Cukes!!

My garden is growing!  I took this picture 2 weeks ago and it's even bigger today!  I'm very disappointed in the arugula, they never had a good chance.  And the peas never sprouted... I'm so bummed about that. 

But... my cucumbers are out of control!  I only have two cucumber plants in the back left side of the garden.  They are taking hold of the tomato plants and now stretches across the whole back side of the garden and into the yard.

The tomato plants are doing well too, but the cucumbers are definitely making their presence well known.  I've already picked 2.  I think they're late compared to my neighbors garden, who has been picking from her garden for a few weeks now.  But I'm okay with that.  This is my first garden after all.  I think next year I'll convert this to a raised garden since most of my soil is clay.  The bags of soil I brought in doesn't seem to help the overall growth.  I've had to use a lot of fertilizer for a few weeks straight just to get a jump start. 

So now I have these cucumbers growing so fast I'm sure I'll have too many very soon!  Of course my 20 month old son loves to help me water the garden.  I thought he'd be just as interested in trying the cucumber after picking one but he still turns his nose at them when I offer him a slice.  Maybe I can offer him a cucumber milk shake that might entice him to love these little green spikey treats. (Did you know cucumbers have little spikes on them?  They must dull after time so when you see them in the market they're not so dramatic when you pick them up.) 

How do you enjoy your cukes?  Sliced, diced, chopped, or pureed in a smoothie?

Dig-a-dig-dig

Approximately 36 inches long, 24 inches wide.  I have a small garden.  And it's mine! 

Grape tomatos, cucumbers, arugula, peas, chives... oh my!  It all fit into that tiny space.  And I'll have to show pics of the final garden soon.  I was too exhausted by the end of the day... and my hands were very dirty.

My husband (love him) does not eat veggies.  Or fruits.  So what I buy is usually eaten by me and the kid.  Although the kid has some days where he's not up to fruits or veggies.  But don't we all? 

I learned early in my relationship with my husband that he is who he is, and yes, I love him for being himself.  Why would I want him to change?  Especially for me? 

But he dug into the greenest part of our lawn.  Instead of tossing all that luscious green grass, we are trying to transplant it to a not-so-green-type-of-hole-in-our-yard... like a band aid. 

The kid tried to help.  But his little arms had a hard time controlling that humungo shovel.  My husbands delivering the good grass to the bad-holey-spot.

He's at the age where he'll help out whenever he can.  In fact, if we ask him not to help, he'll have a melt down.  So we let him help and encourage him with positive feedback.

Who can't resist the reward of a ride in the BIG wheel barrel?

My not so hearty herb garden

I started my herb garden the first weekend of April.  I used potting soil and the special biodegradable pots specifically used for seeds.  I planted cinnamon, basil, oregano, and parsley.  I was excited to get them going and hoped to have something sprouting by the end of the month.

Well the month is almost over and I'm not seeing much progress.  I do water them almost every day and when it's nice out I make sure to set the pots outside so they can soak in the full sun.  I just don't know if there is something else I should be doing with these seeds.  Am I watering them too much?  Or should they be watered morning and night?  Sometimes I wonder if the seeds have floated to the top of the soil because this soil has a hard time absorbing the water. 

The other day I did see a small speckled of green sprout making it's way through the soil.  I was excited!  But that was a week ago.  I haven't seen anything else come up. 

If you look close enough, there is a small green sprout in the middle of this picture

What the heck is going on?  Or do I just need more patience?

Spring is still blooming here

I thought my tullips vanished.  Last year at this time they bloomed with the daffodills.  This year, well... they just bloomed this week.  I honestly thought they dug themselves out and walked away.  HA! 

My mailbox with some spring flowers. 

J is also standing next to my car waiting for me to follow him to the back yard. 

Every night when we go home, he wants to play on his slide.

When we moved into our home on November 13th 2007, we didn't realize we inherited a yard full of sprouting flowers throughout the spring and summer.  It's very pretty but I'm horrified to admit I don't have the best green thumb in the neighborhood.

There used to be a bush behind these flowers.

I have no idea what these purple flowers are called.  Do you?  They run the length of the front of my house, near the edging our a small-flat rock wall.  We recently took out a couple of bushes so I think a lot of the bulbs were shifted around.  It will be interesting to see what survived come July.

J loves flowers and always does nice.  My only concern is these purple flowers attract giant, fluffy bumble bees.  Not the kind that are out to attack you, because you can sit with them and they're only interested in the flowers.  J however may think the bumble bee is something cute and I can already see him trying to pick one up.  Oh the day that happens will not be pretty.

Not a bumble bee... but a piece of the purple flower.

Waste Less Wednesday - with a Triscuit

Happy Wednesday!

I first heard about this idea from Ellen DeGeneres a few weeks ago.  I have been busy trying to grow my own herbs from seeds but have had no luck. 

Triscuit has established a way for you to grow basil or dill by planting their cracker.  You can find the seeds in specially marked boxes of Triscuit.  I haven't been on the search for my Triscuit box but I'm curious to see how many have tried this project.

Their Home Farming site will even help you determine what gardening is appropriate for your home environment.  Their chart has actually given me some hope and patience for my small herb garden. 

If I come across the Triscuit box that has their packet of herbs included, I will make sure to give this method a chance in our home too.