So, it’s been a long time since I have blogged. I am picking it back up as an alternative to posting to FB.
This year, we are in a new house, (new construction) with no landscaping at all. I am one year post- cancer diagnosis (and surgery) and also a year into a global pandemic. I have been dreaming of a vegetable garden like the old days.
So, first I bought a little mini-greenhouse. And a TON of seeds.
Then, I got some stuff to start seeds.
Beauty!! So, then I started thinking and dreaming about my garden. I looked around the property and thought about making these large 4x6 ft garden beds on the west side of my property. Maybe 8 or 9 of them. There was plenty of room and lots of sun. Then I researched the cost of materials. OMG!!! It was going to be upwards of $700 to do what I wanted. Can I justify all of that for the price of good vegetables at the farmers market? Gardening is my therapy, so I can always say it's cheaper than a therapist. But, I really wanted to have a win-win. Really fresh, garden to table food for less than buying it.
So, considering budget, time, strength and capabilities, I starting thinking in other directions. Suddenly, I remembered some wooden crates we had in the garage.
Those had been purchased for another project, which we didn't end up doing. Then I thought, what if I used them for mini-beds? So, I bought some heavy duty landscaping fabric and a staple gun and voila! Mini-beds. I made four today - tomorrow I will finish them.
I used a potting soil made just for container gardens, added vermiculite, worm castings and mixed it all up. This mixture should retain water well and after planting the plants, I will cover the soil with some mulch. Then I found a nice spot next to the fence and some old landscaping timbers that we had just laying around. I put down some cardboard under them to block the weeds.
I am figuring that I can plant two tomatoes, 3 cucumbers or 4 peppers in each one. I can probably start some carrots, radishes, beets and greens right in the beds tomorrow (March 14). I have started some tomatoes, peppers, chilis and flowers in the greenhouse. Stay tuned to see what I can get growing! Can't wait to eat these fresh veggies!
