how's it growing...

 
Late last week, Alan reminded me that we had some small raised garden bed forms in the barn that weren't being used. On Sunday, we pulled them out of the barn, gathered up dirt from the back side of the barn (I supplemented with bagged soil), and I got started on putting the beds in place near the chicken coop. I'm out at the chicken coop every day to tend to the chickens, so it's a logical place for the veggies to be. The hose is there, and I can keep an eye on things fairly regularly.

 
It might be a bit late for starting things from seed now, but I thought it was worth a try. Everything I planted listed this month as one of the planting months for our zone, so I thought I would take my chances. If it looks like it's getting too hot for any new seedlings, I can always put some shade cloth over the beds to help keep harsh sunlight off of the plants. The stakes at each corner of the beds are in place to hold the bird netting I wrapped the beds with. Not for deer, but to help keep out the chickens, the dogs (Mister Farley almost took a short cut through bed #3 today), and to discourage the farm cats from lounging (or otherwise) in the beds. One bed is various types of corn and a cucumber or two, another bed is two different kinds of beans, and the third bed has squash and cucumbers. Oh, and I think they all got a few mammoth sunflowers planted randomly for fun. I'll let you know how things progress.

I'm really amazed at how well the veggies are doing in the apple picking baskets, instead of in a formal "in ground" garden. In fact, tonight for dinner we had our first farm raised zucchini for the year (the one on the right in the above photo)! And, let me tell you, it was delicious! The zucchini on the left will be ready in a day or two, and there are more on the other two plants.

 
The first tomatoes I planted are doing GREAT! They're nice and tall (about 4'), and have a fair number of tomatoes. I think I will snip the tops of them soon, to encourage the plants to put on more tomatoes instead of continuing to grow taller.

 
I planted this little yellow pear tomato last week. Nice and healthy now, I hope it continues to grow and give us gobs and GOBS of delicious pear tomatoes! This weekend it will get a "cage", to help it stay upright as it grows tall.

 
The flowers around the chicken coop and veggie baskets are blooming nicely. Rudbeckia is one of my favorites. I love their pretty yellow faces. I ordered some pumpkin seeds tonight, and look forward to planting some pumpkins on the backside of the raised beds. I grew pumpkins once when I lived in Oregon, and it was great fun!

 
I was visited by two female black swallowtail butterflies while I worked. They were enjoying the newly placed damp soil.

 
When they weren't on the soil, they were flying around the veggie plants and the tall grasses at the back of the yard.

 
They're the reason I went in the house to get the camera. I didn't think they'd still be around by the time I got back outside, but they were and they hung around the entire day.

 
I imagine I could have finished things up a little more quickly if I hadn't spent so much time watching them. They were having a great time! It was also a good excuse to sit for a spell... since the temperature was pushing 100, I needed lots of breaks.

Over all, it was a very productive weekend. Cross your fingers all that work pays off in corn, beans, and squash! *grin*

Comments

Love your garden. Using hose to water them. What a delightful images, thanks for posting those.

Angelo H

[Zari]

Seeing your pics of the zucchini made me think of something my boyfriends sister made us last year so I thought I'd mention it. Fried squash/zucchini blossoms. There are many different ways to enjoy them but those are looking just right for eating. Google to check out some awesome recipes and enjoy!~

[rose kerry]

Your garden looks so healthy and the photos are beautiful. I love to see food grow and can only imagine how much better it tastes right off the vine. I can't believe your got those butterflies to pose for you, they are very cute!

[Sharli]

Anna, Your photos are just delightful! I love your butterflies! Thanks for bringing this joy to my life.

[diane mcvey]

Yum! I'm envious of your beautiful veggies! That is going to be so good; and I'm sure that zucchini was delish! MMmmmmmmmm....love them sauteed with butter and garlic!
Now, how do you know that those are female butterflies? That is something I have never tried~~sexing butterflies! I am curious that you have that knowledge! Amazing! :D
Your tomatoes are HUGE, and coming along nicely! With the hot temps you are having it won't be long until there are LOTS of yummy garden treats to feast on!!! :-)

[Kellie]

don't be surprised if I show up @ your door one of these days...i just love seeing your pics of the farm life..still hoping for those chickens here..lol...
How far down do you pinch your tomato plants? I always tear a few stems off from the bottom so they're not touching the soil..just in case of a disease,etc..but never heard of pinching from the top..ours have been in the ground since a week before Mem. day..think I could pinch some?

[Michelle]

Love the butterfly pics! And your gardens are doing so well!! Sheesh we just finally got our plants in last weekend! I don't know when you would have the time....but do you can at all??

[Kimberly O'Rosky]

I love the idea of using the apple baskets to plant things in. Gonna have to remember that. Your zucchini look fantastic. We planted some mammoth sunflowers in the back of our herb garden the past few years and they have always done extremely well in the heat!

[Holly aka Toy]

Goodness! I want to be there at harvest time :) There is NOTHING more satisfying than eating fresh veggies from your own garden! Brings me back to the days when my granddaddy dug up his entire yard and planted a garden. We were snapping green beans for days! :) YUM!!

[Shellie Daniel]

Beautiful photos! I can't believe how hot it is there already!

[Kathy]

You are the real life Farmville girl! LOL. Love the pictures. Good luck with the gardens.

[Troy Louise]

Great looking gardens! You're going to have some yummy stuff this summer & fall. Your butterfly friends are so pretty - what great photos.

[Jennifer K.]

I love your garden pictures! I just planted a baby pumpkin plant for our little pumpkin. I hope it grows!

[Renee]

I had to laugh about your cat comment. Our cats always "otherwise" in our flowerbeds or front-porch flowerbox, ha ha! And our dogs (choc lab & a yellow lab mix)just tromp thru anything and everything. I really enjoy reading your blog--thanks for sharing!

[Bev J.]

Love your 'containable' garden. Things look so healthy. I have tomatoes and also some volunteer cantaloupe plants I am letting grow to see how they do-they are sure going to take up a lot of space in my little garden. I was going to do zucchini for relish but a friend said she was growing me some-great friend. My sister said she would have plenty of green peppers for the relish so it will be a joint effort!

[Carol Dee]

I do envy your longer growing season. But not the heat! Yikes. It will be cool and rainy here today. Do I see lavender in the flower photo? I plan to try it again. Are the baskets lined with anything or just pour in the soil? Love the butterfly photos. Little buggers never sit in one place long enough for me to get a photo. :) Hugs...

[SueB]

Gorgeous photos, especially love the ones of the butterflies.

[Susan G]

Good luck with your new gardens. It may be a little late, but seeds aren't very expensive and you have the water handy. I'm just down the road a piece from you--yeah, I'm a native Texan--and I'm about to run out of room in the crisper for squash. My neighbor doesn't want to see me coming anymore! I picked a bowl of cukes today, and we've had tomatoes and peppers for about 2 weeks. The greens and radishes are already gone. Those homegrown veggies are just sooooo good!

[Sue]

WOW! Those butterflys are like the super models of the butterfly world!! Those are long legs!! Great photos as always!!!