Garden 2015 - Post 1

Last year, I was really overly-zealous with planting. I just wanted to have a robust and plentiful garden, but unfortunately I had wonderful intentions and terrible follow-through. I really didn't know much about gardening a few years ago, and I've been slowly learning more and more about gardening.

For instance, never plant mint in a raised bed, unless it's a small one. My 4' x 8' garden was not the right choice - it took over everything. 

This year, Robert built me my second raised bed garden! I am determined to do better this growing season! I plan to:

• not over-plant
• spray a few times a week for pests so I don't lose my zucchini and other crops to bugs and insects
• put slug bait out
• water frequently 

These seem like reasonable and simple goals. I'm hoping I can fulfill them!

What we've planted...

South Garden:

• Ambrosia Corn (1)
• Bodacious Corn (4)
• Romanesco Zucchini (1)
• Giant Pumpkin (1)

West Garden:

• Broccoli (4)
• Sweet Basil (1) - this is an improvement from my 5 varieties of basil last year; not even joking
• Victoria Rhubarb (1)
• Eight Ball Zucchini (1)
• Cilantro (1)
• Green Leaf Lettuce (1)
• Romaine Lettuce (1)
• Spinach (1)
• Arugula (1) - and I might have already killed it
• Mammoth Sweat Pea Mix (2)
• Sweat Pea Flower (1)
• Snap Peas (1)

Wild:

• Raspberries (still have to tie them all down!)
• Grapes - We have growth!

Containers:

• Strawberries
• Pineapple Crush
• Everbearing
• Quinalt
• Blueberries (2 this year instead of 1)  
• Thyme 
• Mint - yes, I really do have 6 varieties!
• Apple
• Orange
• Pineapple
• Chocolate
• Lemon Balm
• Mint Julep 
• Chives
• Celebrity Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Jalapeno
• Early Bell

Here are some pictures of my gardens (and containers) so far this year (please excuse the disaster of a patio and backyard - we are finally recovering from my working 2 jobs during tax season, and the weather being horrible):

Early Bell Peppers (still

Blueberries - I got a second plant this year,
because I learned last year from Ciscoe that
you really need two plants in order to have them
pollinated enough to produce fruit. Noted.

"Celebrity" tomatoes! (Anyone
singing 'N Sync in their heads??
"If I wasn't a celebrity...") You're
welcome, haha!

Chives gone wild!

Jalapeno!

Romanesco Zucchini

Strawberries on the right (3
varieties), chocolate mint on
the left (which is West)

This is the "West" garden, just off the patio. From
left to right at the back: Curry, Pineapple Mint
Lemon Balm, Chocolate Mint.

Another view of the West garden
(looking North)

South Garden - 2 varieties of corn (5 stalks total),
Giant Pumpkin at the far right, and Romanesco
Zucchini

Sweet Peas!

West garden (looking West): 3 varieties of sweet
peas, cilantro, 2 varieties of lettuce, zucchini,
Sweet Basil, sweet pea flowers, broccoli (front
right corner), and some other small stuff. :)

Wish me luck!