I cannot believe it is almost June. Holy smokes. Where did the time go? Some years it seems like it takes forever before it’s time to harvest anything, but this year, every time I walk out to the garden there is some new vegetable begging for attention. I’m not sure if I just need a really long nap, to add more hours to the day, or to hire a ranch hand, but I can barely keep up.
Have I mentioned I cannot wait for school to let out?
Free child labor… I need you!
Well I finally decided it was time to plant the tomatoes outside. So far, I have 80 tomato plants in the garden boxes. And as soon as I can figure out what to do with the Rainbow Swiss Chard, I’ll plant another 10 more. Then next week there will be spinach to deal with, and another 10 more tomato plants to set out. As for the remaining 20 {for a total of 120} I have a few {okay 14} tomato plants growing in the greenhouse, and I still have a few more containers to plant as well.
Of course I haven’t figured out what the heck I’m going to do with the tomatoes once they start rolling in, but that’s besides the point. Right?
Flying by the seat of my pants is a good thing . I think.
Spinach and MORE chard. Please, someone have me committed now before I plant more.
It’s really hard to tell from this picture. But this years cabbage is freakin’ huge. Freakin’ with a capital F.
The broccoli too. Although I see no sign of actual broccoli yet.
Bring it on Mother Nature. Bring it on!
Karinna says
Mavis,
I just love seeing your updates. Love, love, LOVE!
I went to my garden yesterday and noticed one (lame) of my broccoli plants had an itty bitty, tinsy wintsy head. I pet it just to make sure it was real. Lol.
I think I want to do more carrots. Mine are looking quite cute. Do you think it’s too late to sow more carrots? Also, this will be my first year doing green beans and peas. Am I too late to lay down some seeds?
Looking forward to seeing those tomatoes. I foresee a canning party 🙂
Happy gardening.
Amy says
We live in Port Orchard and if you find yourself overwhelmed with tomatoes would be willing to barter with you for some potentially 😉
Mary Ann says
Your garden is so beautiful! I love seeing the updates.
My one green pepper should be ready to harvest in the next week (when I decide it’s time to make fajitas). There are more flowers on the plants, too.
The cucumbers have a ton of flowers and tiny little cukes, but while watering the other day I noticed 2 that are about 6 inches long now and should be ready to harvest in a few days!
Lots of green tomatoes on the plants now — the biggest about 2-1/2 inches in diameter.
And the green beans are starting to get flowers!
Always exciting watching things grow!!!
Mavis says
Thanks Mary Ann
Crystal says
Do you just do a single harvest of the swiss chard and the spinach, then pull up all the plants to plant tomatoes instead? It seems like a bit of a waste to me, when both plants will continue to provide you with fresh greens all summer and well into the fall- the swiss chard may even provide greens all winter long if the winter is mild (this past year, for example).
Andrea says
Nice!! We just have a small garden right now but I cannot wait to buy our own house and be able to make some more permanent boxes and beds.
Jamie says
Won’t you just clip off your swiss chard and let it keep making more throughout the summer? The good news is a really big bowl of swiss chard cooks up to look like nothing : ) Try it as a side dish in olive oil, salt and chick peas.
Mavis says
I have my summer stash growing in another garden box. This set was a spring crop. 🙂
Angela Kruger says
Mavis help where to you get your soil I am having nothing but problems with the 4way I purchased the last 2 yrs from 2 different places. you can mail me privately if you want. I live in the auburn area but I am willing to travel to have soil that will produce like yours. Are you ammending it or using a specific fertilizer?
Mavis says
I use regular topsoil plus Tagro from the city of Tacoma {they deliver} at about a 50/50 ratio. 🙂
Heidi says
I’m so happy to have found your blog! You are living the life I wish I could! I’ve got a couple raised beds, but bad soil, contaminated by walnut and oak trees and too much shade and hilly conditions to grow anywhere else. I am trying some container gardening and doing what I can and living my dream through you! : ) Keep up the amazing gardening and inpiring life.
Meghan says
I’m so jealous of your tomato plants! You can send some of the tomatoes up here to me in Alaska. It’s just too cool and wet to have productive tomato plants up here. It breaks my heart because I love nothing more than fresh tomatoes off the vine!
Mavis says
That stinks! I would thing with your long daylight hours in the summer you would be able to grow them. 🙁
CathyB says
Meghan – I’m in Alaska too and can commiserate with you on growing tomatoes! Just moved here last year and prior to that the hubby grew TONS of tomatoes. I think we may just have to invest in a greenhouse to get the heat that is needed. No problem with the amount of sunlight, but too short of a season and not enough heat!
Paulina says
Mavis, chard is fabulous in green smoothies! (as is any other type of green, really). My six year old just loves green smoothies.
Angela Kruger says
These are our recommendation for using fennel and cauliflower
http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/pcc/recipes/emerald-city-salad – my sis and I crave this salad and always pick it up for picnic when we get together
http://recipesbyglenda.com/vegetables/cauliflower.htm- I havent tried this yet but it is on my menu for the week
Our family favorite for cauliflower- sounds gross but everyone loves it
Break cauliflower into pieces lay on baking sheet toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in a 400 degree oven until brown and crispy edges begin to appear, about 20min. Turn after 10 min
In small bowl combine 1/2 c mayo (we use olive oil mayo) 2 tbsp mustard and mix till combined, spread over cauliflower and sprinkle with sharp cheddar cheese. return to oven to melt cheese.
Good luck
Angela Kruger says
oops sorry mavis put this on wrong post 🙁
sesame street says
I’m having the same issues with my broccoli! So glad to have the space for a garden this year! But my tomato plants that I started from seed back in February aren’t anything like yours! Spinach is going crazy though! By the by, I had my baby last week. My 3rd boy! Just wanted to let you know since you were one of the first people that knew.
Mavis says
Wahooo! Congratulations! Eat your spinach and get some sleep. You are going to need it with 3 boys.