With the rain and cooler temps this past week, our pallet gardens have been growing like crazy!
So far we have harvest 3 heads of endive lettuce.
It’s a little bitter {that’s normal} but it sure is pretty to grow. Kind of artsy if you ask me.
I think I’ll be replacing the endive beds with some Ruby Red Swiss chard once I get it all harvested.
The strawberries are coming along nicely too. We have strawberries growing in 4 places this year. In the greenhouse, along side the house, in a hanging basket and in a wood pallet. So far the strawberries in the greenhouse are doing the best.
Last year I planted strawberries in a vertical pallet and I had it standing up for awhile, but eventually placed it flat on the ground so it would be easier to manage.
The spinach is rockin’ too!
Lucy the lettuce dog taking her job seriously. Sampling is her primary duty.
Have you ever grown your own celery before? Homegrown celery has a totally different taste. We don’t use any chemicals on our vegetables, so I’m guessing that’s why they taste a little different than conventionally grown stuff you get in the stores.
And remember the red speckled lettuce and how I couldn’t figure out what variety it was? Well, it’s actually a romaine lettuce and the variety is called Freckles. If you ever find the seed packet at your local nursery center, grab one. It tastes just like regular Romaine only it’s prettier. 😉
No matter how you do it, gardening is cool!
Have a great weekend everyone.
~Mavis
Want to learn more about wood pallet gardening and how I put mine together? Click on the pallets above and it will take you to my first pallet garden post of the year. You’ll also learn what to look for when choosing a pallet.
Sherle says
I need to grow endive! The bunnies LOVE the stuff. Thursday my bunny, George, got into my raised beds and found the radish leaves to be to his liking. He mowed down a third of my radishes. Can’t help but love him though, he’s just too precious.
Mandy P says
I am pallet gardening this year because of you, Mavis! Our growing season is much later (and shorter) than out there but I am planting seeds in them this weekend! I’m so excited!
Mavis says
Yay! Send me some pictures once they get growing.
Madam Chow says
I have three dogs, and the youngest, Sam, is my gardening companion. Like Lucy, he “helps” me – today, he was walking by a radish transplant and plucked it out to munch on. He is fascinated by my Red Russian kale, which I am growing for the first time and it is flourishing! You have really inspired me, Mavis – I have a tiny yard, and you have inspired me to make the most of it! I am desperately looking for places to transplant seedlings, I am using grow bags, pots, you name it.
Today, I harvested my kale for the first time and we are so excited. My germination rate with the Botanical Interests seeds has been very good – better than some other well known brands.
Mavis says
What are you making with your kale Madam Chow? How do you like the grow bags so far?
Madam Chow says
I am going to saute it with garlic, olive oil, salt, and a bit of red wine vinegar. Then I sprinkle it with a bit of parmesan cheese. My husband loves it this way.
I am using breathable grow bags from Gardener’s Supply and so far, they are working out really well. I keep them off the ground by setting them up on bricks, and the key is either to use some moisture retaining soil in them (like Miracle Gro), or to be very diligent about watering.
Mavis says
Thanks Madam Chow! We have kale to harvest this week and I am going to try your recipe. 🙂 I think I might try one of those grow bags too.
samantha says
I love that romaine lettuce as well! We have half a pallet with that romaine. Good stuff!
Marie says
We have grown celery in the Puget Sound area for years. One trick we use is to cut off both the top and bottom of a 1/2 gallon milk carton or juice carton. Place the ” waxed paper carton tube” about 2″ deep into the soil surrounding the month old celery plant. The plant grows tall and straight towards the light! Remove the carton when the plant has outgrown it’s home and it’s outer stalks will green up without developing an off taste. Try it!
karges77 says
what all can you grow in pallets?
KCB says
Can you use an extra pallet? We have one that came w/Mr. B’s new safe & have no use for it. If you want it, I can leave it by your gate.
Mavis says
Thanks! I would love to have it. 🙂
KCB says
I’ll leave it early Friday morning.
Mavis says
Thank you! 🙂
Bob Aaron says
Question for you…this looks like it would discourage critters from getting at your produce…is that the case? Usually lose about half of my garden to deer and rabbits and would like to try this if it would discourage them from it. (Tried just about everything to keep them out with very little success).