Garden Update - Artichokes and Corn

We have corn!  My mom is here for the weekend, and she pointed out that some corn is ready to pick.  Can't wait to try it!

The Perils of Country Gardening

I knew going in that there would be some loss from the vegetable garden to animals.  While disaapointing I was mentally prepared for it.  This melon was probably nibbled by a chipmunk or the groundhog that lives nearby.

I wasn't prepared for my hostas being eaten by deer, though.  Hostas are my favourite- and all of them in the side garden have had all of their leaves striped. 

The culprit -

Garden Update

Onions and baby carrots (from thinning)

Artichoke

Baby melon

Garden Update

The weeds continue to thrive.  Henry and I were out today to try to put a dent in them.  I have found something that will keep him occupied - I pulled the car around, and he sat in the driver's seat playing quite happily for half an hour.  He loves to "drive".

-corn has tassels
-onions are doing whatever they do
-carrots are thriving (we thinned some and enjoyed some baby carrots)
-there is finally some action in the parsnip row
-the artichoke plants are HUGE
-broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts plants are hanging in there
-pepper plants are taking off
-the few bean plants that came up are making beans!
-flowers on both melon and cucumber plants
-heirloom tomatoes continue to ripen

I'm thrilled by the experience.  Yes, the weeds are frustrating and I spend entirely too much time thinking about them, BUT, I am happy with my garden and every little sprout and every little vegetable that comes from it. 

Dry

It's has been painfully dry, and I'm starting to see the effects outside.  The vegetable garden is fine (aside from monster weeds), as we have the sprinkler on it every evening for a few hours.

In the front garden, though, we are losing previously well-established plants.  Up and down highway 518, trees are turning early, and looking very, very dry.

Just a few days ago, this fern was still lush and green.  I hope it comes back next year...

Even the dandelion greens are flat on the ground.

Black Krim

I just now picked the first tomatoes from the garden.  There are a heirloom variety called Black Krim.  I bought the plant at a local nursery - Little Gardens, in Parry Sound, and yes, they are supposed to look like that.

I am very pleased with the performance of the plants...and am surprised at how early the tomatoes are coming on.  Looking forward to lunch...

Garden Update

I have more weeds than I can handle right now. 

I did learn last night that this has been a problem with this particular plot of land for quite some time.  I have honestly never seen weeds like this.  After being incredibly stressed about it for a few weeks, I have have come to terms with them. 

I will do what I can, and hope that the garden plants take over as best they can.  I can create a mountain of pulled weeds daily, and every time I go out, they have multiplied once more.  It's frustrating and infuriating, and my child won't play on his own for the amount of time needed to deal with the issue, and frankly, I'd rather be playing with him!

In the Garden

HAY THERE

A garden update. 

Just a few progress photos. 

We added some straw between the rows today. 

Garden Update



Finally some carrot sprouts!

Radishes before thinning

Onions

A lonely bean plant

Corn!



Tomatoes



Melon

Look what I found when I thinned the radishes! 

Sprouts

The radishes are up! (and have been for a few days now).

There are also some beans starting, and one lonely corn sprout. 

Things are growing!

The Garden

The garden is (almost) planted!

I am so very lucky to have had my grandparents come out again yesterday to help me plant the rest.  I am being taught by the best.

In the garden we have - carrots, parsnips, radishes, onions, beans, artichoke, dill, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet peppers, corn, cucumbers, melon and of course, peas.  I have one spot left to put in some tomato plants.

Perhaps it's ambitious, but I have the space, so why not?

Learning

With the help of my wonderful grandparents, I now have carrots and parsnips planted.  I also have more knowledge about HOW to go about planting a large garden.  I know now how I've wronged the poor peas.  Live and learn.

The soil is primarily clay, which is challenging to work with.  Hopefully as the years go on, the soil will slowly improve, with the addition of additives such as peat moss and compost.  The garden lay barren all last season, so it's not prime ground for planting right now. 

I am looking forward to more planting next week.