We decided to add another row of containers because i) we have the space, ii) we had spare containers and iii) the more tomatoes the better right? So we now have three rows and a total of 27 containers. We even got the styrofoam for under the containers for free - plucked out of a neighbours garbage on the way home one evening.
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| Buckets looking very empty |
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| 1 Month later (June 12) |
I planted the seedlings early this year because of a trip to the UK & Iceland. Although some were small, I was concerned that there might not be enough time to harden them off once we returned (May 28). As a result, I lost a few seedlings - some Orange Sunshine, Roma, Kalinka and ALL the New Girls :-( . No worries, will try the New Girls next year. I'm not sure if they died or birds yanked them out. Our neighbour told us that a hawk grabbed a baby racoon and held it hostage on our roof for a few days - interestingly, there was no sign of carnage.
On the upside, I was very successful in starting from seeds (indoors tomatoes and sweet red peppers) so much so I passed along extras to neighbours as well. Some plants are huge and some tiny (even the same breed).
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| Long Red Cayenne Pepper in Bloom (June 13) |
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| Rose Tomato courtesy of Emily (and her Mom) |
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| Orange Sunshine in Bloom (June13) |
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| Teepee for beans, cucumbers |
I'm trying to go really vertical in the garden at the ground level and have built a teepee structure from limbs cut in last fall from our Mulberry tree which we keep pruned. Climbing on the frame are pole beens (back), cucumbers front and Zucchini on the twirly side posts. Under the teepee are things I've read are shade tolerant (lettuce, radish, swiss chard, kale, and carrots). Things are doing really well in both gardens but I must REMEMBER to plant my peas and beans early in the season (April not May).
I've got a lovely bunch of purple mustard and spinach....waiting for dinner in a bowl!
