It's Fertilizer Friday
again at Tootsie Time.
I'm excited to have something of interest
to contribute!!
I usually focus
on my various tropical flowers and foliage.
However, we added our "starter" veggie garden
this year to our Garden in Paradise.
We were timid since our first attempt
several years ago burned to unidentifiable twigs
in the blazing South Florida sun.
However, we've researched and studied
since then and felt we were ready to try again.
This is the beginning in March 1, 2011.
Such sweet little babies!
And, as all babies do,
they started to grow...quickly!
This photo was taken March 15, 2011!
And the garden this morning, April 8, 2011...
I have to give credit to
Miracle Grow Garden Soil.
That pains me a little
as I honestly try with all my might
to keep an organic garden.
But the first, organic and inexperienced garden
shriveled so quickly that
I really couldn't shoulder the failure
a second time...so I cheated a bit.
I even purchased potted plants
instead of starting from seed.
But, seriously, the results are phenominal!
Being a flower fanatic,
I couldn't resist capturing some blooms.
This squash blossom is beautiful
in the morning sun,
framed by some little baby tomatoes.
The squash are already developing!
I can't wait to harvest these!
(I'll be able to participate in Harvest Monday!!!)
I like this pretty cucumber bloom
peaking out from behind the green foliage.
What a perfect flower!
And perfect blooms produce perfect cucumbers!
Look closely and you'll see a clump
of little green tomatoes!
A basil leaf also snuck into the picture.
Too bad I can't embed a scratch-and-sniff
of the basil...it's heavenly!
This is another variety of tomato - a little larger.
This Chinese Cabbage s HUGE!!
I have 4 of them!
Pretty, too.
Here's a Mammoth Jalapeno Pepper.
You can also see some chives
in the top left of the photo.
Our yellow and red bell peppers are blooming,
but no sign of baby peppers yet.
And in case you're questioning the validity of the Miracle Grow Garden Soil, check out my watermelon, purchased and planted on the same day, but without the Miracle Grow Soil.
I thought the watermelon would thrive
in the sandy "soil" we have in our yard.
Alas, in hind sight,
the watermelon would be gigantic by now
if I'd used the Miracle Grow soil.
Live and learn!
I'm not saying I'm turning from my organic ways,
but until I can amend my soil
enough to make a difference,
I might lean a bit on some non-organic options.
Remember to check out other gardens at
Thank you, Tootsie,
for being such a gracious hostess!!
Happy Fertilizer Friday, all!!
17 comments:
Wow! Your veggies are far ahead of ours! Basil? Tomatoes? It'll be a while before we have those. Our 14 inches of rain in March set our planting schedules askew. I can only hope our young transplants will grow as fast as yours!
As you get more heat than we do, especially early in the season, you can help to protect your young veggies from the sun with floating row covers, the white fabric-like ones. Of course, once they're blooming, you have to remove the covers at least during part of the day so the pollinators can get to work, but it can help. We leave our greens under cover, like lettuce and spinach all the time, and it's helped to prolong our harvest. Great job on your veggies though!
I think anyone growing their own herbs and vegies should be applauded, so no apologies necessary.
What a fabulous result! I'm sure you'll enjoy those delicious goodies, even more so because you grew them. Loved the flower shots! We often forget the beauty of these blooms.
Oh Kimberly, this post is so inspiring. DH and I were just talking the other night about having raised beds for veggies. Look what you have growing there in such a short period of time.
Way to go girl.
FlowerLady
Clare, Bernie, and FL, thank you so much for your encouragement and wonderful comments!! We've already agreed to enlarge our garden for the next planting season. I think shading from the blaze is a top priority!!
Call me when its harvest time Kimberly.
Have a great weekend.
Costas
I think this is awesome!!! you go! I am starting to think about more than just annuals here...might add lettuce as a border to some of my beds ...there's a rabbit here that has come every day for 6 years to my gardens...I am kind of attached to him! lol
thanks for linking in today!
How encouraging to get such great results in your new veggie venture. Basil and tomatoes love to grow together so I guess that's why they are gettin' in each other's pictures:) You have a good variety growing.
What a bumper crop, Kim! Sweeeeet!!
Up here in the 'Land of Lincoln', the farmers are waiting for the soil temp to get above 50 degrees to start in the fields. Today is a GREAT start -- it's supposed to be 70, and warmer tomorrow!! (As you know, that will change - and we'll be back at 'average' temps. We'll take it when we can get it!!!)
Wow, your result is really impressive!!! My veggie attempt only has some success in the container since the veggie just doesn't like soil here even I do put lots of top soil (not miracle grow). This year, I may try again since I found some free source of horse manure, which I hope will help :) GREAT JOB!
Crikey Kimberley, thats quite a veg patch you have there! Nice one.
I had to chuckle when I read that your previous attempts to grow a veggie garden had resulted in unidentifiable twigs. I can so relate to that -- I'm on the Gulf Coast of Texas and we have similar sizzling summers to you. Thank you for admitting you use Miracle Grow soil. I use it in my containers too and love it!
Here in Canada we have another month at least until we plant things like cucumbers and tomatoes. I've planted the peas and am waiting for them to peak through though.
I can't go through a summer without my own veggies, so now that I have a postage sized yard, I use a small plot next door.
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Wow, you garden looks great. If that is what it takes for you, than obviously it is working.
Your veggie bed is amazing. Enjoy all that tasty good for you produce.
Wow - what a great looking garden and it certainly grew in quickly. You already have veggies! I believe that whatever works best for you is all that matters - good luck with it!
Kimberly,
I am SO proud of you for giving the edibles another go. Gardening is all about trying and along the way learning a ton of what to do and what NOT to do next time. This is especially true with edibles since their growing seasons are short-lived.
Lots of good food in there to enjoy. Once you do that you'll be HOOKED forever.
Meems
P.S. my edible garden only gets max 5 hours of full sun. The rest of the day shade shifts and protects from the blaze.
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