71. A Garden Fully Planted…
This week is the first week in the gardening season so far that I have felt like I can fully enjoy my garden. At this point, my garden is fully planted. That is truly one of the best feelings every year just knowing that at this point, I just need to watch it grow. Don’t get me wrong though, there is still a lot of work to be done but knowing it’s all in the ground gives me a sense of peace.
First I harvested and fermented all my radishes to make way for sweet potatoes. I have never fermented radishes before but it’s something I wanted to try. They were beginning to go to seed due to the higher temps we’ve been having (still not super hot here but it doesn’t take too many 85 degree days). I will report back on if I actually liked them fermented or not. I love fresh radishes so I have hope that I will enjoy these as well.
Next, I planted all my peppers. I had a lot of issues with my seed started peppers this year and none of them thrived. I’m really not sure what happened there but I will try again next year. Since they all didn’t do well it must have been something I did and not a seed issue. I did go and purchase all transplants this year and I still ended up with a decent variety of things to grow. I have one bed that is all sweet peppers and one that is all hot peppers (mainly to make into seasonings). I will miss getting some of my favorites like my Lesya peppers and getting to try a new one to me this year, Sugar Rush Peach.
For every fail there’s a win, right? Well, my peas are performing great. I have never had year where they have done quite as well as they have this year. I feel like for all my fails with them over the years (or even years where I didn’t get as much as I would have liked), this year has made up for it. First, of all I used a variety that was meant more for high production. Second, I made sure to prep the area well where they would be growing. Third, I have tied them up as they grew. Although they have tendrils that shoot out and grab onto things, I have learned that they tend to not always want to grab onto the things you put in place for them and sometimes they need a little help. I hope that soon I can preserve a good amount of peas that will last us for awhile.
I also have had success with my spring sown beets this year. I always thought I was just never good at growing beets since I had always done them in the fall but turns out they just work better for me in the spring. Honestly, I have noticed that about certain crops that grow more in those “shoulder” seasons. Some things do better in spring (peas, beets, onions) and some do better in fall(carrots, broccoli, kale). It’s odd how that works out but it is also neat to learn these things after you do some trial and error. I plan to pickle all the beets I harvest soon.
Last update this week, we have our first tomato! If you haven’t figured it out by now, I love growing all the tomatoes. I am actually really excited for the varieties I have growing this year and I hope that I get a good crop. Seeing that first tomato come onto the plant makes the hard work I’ve done so far all worth it.
I hope you are getting to enjoy your garden and the nice weather.
Until Next Time, Happy Gardening!