Tuesday, June 21, 2011

"If you tickle the earth with a hoe she laughs with a harvest." - Douglas William Jerrold

It all started back in March.  I was out shopping, and I saw this:


I've never been much of a gardener, and I said to TEN "do you think I could do it?  Do you think it would work?"

We decided it was worth a try.  I followed the directions to a T, and didn't expect much to be honest.



After a week or so, I noticed some sprouts:


I wish I hadn't deleted the pictures of what happened next!  I know I took them, but I can't find where I posted them anywhere :(  Basically, the window in my kitchen over the sink is a breeding ground for seeds.  They grow at about 20x the rate they grow in other places.  Seriously! 

Pretty soon it was time to move the plants from the "growing container", as I'm now calling it, into pots.  Why did I not plant them in the ground?  I don't know.  I guess because I never really expected anything to grow to begin with! 

(roma tomatoes, cilantro, cayenne peppers)

I now have more cilantro than I know what to do with.  My roma tomato plants are almost as tall as I am, and there are flowers all over my pepper plant.  BRING ON THE SALSA!

I think I also told you all about my Topsy Turvy tomato plant growing apparatus? 



What a success that has been!  We've already enjoyed THREE tomatoes from that plant:


And, lookie here at what I noticed this morning:


Since the Salsa Garden and the Tospy Turvy were giving me a run for my money, I decided to actually buy a pack of seeds.  You know, the kind that you purchase at True Value for $1? 


I purchased some cucumbers, some snap peas and also some basil.  We planted the cucumbers in the "growing container" first.  Look what we have on the back patio now!

(yes, i have a monster cucumber plant growing out of a pot.  don't you laugh at me!  i have approximately 11 cucumbers growing on it.  see.  not so crazy after all)

Currently the "growing container" is bursting with snap peas that are ready to be planted in a pot.  I plan to do that this evening, and then it's time to plant the basil seeds!

At the expense of sounding like a complete moron...how did I not realize how simple this process is?  How did I not realize how inexpensive it was to grow your own vegetables?  I feel like such a heel for shelling out so much money for cucumbers and tomatoes and.......SALSA!

In order to assure that I have an endless amount of vegetables moving forward, I've made some adjustments to the back yard:


JUST KIDDING! 

But I have decided that my annual bed (which hasn't had annuals planted in it for 2 years) will be the site of my new garden :)   I want to plant carrots and potatoes and corn there.  You know, those vegetables that probably wouldn't flourish in pots.  Or, would they?  Hmmm....

T

5 comments:

BelleinBows said...

I think it's a good idea that you're going to plant the potatoes in the ground!
This post really has me wanting to grow my own cilantro and tomatoes! Where did you get that Salsa kit from?

Annie said...

OMG I need your secret. I planted flowers when I was supposed to in March and I swear, they grew but no flowers on the stem yet. It's just all boring green.

April of Smidge Of This said...

WOW! I am really so impressed. Those with green thumbs always intrigue me. I'm really trying hard with the new house to get some herbs, flowers & veggies growing ... time to hone this {not-so} green thumb!

Ann said...

You're turning into a regular farm girl aren't you...lol I wish I was better with plants. I want fresh vegies but ours will be a little while longer

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, I seriously object to this. Do you understand what you are doing here? You are creating unrealistic expectations for me. First, you are gorgeous. & a tanned goddess. & a fabulous culinary goddess with your own little cooking club. & you have fabulous tastes, friends, wine and pup. I endured you having your own vineyard vine, but this lady, this is too much. Now you are growing your own veggies? How can I ever pass muster to myself or MB with standards like this? I don't even have a job and I can't do half of what you do.

My gosh, lady, how selfish are you?

(Love you. :) )