...

Yoshi, thank you for stopping by! We have yet to plant the garden, but we're hoping to get started on it this week. Mike (my husband) is a more accomplished gardener than I am, so hopefully between the two of us we'll actually wind up with something edible. :)