Our very own garden

We were so spoiled by my in-laws’ garden when we lived with them!  They grew tomatoes (40+ of different varieties), lettuce, peppers (many varieties), eggplant, cucumbers, onions,  parsley, and squash. 

Last year we were without our own garden, but we received so many wonderful fresh veggies from several in our congregation.  We received tomatoes, corn, squash, and peppers, but I sure missed the abundance of fresh veggies in the backyard.  We were given our first tomato plant last year from a member, and it gave us sweet bite size tomatoes all summer long.  I remember plucking tomatoes when I would let Chloe out for her morning walk. 

Well, I am not a gardener.  I don’t like all the work that goes along with it – you know, the constant weeding, but I sure love the fresh veggies, especially tomatoes.  Our backyard has many shade trees & a huge garage so not much room for a full blown garden – plus our dog uses it as a bathroom.  Anyway.  So, I asked Jay about trying to do a vertical garden. 

He thought maybe it would be okay, so what the heck, let’s give it a try.

 

So he and his dad built the vertical garden boxes.  We figure if it works out, next year we will invest in better wood and maybe even make it slightly bigger.  Once it was built and filled, we planted pole beans and peas on May 25th.  Then we invested in some mature tomato and pepper plants.

We were so excited to have things sprouting less than a week after planting!

 

On June 9th everything looks great.  We also have pots of tomatoes, cilantro, and basil.

The picture above and all those below were taken on June 24th.  I can’t get over how everything is growing!!

The peas are climbing the mesh wire and are even starting to get blooms.

In the front of this box, is one lone green pepper plant in between two tomato plants.

It might be hidden, but it is growing!!  Look at those peppers, and there’s at least ten others starting.

This pot of basil has been giving us fresh basil for our spaghetti sauce and pizza sauce.  What a big difference in flavor!!

Yesterday, Jay picked up some jalapeño pepper plants.  Need those for his salsa!!

Here is our potted garden – tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, and basil.  Three of the tomato plants came from the same member as last year – two of which made it into pots while . . .

this little lone guy found a spot near our garage. 

But hey, it must like it over there because it already has some little reds to share!!

So far so good.  Looks like next year’s might be slightly bigger!!