Back Yard Update

I realize this isn't interesting to anyone else but it provides me with a place to chronicle progress (or its lack) on our grow boxes and flower beds. Someday I hope to have some flowers in blossom all through the season, besides the marigolds. By recording pictures and notes I can get an idea of what blossom when and where there are empty spots in the garden and in the flowering schedule. I know I sound like such a Rasmussen, but I see that as a good thing!

Here's a picture of our grow boxes on May 13. (click on pics to enlarge)
Here's what the far one looks like today, June 15. I can't believe the growth. I counted 5 Roma tomatoes already set on. We may actually have tomatoes to eat this year. I think we had fewer than 10 last year (not counting the cherry tomatoes). We have already harvested some of the baby spinach and lettuces in the front squares. Just on the other side of the tomatoes are sweet peppers and 2 different types of eggplant. I hope we like eggplant!

The next picture is of the same grow box only from the other end. You can see how big the potato plants, cabbage & broccoli are. I think I better cut off some of those big, outside leaves of the cabbages.
The picture below shows 2 of the tomatoes - still small, but growing! In the same square is a Walla-Walla onion, a marigold and a nasturtium. All are supposed to be good companion plants for tomatoes. For me a garden is all about the tomatoes, everything else is just icing on the cake. Nothing better than homegrown tomatoes. The radishes are ready to harvest. Our temps have been below normal - usually less that 70 degrees and overcast. That's been great for the radishes and peas. It's suppose to warm up later this week which will be good for the tomatoes. I've loved the coolness, but others grumbled because it doesn't feel like summer.

In the picture with the radish (the middle grow box) you can see one of the squares where my carrots didn't grow, although they did in the square just below! Have since planted bush beans in that square (and 2 others). The other plants are beets. I made some roasted beet soup earlier this year that was to die for, so I'm planning on lots of beets for roasting.

I came up with the idea to plant peas in two hanging planters. That way when the hot days arrived we could move them into the shade to keep them cooler. I pictured the vines hanging down over the edge and I'd just pick a few while I was reading on the patio. Here's one of the baby peas on May 5.

The vines didn't fall over the side and seeds in the side holes didn't all sprout and we'll probably only get 15 peas from each pot so I wouldn't call this idea a big success. Live and learn.

This last picture is a banana pepper with a serano pepper behind it. You can see the little tops of the green onions between the two. Those huge leaves in the background are broccoli. Feed me, Seymour!

A Look Back - May

May was a month of sowing for us. Most of the days included caring for the yard and garden. We set up 3 new grow boxes and amended the soil in the 2 older boxes. Time was spent weeding, pruning, transplanting and sowing seeds.

I've written 2 posts about our yard make-over and will probably do an update with pictures in the next few days. The hope is that what we sowed will produce an abundant crop in the fall that we can share with family and friends. We may be checking for unlocked car doors in the church parking lot so we can unload some zucchini!

Overall, May was a great month. It was fun to work side-by-side with Candleman in the yard. There were several bad days, though. I had some of the worst flare-ups of arthritis and fibromyalgia that I've ever experienced. So bad that I considered going to the doctor. Luckily I made it through without having to takes such a desperate action. There were a couple days of depression. I really felt bad that I was depressed on Katie's birthday, but I told her how I was feeling and she was most gracious to accept a birthday dinner a few days later. Alyson was able to come home for a few days and that is always a treat.

Highlights

9th - A large group of family went to dinner at Canton City Buffet to celebrate Mother's Day. I have the best mother in all the world and rejoice in the blessing she has been to me. She is an inspirtation and model of a gracious hostess, a life long learner and a faithful follower of Christ.

12th - Katie's birthday. Holy cow! She's twenty!

15th - Julie Beth's birthday.

16th - Jennifer Rae's birthday. She turned 29 for the 5th time!

23rd-26th - Alyson and Kristi came up from Las Vegas. Kristi has been staying with Alyson for a couple of weeks looking for a job. It was so good to have them home.

25th - Memorial Day. Steve & Verona invited everyone to their house for a brunch. It was raining, but they pulled off a lovely breakfast. That evening we had a bbq are at house and played games afterwards.

30th - Susan Kay was in town. We had a bbq at Mom's house.

TV Shows: Amazing Race, Biggest Looser and 24 all ended this month.

Netfix Movies, Miniseries and TV Series: Australia, Victoria and Albert disc 1, Bramwell disc 1-3, Boston Legal season 1 and part of season 2

Movies in the Theater: Angels and Demons

Books Read: Bound, The Secret Keeper, The Vigorous Mind