These days about the only thing that I’m not an amateur at is eating and exercising, everything else is new territory. In fact, I’ve been trying to learn about so many new things lately that it is not uncommon for the mass confusion of new information swimming in my head to become evident in my actions. Between baking, writing and photography, you might find me trying to figure out how to set the aperture and ISO on my oven, or I could be halfway through writing before I realize I don’t need to structure an email to my husband like a query letter.
One of these new activities I’ve taken on is gardening. We had a small garden at our last house and I can handle herbs, but the main reason we moved out of town a bit to our new house was to have more land to grow food. Note to self — big garden is quite the undertaking.
Last weekend was full of outdoor frenzy as my parents came to visit and help put in the garden. My Dad’s truck was loaded with everything from plants, to a tiller, to tomato cages. This proved terribly embarrassing for my Mom who was a bit worried they would run into someone they knew during their 4 hour drive, Beverly Hillbillies-style.
We’ve planted blackberries and raspberries in the back of our yard. I’ve also got some herbs going up near the house. In addition, there are some new trees around and the beautiful flower we got as a housewarming gift.
So far this is what we have planted:
Carrots, Asparagus, Potatoes (red and white), Tomatoes (Early Girl, Roma, Beef Master and Orange and Red Cherry), Green Beans, Cucumbers, Zucchini (Yellow and Green), Corn, Onions (Red and White), Spinach, Lettuce, Arugula, Bell Peppers (Orange and Yellow), Jalapenos, Banana Peppers, Anaheim Peppers, Strawberries, Kale, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Cilantro, Parsley, Dill, Mint. Later will come pumpkins, butternut squash, melons, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
Whew! Bring on the produce!
What will I master next? Well, canning of course.
PS. Links will be back next weekend!
That garden is huge! I’m *jealous*. I’d grow lots of sprawling things like pumpkins (pureed pumpkin freezes great!), gourds, and squash with all that room. (I’ve got the seeds but only a small garden!)
Congrats and good luck!
That is a great garden!! I hope it yields a bountiful harvest 🙂
I would love to start a garden like this. It sounds like it is going to come along nicely!
How awesome! I love your little gate. Do you have to worry about deer or other animals? My biggest worry are rabbits.
I’m right there with you for canning. I’m having my mom give me some lessons. Let me know if you want to join in. 🙂
I decided to plant a large amount of planter boxes with veggie this year on the upper veranda due to the wildlife who eat everything! Your garden looks amazing and I love the fence!
What a decent list of produce, Lori! It is definitely a luxury to us where our living area are priced at thousands and even ten thousands per square foot.
So you are going to exercise more?! Happy gardening : ).
Oh Lori, I’m so jealous right now,that you should pant some chilies (Brazilian solution to jealousy) LOL.
But I’m happy for you, a food garden is the dream of all food bloggers. At least that’s what I think,I know it’s mine. I can’t wait to see all the yummy goodies you are going to produce with it.
Very envious of you garden (not the working it it of course–just all the fresh fruits and veggies you will have!) 😉
Your garden sounds like it’s going to be amazing! If you ever need to get rid of the produce, I have a fridge that desperately needs to be stocked! I can’t wait to read about your gardening adventures, they are sure to be fun.
Wow! That is a massive garden! So cool. We’re taking on our first real garden here as well too! I can’t wait for fresh produce (if it actually grows ;). We’re doing tomatoes, squash, jalapeno peppers and maybe some strawberries. Keep us up to date with pictures!
I’m totally hiring your dad to come to my house and help me work out my little bit of back yard. 😉 That looks amazing! You guys are going to have such an awesome haul this year!
Wow, you have so much planted! You are going to love canning. There is something so satisfying about having that stash of your own stuff. By the way I highly recommend getting a gardening book for your area. We got one that is Minnesota month by month & it has been so helpful
what an undertaking! i can’t even imagine.
Oh my gosh, that garden makes me tired just to look at it! I can’t wait to see what you end up with. I guess I should get out and weed my 3×3 plot in my back yard now!
I am sooooo jealous! We garden what we can given our yard and climate (which is not at all suited to gardening). It’s so rewarding to eat what you grow – not to mention that it just tastes better! I’m not big on canning, so we freeze everything that we don’t eat.
Can’t wait to read about your progress! Now you just need a compost bin! 🙂
Wow, congrats on having the garden up and ready – cannot wait to see what you do with the resulting harvest.
Your garden is gi-normous! My husband converted an old sandbox into a raised one but it’s a fraction of the size of yours. After more than a dozen years as apartment dwellers, we were super gung-ho about planting a garden during our first year in our new home. It was quite successful but I have to admit that I’m not adept at it. I’m good with herbs so that’s pretty much it for this year – I’ll just content myself with seeing your garden’s bounty!