marigolds

signs of life

Yesterday afternoon, Daddy, Mom and I (plus Avery on my back for part of it) all worked out in the yard. Daddy built our hopefully rabbit proof fence out of chicken wire and plywood. There was an electric saw and and a staple gun involved. Around this fence I planted some marigold seedlings. I also have some marigold seeds to fill in the gaps. I also planted the herbs: cilantro and garlic chives and basil and more (!) lavender and something else I can't remember right now. Oh and sunflower seeds! Excited about those both for their beauty and their seeds, though I'm not sure how to harvest their seeds or if you have to have a specific kind to get the kind of seeds you can eat raw and sprout. The seeds in the packet, however, looked just like the kind you can eat so this may be promising. I also started the pepper and both types of tomatoes in a peat tray. The tomato seeds had some sort of white coating on them that I hope isn't pesticide.
While Daddy and I got dirty, Mom started the process of painting some dining room chairs. It was nice for us all to be out in the sunshine being busy.
While Daddy was putting the fence around the plot, he noticed that MY GREENS HAVE SPROUTED! They are just the tinniest little green sprout in the whole world but there they are. I planted them and now they are growing! I'm amazed! This was great encouragement and also incentive for the fencing seeing as it's like Watership Down in our backyard. This morning when I took the compost out to the bin, I checked on them and they have grown a little bit more! Huzzah!

horray pt 2

this morning I plant one row of okra and two rows of sugar snaps. I also tossed some bell pepper seeds from the kitchen scrap bucket onto the soil between the okra and peas. we'll see how that goes. I'm also going to seed some peppers and tomatoes whenever i get to the store to pick up some more potting soil. tomorrow perhaps.
i also need to learn how to build a trelis for my peas.
this weekend dad and i are going to build a fence of sorts around the plot with marigolds and chicken wire.
seeds in the ground grow grow grow, seeds in the ground grow grow grow. help me build my garden.

Horray!

This morning I planted one row of salad greens, three hills of squash, three hills of zucchini, one hill of cantaloupe and one hill of watermelons. Please grow little plants!

Sprouts!

I also want to grow sprouts! I ordered alfalfa sprouts and bean sprouts in bulk online.
Shipping was more than I wanted to pay, but can't beat having someone bringing two pounds of various seeds for sprouting to my door. I plan on using recycled jars to grow them in. Total cost: $24

To Do

*Draw up garden plan
* Plant veggies according to plan
* Start tomatoes and peppers plants in tray
*Find a plot for herbs and dig it up
*Plant herbs
* Plant wild flowers

Back from California and a weekend trip to Grandma's, I worked in the garden for the first time in weeks. I was concerned I don't have enough space so I dug a bit more around around the perimeter of my patch. Then I dug in some potting soil and raked it over. Mom came out and thought I should extend it a little further so she dug up more grass while I cut the roots, put the dead grass in the leaf pile, etc.
It's a bit like an archaeological dig- I've found a bunch of broken beer bottles, evidence of the ancient frat boys who used to live in my back yard?
Last week I went to Lowe's and bought seeds --two types of tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, greens, snow peas, okra, red peppers, lavender, wild flowers, chamomile, garlic chives, basil, cilantro, ) and basic gardening gear -- gloves, a trowel set, water can, peat seeding trays, organic plant food and potting soil. The grand total $61.
Need to buy more potting soil, some rubber boots. I also might buy some English peas given that Avery loves them so much.