Do not leave unattended...

That's the sign that should be posted on me as soon as I enter a garden center. Yesterday, with a little time on my hands I popped into one of my favorite local shops. Nearly an hour later, I emerged with several unplanned purchases. I bought some broccoli plants, beet and lettuce seeds as planned. However, I couldn't resist not one, but 2 cilantro plants, cauliflower and brussel sprouts, which I've never grown before. I also bought basil and lavender. This doesn't sound too bad, but I had very little actual room left in the garden. Now I have less than none. I couldn't find a place for the lavender, so it's going into a container. The beets I planted in any area I could find to squeeze in a few. The lettuce I used to "mulch" around the tomatoes.
Speaking of the tomatoes, I think a few are sick. I picked off several spotted, nasty looking leaves today. After doing a little research, it's possible that they have a fungus. I've never dealt with a fungus before, so I may have to go to a garden center for some advice. I'll have to wait until DH can chaperon me, because obviously I can't be trusted. My "Speckled Roman" isn't looking too good. Kind of droopy. I really hope they all perk up. I'm counting on lots of tomatoes this year.

peas, lettuce, spinach and radishes
a radish peeking out

Today the rapini and green beans are both poking through!! There are visible radishes, as you can see. I did another little thinning of spinach today. This will probably be the last time. I'll let the rest go for a while. I have a few broccoli that look like they might actually make it. I'm still going to buy a few more plants. We love fresh broccoli. DS will eat it right out of the garden. I forgot to get pics of the squash and cucs. The cucs look great. The squash, not so good. Luckily, summer squash is always easy to come by if mine don't take.
Due to our regrading around the house, the soil where the squash and cucs are planted is very compact below the first few inches. I really needed to add more topsoil, but I'd already spent so much on dirt, I couldn't buy more.
As you can see in some of the pics, I have a lame string "fence" around the garden. This is because when we first put the garden in, our dog,Riley, liked to hang out there. I couldn't convince her to stay out. The "fence" helped a little although I did spot a few paw prints in there the other day. I don't want to put a real fence around it because it will look bad and be a pain to work around. I'm hoping that once the garden has filled in a bit she will stay out and then I can take the string down. My next option is a few mouse traps, but I'm going to wait a bit.

A bit of spinach

We had the first taste of fresh spinach today. I did a little thinning out of the plants. It was yummy. I'd forgotten how much I really like spinach when it's fresh. I added it to our scrambled eggs this morning along with a snipping of chives. Cappuccino, my bunny, enjoyed the stems so none of it was wasted.
The garden is looking good. The second planting of radishes is starting to come up. Haven't seen any sign of the beans or rapini yet, though.
Now that June is approaching, I'm going to start checking out the U-pick places. I'm pretty sure strawberries start in a few weeks. Unlike blueberries, I don't like strawberries frozen. This means that when we pick I need to be ready to make jam.

I didn't make it

Well, once again, I have planted the rest of my garden before Memorial Day. I checked the weather, Farmers Almanac, and the Ohio Extension. They all said it was ok to plant after May 20th, which it is. This week the temps are staying in the upper 70's to mid 80's. More importantly, it's staying above 55 at night. I will supply pics soon. I still have a little more room, so I'm going to pick up some beets and onions as previously mentioned.
So, now the countdown 'til my first tomato. I can't wait. It looks as though I'll be getting some lettuce and spinach in the next week or so. I could pick baby spinach now, but I'm going to wait another couple days. I've been thinning DS radishes each day and giving the tops to a very happy bunny. (my Cappuccino) She appreciates that he planted the seeds too close together.

oooppps, I did it again

"I tried to stop her, Sir!! She wouldn't listen!!!"(Sebastian, "The Little Mermaid")
Well, I didn't quite make it until Memorial Day. I tried I really did, sort of, well not really. In my defense, I checked the Almanac and it said it was OK. And I only planted beans, rapini, broccoli and more radishes(per DS request) Oh, and the leeks, but I don't think they are going to make it. They're too scrawny as are the broccoli. I think this is why I don't start seeds. I suck at it.
So, I have tomatoes, peppers, squash,cucs and watermelon for next week. I'm going to pick up some beet seeds, more lettuce seeds and some onion sets. Then I think I'll be all set.

Plant Sale Day!!!!

plants I purchase today
seedlings
garden today

YEAH!!! I have my plants. I was so excited that we ended up there early. However, much to my surprise, it was packed already. I know now that when it comes to plant sales, there is no "too early". Still, I got all the varieties that I wanted(and some I hadn't planned on). Mostly heirloom tomatoes and peppers. I also got a small pack of lettuce since mine is taking it's good ol' time getting big enough to eat. I may actually go back tomorrow because DH reminded me how much he and the kids loved a variety of cherry tomatoes that we got from the CSA last year. For $2.50, I think it's worth it. Hopefully I can fit another trip into my schedule tomorrow.

So far, the garden is doing well. Some of my seedlings aren't doing as well as I'd hoped. Since I broke my lamp, they may not be getting enough light. There is the distinct possibility that I will be buying broccoli plants in the near future. Also, two of my squash haven't come up at all. I'm going to try again today, but that doesn't give them much time before planting. I may also add in some cabbage, but I'm still debating.

I purchased 2 "mystery plants" from the sale today. These are ones that didn't get labeled, so they were unsure what exactly they were. I got one tomato and one pepper. I can't wait to see what they end up being. Stay tuned for this exciting news. We should all know in a month or so.

So, here's what I purchase today:

Tomatoes:

mystery, Brandywine, San Marzano, Speckled Roman

Peppers:

mystery, jalapeno, habanero, Orange Bell, Quadrato di Asti Giallo(Yellow bell)

Mixed lettuce

Next week I plan on planting. The weather is supposed to get warm again. Today it's in the 60's. I'm going to try and wait until Memorial Day, but I usually give in before then. I may start my beans this week, but I need to read the description again first. Oh, and check my "bible" for proper planting time.

Sunburn and sore muscles

We got the regrading done this weekend. It was the hardest work I have ever done. We had to lug 2.5 yards of dirt(clay) up the hill and pile it around the house. DH had the job of manning the tamper. After a few hours, I realized we'd never make it and called in reinforcements. My dad and brother came and within 2 hours it was done. It took a total of six grueling hours!! I also added in a new strip of ground cover where there had been just grass. I also separated the hostas and spread them out a bit.
Now to the important info. The peas seem to have survived their uprooting and replanting. I won't know for sure for a few more days, but they look OK. My next concern is that we put down about 6 inches of tamped down clay under the bed where they are planted. I'm not sure they will have enough soil to develop a good root system. Only time will tell. If they do make it, we are going to have a ton of peas!! I planted a lot.
Still haven't been baking. Hopefully next week. I think once my arms have rested from yesterday, I'm going to make bagels again. I'm hooked!!

Not a whole lot happening

I have now started squash(3 kinds) and more broccoli(don't ask me why) inside. I did another planting of lettuce seeds in the garden. My ds is planting radishes today. Those are his thing. He loves them and has chosen two varieties this year. The spinach is up as is my first planting of lettuce. I also have a plethora of peas!! Unfortunately, due to a mild water issue in our basement, we have to regrade around the house. This includes where the peas are planted. My plan is to carefully dig them up, do the work and then replant them. We'll see if this works. If not, I think I have time to do another planting. I know I have plenty of seeds.
Two more weeks until the plant sale where I'll purchase the rest of my plants. I'm so excited to get started!! Although, I will resist the urge to plant before Labor Day.
On the baking front... I haven't been. I have run out of flour and been busy with the kids' school. We have suffered through 2 loaves of store bought bread. Blech!! Hopefully now that school is almost done, I can get back to baking.