Back on April 1st, this is what our raised garden beds looked like. There was the beginning of a herb garden, a bed of radishes and some Swiss chard and spinach.
Oh what a difference a few months make.
Even though there are days I feel totally overwhelmed with my garden and the whole trying to grow 2,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables in our suburban backyard, when I step back a little bit, and see just where I started from, it makes all those hours of planting {and weeding} worth it.
Well enough about ME.
What’s going on with YOU?
How is YOUR garden growing, and if you had to do it all over again, what would you have changed/planted differently this summer?
If you are new to gardening or just want to learn more on the topic of organic gardening, my #1 favorite book is The Gardener’s A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food
Leah says
Mavis, your garden is lovely, how do you control the weeds?
Mavis says
2 words: Landscape Fabric.
🙂 A few years ago before we brought in a bunch of bark I placed landscaped fabric all over the place. It doesn’t keep 100% of the weeds out, but it sure does help! 🙂
Karen says
Thanks for the continuing inspiration!
Mavis says
You’re welcome Karen. I love looking at other peoples garden photo’s too. 🙂
Carol says
Hello Mavis! How is your water bill? Because of the lack of rain here in Ohio, my water (and sewer bill) was pretty darned high this past month. Wondering if the cost of water out-weighs the benefits of our garden.
Melissa says
Hey Carol! Do you reuse your grey water? When you shower (or bathe) you can capture extra water in buckets, and you can repurpose used dishwater. It’s a start!
Carol says
Thanks Melissa ; we do have two rain barrels and for grey water, well we only take showers twice a week – we’re dirty like that! 🙂 It’s only me and the husband in the home now.
Mavis says
I’ll have to look. I don’t water everyday, more like every 2 -3 days. Except in the greenhouse. 🙂
Kate says
This must be the month for reflection… I was jut debating the benefits of growing my own broccoli (very low yield for the square footage… With urban farming you always have to think about that). Also, i turned my back yesterday for TWO SECONDS and little 1.5 yr old managed to yank out at least a half dozen carrots. He was pleased as punch! Mental note, next year double the amount of carrots I plant. Sigh.
Denise says
Steve Solomon wrote a book called Vegetable Gardening West of the Cascades. In it, he talks about “water-wise” gardening — basically rejecting the double-digging methods of planting closely. By spacing plants farther apart, you allow them to get the moisture out of the soil without too much watering on your part.