Lemon-Drop's Gardening Adventure

[Lemon-Drop]

I like your wagon look. But it seems to be in a lot of direct light which is fine for some plants but vegetables like some shade or they fry too much. Luckily veg is plentiful and cheap in shops because they can be a burden to grow. I prefer cherry trees and blueberry bushes which regrow every year and are very low maintenance.
Strawberries are great too but they like a bit of shade like the left plot is getting. I find it challenging to grow things in full sun, strawberries and fruit bushes/trees are what work for me, veg goes on the shady borders if I can be bothered for a few carrots. I think I will go with growing some sunflower seeds this year, they are easy and sunflower seeds are expensive. I find I need to pay attention to what survives long term at mine, like strawberries in pots are nice but long term they only survive in the ground cause I forget to water them

Thanks, most of the time its shady (aka rain) because of Washington's downcast drizzly weather, but we are getting a odd bit of sun. There are a lot of trees, so they get 8 or so hours of sun, (when it is sunny) and about 4 hours of shade. (Some years where I am, we get 300 days of clouds a year!) If they don't seem to be thriving, I will try and figure out some shade stuff. Good luck with your plants this year!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Have you considered laying a formal path? You don't want to be walking on soil that you want to plant in as it will get compacted. I used hardwood mulch in my garden to "pave" formal pathways. I use straw between rows as mulch and I walk on this but I don't plant between the rows. If I want to plant something there next year or rearrange rows, I till the area to loosen the soil again. a brood fork could also be used if you wish to avoid tilling.

Ok, I will consider this! The garden is pretty small, but I guess I don't want to be walking on the soil if I ever want to plant there. Currently I just avoid the plants. Thanks!

 

[BReeder!]

Ok, I will consider this! The garden is pretty small, but I guess I don't want to be walking on the soil if I ever want to plant there. Currently I just avoid the plants. Thanks!

maybe a 2' wide path down the center just, leaving a horseshoe shape 3' wide all around. think of a "U" shaped garden with the path in the center of one side. This way you can reach everything in the growing areas from the path of from the outside of the bed if necessary. You could also pop a sprinkler right in the middle of the path then to water the bed or wrap soaker hose around the grow area.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Can you make a sketch of what you planted where?
Following along...

I guess I can try...

 

[Lemon-Drop]

That's a lot of work for one day! Keeping raised beds full of soil can be a challenge. Are there any mushroom farms near you? They give away free compost.

Hmmm. Not sure if there are any mushroom farms... would have saved me some money though. I'll look into that next time I need compost.

 

[Sally PB]

Leeks and carrots do well together!

Google "companion planting" and you will find GOBS of info. It's a very old "trick" for gardeners.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Your peas are off to a good start! They will happily climb up the chicken wire fence you have there.

Good job! It looks nice.

Thank you! I was noticing that the peas seem to be thriving!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

As you may know, I have been sprouting cucumber seeds. Here’s a picture. They’re getting quite big!

When should I plant them? I’ve heard at 3 weeks or so. So at this size, how many more days?

Also, I have no clue what this is. It’s on most of the pots.

 

[24Elsinore]

Also being in western Washington, don't feel bad about yourself if your tomatoes don't do well. The summer generally doesn't have enough heat to have them be really productive unless you found a variety that does well where the summers are cooler. Same will go with the cucumbers. I never had any luck. The cool summers should be really good for your root veggies and leafy greens though.

Then again I have heard you've had some hot summers the past few years...

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Carrots need very loose soil to grow into nice straight carrots. Imagine those teeny little roots pushing down and hitting a small rock... then growing off to the side to get around it.

That's why I can't grow very good looking carrots. Also, the tops of the plant are edible too. I've never munched on them... but the chickens like them.

One more thing... water the carrot seeds Every Single Day, gently. If it doesn't rain, go out and mist them until they sprout. They need moist soil to even think about growing. Dumb carrots.

Thanks!