<p>This past weekend it had finally been dry long enough to till our new veggie garden. I still need to purchase some more cow manure/compost mix and get that mixed into the soil, but it’s supposed to rain again all week. We can’t do much with our clay type soil unless it’s dry. We’ve never planted a veggie garden at this house because I suspect the animals (deer, racoons, skunks, rabbits, foxes, etc.) will eat it all, but we really miss having fresh veggies and herbs out the backdoor. We’ll try. </p>
<p>As soon as the bed is ready we plan to plant potatoes (really a bit late for that in this area), carrots, beans, cukes, squash, tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of herbs. We should be pretty safe from frost within the next week. I’ll surround the garden with marigolds as they seem to provide protection from a number of pests. </p>
<p>Years ago I bought a book called “Carrots love tomatoes.” It’s very helpful for organic gardeners. Lots of information on what to plant near each other to help growth and prevent pests, ie. radishes near cucumbers to prevent beetles. </p>
<p>I’ve used numerous gardensalive products in the past. They work very well. The one product that didn’t seem to work for me was the red plastic for tomatoes. I just ordered some nematodes that I’ll spray in the garden bed. I’ve used them successfully in the past. Make sure you use the coupon for $25 off a $50 order. </p>
<p>We have several species of fruit and nut trees/shrubs on our property, but don’t use them. The birds often get the blackberries before we do. A few years ago DS and I collected basketfuls of hickories and walnuts from our trees. Opening and getting the edible portion of the nut out was pretty difficult so now we just leave them for the wildlife. I’m not a fan of persimmons so those remain for the deer and racoons.</p>
<p>Three weeks ago I planted cilantro, parsley, oregano and rosemary in pots on my patio. I also planted a tomatillo and a jalepeno pepper. Those are all close to the house. I have already used some of the cilantro and rosemary.
With some help from my H I emptied out two raised beds and redid the wire. The gophers won the garden battle last year. The beds are about 10 yrs old and the old wire had rotted out. It was hard work. Planted some white corn and 6 different types of tomatoes. All of the above I started from plants bought at two local nurseries. I also planted some beets from seed. The beets are just sprouting. It has been 2 weeks and everything is still alive. The 2 strawberry plants I planted don’t look like they are going to survive.
My apricot tree is heavy with fruit. The plum tree has lots of leaves and some blossoms. The tree that looked half dead I took the advice of someone on one of the previous garden threads and cut off the dead side. The other side looks good with numerous tiny fuzzy peaches beginning to grow. We will see how they taste.
My mexican lime trees are heavy with fruit. After 20 yrs I finally learned how to make good limeade. The kids are very happy.
My one sole remaining avocado tree looks like it will be a decent year if we can get the fruit before the dogs. (We once had a nice size avocado orchard that was lost due to root rot)
I still have two raised beds full of weeds. They need to be emptied and rewired as well. I don’t know if it will happen. I would love to try to grow some giant pumpkins.
We are on the central coast of Ca. with temperate climate. My main problem with growing most fruits and summer vegetables is the fog. I often don’t get enough sunshine during the summer months. I finally figured out that smaller and midsized tomatoes do best in the coastal fog. I no longer plant big tomatoes or cucumbers.</p>
<p>I took out all my sod a couple years ago. as it wasn’t really grass anymore but plantain, dandelions and clover.
Last year I planted the front- but I couldn’t decide what to do with the back as we had a big pile of crappy dirt left over from when H dug out a shed next to the detached garage.
I’ve planted mostly natives- and left room for a smallish vegetable garden ( but have left the lettuces in hanging baskets- that’ll teach the slugs!</p>
<p>I have planted native hazelnuts and a korean stone pine- everything is still pretty small- but I know it will grow up fast and I can use the hazelnut shells to make paths.</p>
<p>Lake Washington- it wasn’t that bad- ripping out the blackberries is very satisfying & it was a gorgeous day. I wish I had thought more about what we were going to be doing, cause I wore thin synthetic clothes & thorns are very sharp, but at least I had boots, some of the college students wore sandals and tank tops. ouch!</p>
<p>EK, that’s a brilliant solution!!! I discovered that my veggies were not bothered by slugs when we spread fresh beauty bark around the raised beds. Last year, the bark deteriorated, and slugs started to creep in. :(</p>
<p>I have a new yard this year. I went crazy and planted 24 rose bushes, a few blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, peonies, lily of the valley,–going to plant some beans and peas when it gets warmer. Rabbits are bad here, though, so wish me luck.</p>
<p>Kitty, when I was a kid I wondered why God attached sharp thorns to such a sweet treat like blackberries. I guess there’s a lesson in there somewhere. Maybe it’s the old Saint Thomas Aquinas thing; ‘that which is forbidden is most sweet…’ LOL.</p>
<p>Atomom, I’ve got your solution; rabbit stew. Tastes just like chicken.</p>