Gather round, new gardeners, for I am about to spill the beans on some principles of vegetable gardening that will help you in your own first attempts at growing a little food for yourself. Principles? I know, the word "principles" sounds highfalutin and uppity-do-da-day. But bear with and you'll see that these principles are pretty simple, pretty easy, and pretty much intended to help guide any gardener to a life of happiness and good vegetables. Yes, a life of happiness and good … [Read more...] about Five principles of vegetable gardening
vegetable gardening
Bon Jardinage! – Garlic and shallots
I couldn't pull this sweet alyssum when I weeded today. As visions of Julia Child danced through my head, I planted shallots and garlic in the vegetable garden today. This was the perfect day for it. We finally got our first frost and our first freeze on Saturday morning. Hallelujah and glory-be. I was ready for it. I'm used to the first frost coming around October 10th and that's the signal to start garden clean up. Forget that I don't ever really start garden clean up in earnest until … [Read more...] about Bon Jardinage! – Garlic and shallots
‘German Johnson’ Tomato
I believe 'German Johnson' is one of the finest heirloom tomatoes you can grow in your garden. It has a pinkish skin, pinker than this picture shows, and the classic dimples one generally finds on most of the larger, beefier tomatoes. The vines are indeterminate and should continue to grow and set fruit all the way until the first frost knocks them down. The fruit of 'German Johnson' is very meaty and the taste is as good as you can imagine. Many of the 'German Johnson' tomatoes are so big, … [Read more...] about ‘German Johnson’ Tomato
Familiar beginnings
Garden Fairie Selfie #9 I've been sowing peas or helping to sow peas in the early spring in the garden for as long as I can remember. Fifty years, at least. How early I've planted has varied and I'll admit there was a time when I actually waited too long in the spring to sow peas and as a result, I didn't get a good harvest. I figured out what my problem was several years ago when I found an old packet of pea seeds in a box of seeds my Dad had from the last spring he planted a … [Read more...] about Familiar beginnings
Even experienced gardeners have their troubles
Even experienced gardeners have their troubles at times. Out in my vegetable garden, something has eaten all the leaves off the pole beans and edamame. My guess is it is rabbits doing the eating. I've done nothing to keep them away. I really should get out some spoons and forks to set up my mini fortresses. (Rabbits here. We don't know why she blames us. Burp. Excuse me, I ate too many bean leaves today. I really do need to go on a diet. If I get much fatter and slower, even Carol … [Read more...] about Even experienced gardeners have their troubles
Lettuce contain them
Over the last several weeks, I viewed thousands of picture of gardens I've taken in the last six years, which is nearly every picture I've taken in the last six years. I was looking for pictures to include in a presentation I put together called "No Excuses--Grow Vegetables". Or maybe it was "Grow Vegetables--No Excuses". Either title, I presented it today at a spring gardening clinic. The clinic took place at a school on the east side, just a few blocks from where my mom grew up. … [Read more...] about Lettuce contain them
