For my area, my last average frost date is April 18th (which is tomorrow), but I'm almost reluctant to do much until around May 1st. I'm saying that waiting will get me, though and I'll be planting up a storm come next week!
My seedlings are all coming along nicely, except for the fact that about 20 of them were eaten by a crazy critter in my greenhouse! Oh man was I livid! My edible chrysanthemums, that were getting really big--they are no more. I seriously wanted to cry, but I didn't. In addition to those 6 plants, Mr. Mean Mouse got a couple of my Golden Cal Peppers, some Giant Cockscomb, Aster, Nasturtium, and he ate some seeds.
This is going to sound ridiculous, but we moved everything inside and set up a trap to catch him. I've been terrified to go out there for about a week now--and I miss it! Thankfully we caught him, but now I have to figure out where he was coming in so that I can avoid this.
In the garden my onions are thriving, as well as my lettuces (Arugula, Black Seeded Simpson, and Cimmaron), strawberries and potatoes! My spinach has barely started to come up, and I've started to worry about my cauliflower and broccoli. I've not seen anything!
We also finally got around to planting our fruit trees and one of our blueberry bushes. We should actually get a small harvest off of our blueberries this year, and I'm anxious. Even a small harvest will save me off of my grocery bill.
In the next few weeks, I will be finishing up the garden beds and get ready to be busy as ever planting away. The carrots must go in (I'm late, but the wind has just been atrocious!), then the tomatoes, green beans, cabbage...and many others!
I can't help but wonder everytime I'm messing around with my garden, just how much this work will end up saving me in the long run. It never fails to amaze me how one seed can produce food for my family to eat--at a very minimal cost. I look forward to our savings!
How are your garden plans coming along?
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This will be the first year I've planted a veggie garden; it's getting tilled on Monday and then starts the project =)
Well we can't plant here until after Memorial Day. Last year we did container gardens, which didn't go too well mainly because it was a rainy summer. This year we are doing 3- 3' x 5' raised beds. I don't usually start too much from seed, lots of reasons, but we have a local high school that sells plants very inexpensively and it goes to their special education program so I get most of my plants from there!
I am doing a gardening series on my blog right now called How Does Your Garden Grow. I am having fun writing about it, since I haven't been able to start anything yet! The snow just finally finished melting this week!
mice supposedly hate the smell of peppermint. We had mice trouble at our house in rogersville, so I put pure peppermint extract throughout the pantry and it seemed to work. you can find it in the baking section.
I would not have gone out there either unless I knew that mouse was gone. :) Unfortunately, our 2 neighbors let their cats run loose. At least we don't have to worry about mice, thanks to the wandering cats.
Oh no I hate to hear that a mouse got some of your green house garden, thats horrible. Sneaky little critter.
Our garden is all planted and doing well, but we are having a huge storm right now in Texas, not cold but lots of rain, thunderstorms and possible hail. So all depending it could really damage our growth.
I haven't done anything in my garden yet this year. I'm nad, I know. At least hubby did get in there last week and got all the weeks and old dead growth cleaned out.
I'm planning on getting some tomato plants to plant this weekend. I grew tomatoes last year, and I want to grow them again this year and maybe something else too. I just haven't made up my mind yet what else.
We're adding more beds for my gardening pleasure tomorrow! Your greenhouse is so great! Someday I may have one of those! Happy planting! I get to plant peas and maybe some spinach next week.
I love your blog and I'm sorry to hear that a mouse was in your (green) house. I tried to start my own plants this year and I was successful at growing mold. I guess that I will never be frugal in every aspect of my life.
Oh Phoebe, I haven't been by your blog in SO long. I feel like such a horrible bloggy friend. I am so fascinated by gardens, and I want to plant one myself. It looks like my gardening dreams will be put on hold until next year though. The vegetables that you planted sound really nice, and I can't wait to see pictures of your garden as it progresses. It has always amazed me how a seed can sprout into a plant, and then into food for a family.
Please keep us updated.
Take care!
Our last average frost was March 15... and we've had 3 frosts since then! : ( You're doing good to wait just in case! I lost about 20 seedlings or more and one full planter of lettuce to a mysterious digging critter. We covered all the pots with a baby gate & lawn chairs, set a trap, and caught a raccoon!
Phoebe..I'm sorry you got a mouse atatck, but I am jealous that you've been able to get some things in the ground. We're still a few weeks away yet here! I'm very impatient.
Here's to hoping the critters stay away.
I had a small veggie garden last year and I wanted to expand this year. So I started everthing including flowers from seeds....or at least am trying. I put everything in my sunroom, however I'm not sure it actually gets enough sun throughout the day. Hasn't been warm enough to put out during the day. I'm getting frustrated. I was hoping to save lots of $$$$ this way. Still keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck with your garden.
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