We built a new raised bed in an unused patio area of the backyard, and then filled it with a compost tri mix from a local compost company:
There was extra soil left over so we used it to top up our previously existing garden bed:
Then I waited a few weeks and got to planting peas along the garage in the old garden bed, and planted lettuce, beets, onion starters, and arugula in the raised bed. I also took a risk and planted out 3 tomato plants and put Kozy Koats around them. They survived and are doing great!
Time passed, and suddenly it was this weekend of May 27/28 and time to put everything out for the year as the frost has passed (fingers crossed).
I planted out all the tomatoes and peppers that I grew from seed, and added in some marigolds to keep them company.
Then in the raised bed I planted my herbs out (basil, oregano, parsley), and 2 cucumber plants. not pictured are two watermelon plants that I planted in pots. I broke down and bought these cucumber and watermelons as plants because I got behind on planting from seed and wanted to get some going ASAP. However, at $1.80 per plant, I don't think it will break the bank. Next year I need to remember this and maybe just buy everything as starters.
The previously planted lettuces are starting to grow nicely and you can just see some carrots sprouting to the left of the lettuce.
A view of the entire bed on May 27
The weather did me a huge favor this weekend as well. Saturday morning early I planted out all my peppers and remaining tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, watermelons, and put in more Mesclun mix seed. I was a bit nervous for the peppers and new tomatoes because though I had exposed them to the sun in the past, I was nervous they may not be quite ready to plant out. Then a wonderful thing happened, Saturday turned into a partly cloudy day with patches of sun on and off and a light breeze. Sunday arrived with cloud and rain all day. Now that it's Monday, the rain is supposed to clear off by the end of the day and the sun will be back out by the end of tomorrow. I'm hoping this will have been a perfect stretch of conditions for the peppers and tomatoes to get a little extra hardening off before they get days of full sun. Here's hoping!
I have also planted Strawberry plants (12) and blueberry plants (2). We will see how they do! I'm nervous the two blueberry plants will not have blueberries this year. Even though one has lovely flowers right now, I think it needs to be pollinated by the other plant, which has yet to flower. Perhaps next year they will be good to go.
I planted two cucumbers, and two Minnesota Midget melon seeds into peat pots this weekend and hopefully they catch up and I can plant them in the next couple of weeks! If not, I'll go buy a starter from the store!
