One of my favorite things about this time of year is fresh fruits and vegetables. We have lots of farmer’s markets around and I love to support our local businesses and farmers but I also like to grow a few of my own. Especially tomatoes!
In the Northeast we have a short growing season. So, I like to find my vegetable plants as large as I can. I found them in a few places this year. Mostly at nurseries. They can be a little more, but to have larger plants and a quicker return on the money is worth it!
We don’t have a big yard so I’ve been using containers for my vegetable plants for the last few years. This helps keep the vegetables off the ground and me from bending over too much! Plus, I like the way it looks. As our landscaping keeps growing it keeps pushing several good planting spots in the shade. I love the shade, but I need a sunny area for the veggies. I’ve been watching how the sun travels lately and I think the side of my house is the sunniest spot. Unfortunately it was full of weeds. So, I pulled weeds and Lacey watched with her frisbees. I sprinkled on some Preen all around the area that will fertilize the plants and keep future weeds at bay.
I trimmed up the bushes and cut back the peonies, which sadly are spent. I hauled around my planters, pots and urns. I filled them with soil and popped in my plants. Instant garden!
I ran out of pots so I used an old fire pit that had a hole in the bottom and planted my cucumbers and zucchini in that.
The other containers hold two kinds of tomatoes, (cherry and big boy), a jalapeño plant, and two bell pepper plants. I used some old obelisks and trellises that I had to cover the plants and give them something on which to climb. My only concern is this area is outside our fence. I don’t want to feed the rabbits and deer anymore that I must. They already love my day lilies. 🙁 Fingers crossed they will find some other yard more appetizing. I added a few fake bunnies hoping to psych out the real ones. Now for fertilizer and sunny days! Happy gardening!
