Friday, April 3, 2015

Planting Seeds and Growing Food


I love vegetables. I love fresh vegetables even more, and I really dislike paying high prices for them. Last year I decided that I was going to grow some at home.  I thought it would be fun for the kids to take part in the process, and also would provide us with some fresh, healthy food (that didn't have to travel to get to us, and wasn't sprayed with things I don't know about). I don't think we really saved any money, but I really liked that it was OURS!


Hubby built me a small garden at the side of our deck (where we get the most sun during the summer) and I planted a few tomato plants, some basil and strawberries.  I discovered that the little critters around LOVE strawberries, and as much as I would love to try them again this year, I am not going to be planting them (I may try them in a hanging planter, but they aren't going in my garden).

We got a late start on the garden, which means that the tomatoes didn't start to grow until mid-August, and were ripening late August to mid-September.  I had MANY that were still green around the time the frost was going to hit, so I did some research and learnt that I could ripen them indoors in a box.

This year, I have decided that I am going to plant tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers.  I know from last years experience that the tomatoes need a lot of growing time, and I discovered that the green peppers do as well.  I have already started to seed them indoors, and will transplant them sometime in May. I was excited to see that after 5 days they had already started sprouting!

I have a basil plant I purchased at the grocery store.  Right now, I have it on the dining room table (it gets great sun there) and I will also add it to the garden when the time comes.

The kids love to help me water the garden, and as soon as anything is ready to be picked they are bickering over who gets to be the collector.

Do you garden? What is your favourite fruit or vegetable to grow?

7 comments:

  1. Sounds like you've taken the first step to the Good Life!

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  2. I have had my own garden for several years now and there is no comparison of fresh garden veggies to the store bought ones! You should try planting beans/peas - they are easy and quick! Radish grow in a small space in no time at all

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    1. we aren't big pea fans - but I might add beans to the list! Thanks for the idea

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  3. I have a kitchen garden. I grow garlic, herbs, tomatoes, cukes, peppers and the list goes on. I also can and preserve my harvest. Looking forward to seeing more of your gardening posts.

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  4. What are you planting this year?

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    1. This year: cherry tomatoes, slicing tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers and green beans. All but the beans have been planted so far

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