Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Are you growing a garden this year?

I am, and I haven't a clue on how to do it. Here is part of the story...We just purchased our house in August of last year and it came with a big, huge area that the man that lived in the house before us used as a garden area. Well, me and my "new" frugal ways and the idea that I really want my kiddos to be involved in something spectacular has decided to grow a garden, but not a small garden. If you know me at all, I love big! ANYWAY, I HAVE NOT A SINGLE GREEN THUMB! BUT, with the help of both of our parents and their knowledge, and encouragement of everyone around us, I am hoping that we will be a bit successful. So, a few weeks ago I planted a bunch of seeds inside. We started jalepenos, 40+ tomato plans, green peppers, mixed peppers, and cauliflower. Well, they are now growing and I got a tip from Leah over at La Vida Cheapo to start hardening them. Well, I have been doing that and putting them outside during the day, so that they can get used to the weather and then I am bringing them in at night. Well, I don't know about yesterday, but my little plants are not happy campers today. They look real funny. Here are some pictures of what I have growing ....


As you can see, I also tried growing some plants in an egg carton, because I think an egg carton is a lot cheaper than buying those trays and it is working, and working really well. Those are the plants off to the very left side of the picture.

Here is another picture....

I think they are getting pretty tall.



These are some tomato plants that are getting pretty tall, though not as tall as the ones in the store.

Okay, now, here is what they look like after yesterday. I have not a clue what happened, but now they are turning yellow!

Don't know what to do, but I am just gonna keep on trying. Maybe they are little upset about being in the sun yesterday. I dunno?

Anyway, if you have any ideas let me know.

Okay, now my dad was here this weekend and between him, my mom, my husband, the kids, and myself we got the garden prepared.... Here are some pictures of the dirt all tilled up and ready to go...


Look at how big this baby is going to be!

Okay, so dad has "connections" and was able to get us some kind of plastic-type, disposable hoses that go under the ground and water your plants from underneath. This is something that the produce growers around here, in Washington, use to grow their crops. It is supposed to make is real convenient to use and works really well when growing a garden. So, that is part of what you see here. You can see little, faint lines in the dirt and that is where the water is running. They kinda look like rows, but it is the water.

Okay, here is the last picture. This is what my garden looks like now, as we wait to plant here in May....
Oh, I forgot to mention that I have two big, huge rhubarb plants too, there at the end of my garden. You can see them there at the top half of the picture. Anyway, again, my dad has "connections" and got this special plastic. I don't believe this stuff is sold in regular stores. Anyway, we laid this plastic (it really looks like vinyl, but feels like a thin, stretchy-type of plastic) down and burried the ends with dirt. This is supposed to help keep the weeds out and really help my plants grow. We will be poking holes in these to plant our plants when the time comes. Each set of plastic is going to make two rows of garden. So, I will be planting two rows of garden in each row of black plastic. Oh, and my hoses are under the plastic.

Sorry, about the long post, but I am really excited and very nervous to take this on and I just really wanted to share with you all. Anybody else getting ready for garden? Have any tips? I would love to hear from you all and maybe see some picture too?

Okay, thank you for letting me ramble on. :)

Please share some stories with us. I would love to post them too.

Thanks! Cheryl