I have been super busy this summer! Remember earlier this year when I bought my first green house and had transplants like right off the bat? A lot has happened since then. My original transplants that I moved out to my raised garden beds were doing beautifully until a sneak last minute frost came a destroyed all of my new born plants. I was so upset but picked my self up from the grass crying and whining and started again. It was a bit late for me to start tomatoes from seed because I wanted them to be a few months old when they made their way into the beds. I bought three heirloom tomatoes that were German Johnson, Beefsteak, and Heinz. I also bought a variety of smaller salad size tomatoes such as cherry, pear, and tumblers. My transplants have done amazing this season. My other plants have as well that I grew from my own two hands and I am proud to announce that a had an abundance of crop. I started with my one greenhouse and one raised bed in April. I now have four good size raised beds, my greenhouse, and a variety of pots, planters, and other crafty devices to serve as a home to my precious seedlings and plants.
As my first year in really doing things the right way, rather than just throwing some seeds into the dirt and expecting them to grow; is coming to a close for the summer season... I am really impressed with myself. I have researched and treated my plants with care and have been very proud of the results. You know what this means right? You can do this too! I have to tell you also, my yard is small. No, like super small. I have about a ten foot gab of yard between my driveway and my neighboring property and that is what has served as a home to my crop this year. Even in small spaces, I have learned, much crop can come to life and provide produce for a family.
With August soon coming to an end in my state of Iowa, I thought it was time to start thinking about hoop houses and cold framing for my beds. I also need to get my greenhouse up and running for the winter. Winters in Iowa can get pretty frigid and so I want to make sure I am very prepared for the winter months to come.
Before I close, I thought I might share a few photos of good comings, trial and error episodes and my plants for the hot season this year. Please enjoy and remember you can do this too!
As my first year in really doing things the right way, rather than just throwing some seeds into the dirt and expecting them to grow; is coming to a close for the summer season... I am really impressed with myself. I have researched and treated my plants with care and have been very proud of the results. You know what this means right? You can do this too! I have to tell you also, my yard is small. No, like super small. I have about a ten foot gab of yard between my driveway and my neighboring property and that is what has served as a home to my crop this year. Even in small spaces, I have learned, much crop can come to life and provide produce for a family.
With August soon coming to an end in my state of Iowa, I thought it was time to start thinking about hoop houses and cold framing for my beds. I also need to get my greenhouse up and running for the winter. Winters in Iowa can get pretty frigid and so I want to make sure I am very prepared for the winter months to come.
Before I close, I thought I might share a few photos of good comings, trial and error episodes and my plants for the hot season this year. Please enjoy and remember you can do this too!
Here are my beefsteak tomatoes that are going into the greenhouse to provide use with winter crop.
Again, a Jalapeno plant for the greenhouse for the winter.
55 day corn I am experimenting with in a random container. I did order Burpee's new Container Corn this year, but unfortunately I planted it too early and the frost got it *sad face*, but maybe next year.
Mint that has been taking off and doing very well in a hanging basket. It smells so refreshing!
Here is my tumbler tomato plant that will be retiring to the greenhouse as well because it is an indeterminate plant.
Our first pumpkin this year, but one of only two. My planting area was attacked by stink bugs and walking kids. More luck next year maybe?
Corn growing in my 6x8 garden bed. It is a 55 day sweet corn variety that I am hoping to get my teeth into very soon!
Here is a variety of peppers that are doing very well.
I must say I am very impressed with my marigolds that I started from seed this year from Burpee. It was Burpee's Best Mix and I swear this are Marigolds on steroids! They are crawling out of the bed.
Three Heirloom tomato plants that are taking over! I used stakes but cages are in order next year because these guys are monsters.
Tomatoes producing very well.
Fencing I put up to keep my tomatoes from crawling into the driveway.
Our Jalapenos that are doing very well this year.
My attempt at growing pumpkins vertically on stakes and nylon. Stink bugs attacked badly this year and I was able to produce two pumpkins from four plants but I will be trying something new next year. Any advice or pointers?
