In Full Bloom

I have been a bit behind in taking pictures!  The following is a comparison of May 14th compared to June 14th.  Its amazing how fast things change in the garden.  Check out the pictures below and see for yourself.

From back to front: Peas, Eggplant, Peppers and Zucchini

 From back to front: Peas, Green Beans, Peas (Bush)
 

 From back to front: Garlic, Onions, Herbs
 

From back to front: Okra, Kale, Spinach, Lettuce
 

Finally harvested all the Peas and cleaned out the old pea vines on June 15th!

 

Simply for the joy in seeing them grow

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a spring whose waters never fail.  

Isaiah 58:11 

Honestly its been a very challenging year and I have not been able to dedicate the same amount of time and attention to the garden as years past.  The amazing part is despite my lack of ability to keep up the garden is still flourishing. All the praise goes to God for those details!  

This is my favorite time of the year and I love to see the seeds we planted start to grow!  I always find it incredible that I am able to be a part of this process. 

Its still early and in the next couple of weeks (before May 15th) we will be finishing our planting.  Inside I still have eggplant, coleus, inpatients and snapdragons that I need to harden off so they can be planted outside.  

(FRUITING) RAISED BED #1

Peas growing vertically

We planted our peas on March 17th then planted the Kale (started indoors), Spinach and Lettuce on April 12th.  I simplified things and only started a few seeds indoors. 

Peppers & Tomatoes (peas in background)

I ordered peppers and tomatoes online and they arrived today! I was able to plant them outside because they are under our winter row covers. Check out one of my past posts if you are interested in using row covers. 

(LEGUMES)  RAISED BED #2

Bush Peas 

 (ROOT) RAISED BED #3 

Herbs, Onions & Garlic

  (LEAVES/FLOWERING) RAISED BED #4

Lettuce, Spinach, & Kale

This is our first year growing Kale.  My goal is to try another planting in the fall.

Kale

I was able to catch a beautiful sunset on camera and am looking forward to seeing another one this summer. Until the next post enjoy digging in the dirt!

How to Attract Birds

I walked out to the garden tonight and was able to get close to the Yellow Finches that were picking away at the Italian Sunflowers! So beautiful.  They are acrobatic hanging upside down and eating sunflowers (their favorite).

Birds are an important part of a healthy garden.  They eat insects that are pests and simply need: shelter, cover, water and food.  You can add elements to your garden to make sure you have your own bird haven.

American Goldfinches- Female (left) Male (right)

This year we cleared out the back right corner of our yard and added a small flower bed (on the far right of the picture below).

Garden on July 28th

The new addition of the small flower bed has been the perfect solution to an unsightly area.  It also allowed us to create an environment to attract birds.  We moved one of our birdbaths to this location and also added a small birdhouse. This corner is also shaded so it provides an escape from the heat of the garden.

Birdhouse & Birdbath- under the tree in the shade

UPDATE ON RAISED BEDS IN GARDEN: The pictures below show the progress in the garden.  Around mid-August the garden will be close to final production.  However, right now things are still growing!

BED #1- Parsley, Asparagus & Summer Squash

BED #2- Zucchini, Onions, Tomatoes, & Okra (removed Cucumber vines today due to disease)

CENTER BED: Herbs, Marigolds, Tomato & Peppers

BED #3- Zucchini, Green Beans, Peppers & Cucumbers (removed Cucumber vines today due to disease)

BED #4- Pumpkins, Onions & Summer Squash (previously had lettuce)

A Walk in the Garden

It was such an amazing evening for July.  Cool and breezy with no clouds in sight.  Perfect for a walk in the garden.  A time to reflect on the busy week and the changes to come.  Time to give thanks for all God's blessings in my life and time to pray for those I love.  

These are the pictures that I choose to capture that walk.  Details of pausing from our busy world to look at the colors and textures.  Every image shouting for our lives to take a break from this chaos.  An invitation to listen and be quiet.  Allowing the peace of God to wash over your life.  

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12

 

May 27th Update (with Okra & Garlic info)

Everything is finally planted in the garden!  This is the best time of year to get a little break and enjoy the warm weather.  Over Memorial Day weekend we were able to put the finishing touch on the garden by laying down weed block and adding mulch between the beds. (Pictured below)

Before mulch & weed block

After mulch & weed block

Its amazing how much better it looks! We have also enjoyed relaxing and sitting out on the deck with the little one playing in the baby pool. 

The Deck with flowers, tomatoes & raspberry bush

(2) Tomatoes, Petunias & Gerbera Daisy

(3) Tomatoes & Raspberry (new addition this year)

June 30th Update

The verse I read today was:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge."    Psalm 19:1&2

Standing outside today was beautiful.  I tend to love spring weather and it always passes so quickly.  However, today it has felt like spring again!  There was a light breeze and the sun was out to light the sky yet some clouds kept the temperature at 73 degrees.  I wasn't able to stay outside as long as I would have liked (we are in the process of finishing up some interior work in our house) but I relished every moment I had in the garden. 

Zinnias in full bloom

I am always amazed at how small I feel under our giant Maple trees.  Just standing in our yard reminds me that God is amazing!  We have prayed this year that God would bless our garden.  We know that prayer has already been answered in part.  We have been able to share with others our seedlings, crops as they produce and the knowledge we have gained from this process.  

BED# 1- (pictured below) Asparagus, Parsley, Tomatoes & Basil.

Still battling the Asparagus Beetles (next year we will make a taller row cover & keep it on all year!)

I need to dry some of this Parsley because we have an abundance.

(Late plant) Tomatoes & Basil after Peas were harvested

BED# 2- (pictured below) Cauliflower, Broccoli, Corn, Pole Beans & Winter Squash.

We just harvested 2 of our 4 Broccoli.  Yumm!  I think we may have waited too long on one of them.  This is the first year we have been successful with Broccoli.  Row Covers made the difference!  No more of those little green cabbage worms this year! 

Identifying our Winter Squash by the fruit:

Burgess: Winter Squash #1

Butternut: Winter Squash #2

Spaghetti: Winter Squash #3

Buttercup OR Delicata (too early to identify): Winter Squash #4