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Tuesday, June 05, 2012

garden notes














"A garden is a lovesome thing!"

-Thomas Edward Brown


It's been a busy past week in the garden, with the end of May our planting time here.  Mike surprised me by building 11 more raised beds on his week off!  Not much of a restful vacation, but in the long run it should help simplify life so much--all part of our downsizing-empty-nesters plan.  What I have planted so far:
  1. tomatoes--4 types
  2. peppers--sweet bells, jalepenos, bananas
  3. broccoli
  4. collards
  5. cucumbers
  6. zucchini
  7. green beans
  8. eggplant
  9. potatoes
  10. romaine
  11. onions
Mixed in are chamomile, sage, marigolds, nasturtiums, and the Envy zinnias.  I'm making an attempt at companion planting {chart here} ... we'll see how that goes.  Supports and trellis' will need to be placed.  Still to go in are the corn, melons, gourds, squash and pumpkins over by the chicken yard, where there will be room for lots of sprawling out...and sunflowers, of course! 
The strawberries are ripening and the raspberry & blackberry bushes are getting off to a good start.  The allium planted in November did not disappoint and the clematis is in its glory...

I'll be back between planting and weeding to let you know how the homemade moisturizer turned out,

Deb

27 comments:

  1. Your garden looks so pretty, the clematis is beautiful. You have been busy!

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  2. Everything looks just beautiful!

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    1. Thanks Katy--glad for your visit!...Deb

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  3. So pretty! I have always wanted raised beds, too. Yours look so neat.

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    1. Thanks Karen--I am hoping the raised beds will mean a lot less weeding!...Deb

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    2. We took out some shrubs and pine needles from an area that was sort of a raised bed (concrete blocks with a walkway around it. It served as a business entrance for the previous owners.)
      We planted our garden there this year, and have loved that there are NO WEEDS! Yet. ;o)

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  4. Oh my goodness! those are beautiful. That blue frame as a backdrop for those blue flowers is fabulous!!!

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    1. That blue frame was a lucky roadside find :) ...Deb

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  5. I envy your garden, I wished I had left space in my landscape design for a samll vegetable patch. I look forward to see more pics of your plants and harvest.

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    1. Thank you--I'm so glad you stopped by...Deb

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  6. Raised garden beds are the best...I want more of them! So easy to weed and water! Good luck and Happy Gardening!

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    1. Making it all easier is definitely the goal--thanks for your visit! ...Deb

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  7. Looks like a lot of garden for empty nesters! Good job!

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    1. I should really clarify that we're not empty nesters yet--but with only oldest, daughter left we will probably be there in the very near future--just planning ahead :) Deb

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  8. I'm loving your garden! We are having trouble with ours because of our dog, temps ranging from 61-100 within a few days and not being able to maintain a really good watering pattern. All in all we are enjoying our outdoor space. I can just imagine sipping lemonade in your garden though :-)

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    1. Thanks! The dogs & cats do pose some problems here too :) Deb

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  9. What lovely photos. Love the neatness of the veggie garden and the gorgeous flowers!

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    1. Thanks Jean! Let's hope I can keep the veggie garden looking so neat--I think the raised beds will help me...Deb

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  10. What lovely photos! Love the neatness of the veggie garden and the gorgeous flowers.

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  11. Deb...I love raised beds!!! how are you doing the ground all around them....dirt right now?? it's "black"...how are you keeping the weeds away on the ground around the beds?

    I TOTALLY forgot about the Envy zinnias! Every year I plan on planting them..and forget! see? blogging is good for the soul and keeping your readers on track!

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    1. As the raised beds were laid in our existing garden the paths are still dirt, but I think we're going to do grass and just keep them mowed--still debating that though...
      My first try with the Envy zinnias--they're already popping up & I can't wait to see them bloom...Deb

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  12. You inspired me today. I linked to your blog....Thank you and blessings. Tami

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    1. Thank you for the kind words ~ they give me so much encouragement! ...Deb

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  13. Anonymous8:23 AM

    don't you just love this time of year...the chance to get our hands dirty and make some goodies in the garden :)

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  14. Companion planting is great, ads colour, life and helps repel the nasties. Best of luck. Please keep us posted

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  15. Garden looks great Deb, very impressed with the Aliums, even more impressed with Mikes raised beds.

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  16. Hello Deb!
    Very nice pictures, really! By the way, which wood have you use for the raised garden beds? I’m thinking about doing something similar but I’m afraid that the wood will be rotten after a while.
    Regards
    Garden Chair

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb