Mid-season Garden Observations

As we roll right into the heart of the growing season in S.E. Michigan, I'm already making lots of mental notes about the garden- what early season crops I loved, which ones didn't do that well, what I didn't plant enough of, what I ended up with an over-abundance with. I think its a good time to make notes about Spring and early Summer plantings so when I start seeds in the winter, it will be easier to recall these insights!

In no particular order, here are some garden observations:

Sugar Snap peas-

They are amazing!

Mike said they were his favorite new garden addition this year

Need to start outdoors earlier, under half-pint mason jars.

Expand a section for them

Kale-

Way too much, although I love it! Could scale back a bit next year.

Herbs-

Started some indoors too soon: cilantro and basil

German Chamomile has been great

Adding other herbs for tea

Carrots-

Loved them, cannot plant too many: ran out already!

Little Finger carrots and Imperator carrots- I think the Little Fingers grew better.
Planted 8 rows of 10 for each type, next year need to plant more like 15 rows of 10.
Stagger planting dates better

Onions-

Need to plant more

Find a good source for onion sets- onions from seed did all right, but were reaaaally slow.

Bunching onions did nicely- could start those from seed for early Spring.

Beans-

Kidney beans dried really well

Saved them all for a large dried bean crop next year

Provider beans did not dry well- eat more of those fresh next year!

Possible potted additions for next year:

Dwarf Fig: Petite Negra
Dwarf Mulberry
Hardy Kiwi: Anna
Paw Paw Tree
Meyer Lemon Tree

What's going well in your garden? Any decisisons about what to keep or do away with for next year?

What's Up Wednesday

This is what's "up" in my urban garden today!

Monday I transplanted the first of the Valencia onions I grew indoors- they seem to be thriving in the garden, despite the cold temps.

I direct seeded some carrots 2 weeks ago, and they are coming up quite well. So nice to see their little green shoots lining the garden beds in rows.

The mystery spinach I started indoors has taken off well outside too! Anyone have any thoughts on what type it is?

Apple trees are blossoming- so pretty!

The 9 Speckles Lettuces in the garden are getting bigger each day- right now they're about 8 inches across! Lots of delicious salads in our future.

What's Up in your garden today?

An urban farm update

When I first started growing food for myself and my family, I had some lofty expectations. In some ways, I still do- I think its good to set your sights high! When I envision what I'd like my yard to look like in 3, 5 or even 10 years, and my sustainability goals associated with that, I get so excited! This month I was able to accompish a major goal off of the long term list, which is getting some fruit trees! I LOVE fruit and am out there at local orchards picking apples every season. I was holding back on purchasing fruit trees based on serveral perceived barriers: price and space.



Our new sour cherry tree!

I purchased an Early Richmond Dwarf Cherry and a Dwarf Honeycrisp Apple from Blocks Nursery in Romulus, MI. They had a good selection of fruit trees and I could have easily stayed there for 8 hours and spent a million dollars. I selected an apple tree because I love them, and a cherry tree because most cherry-picking farms I see are Up North so I think it will be nice to have some cherries in our yard! I kept my eyes on the prize and got out of there with the two fruit trees, 3 hostas, a flat of white alyssum, and 3 purple lupines for about $70! The fruit trees were on sale for $20 each which is wayyy more affordable than I thought they would be! Also, I looked up space requirements and decided that I do have enough space for 2-3 dwarf trees on my west side yard. Mike and I hopped out there and planted the trees, spaced about 12-13 ft apart.

The only thing I'm not sure of is pollination. The cherry is self-fruitful, but the apple needs another apple to bear fruit. I have crab-apple trees in my yard, but I'm not sure if those count. If not, I might be buying another dwarf Honeycrisp!

So folks, your dream of a little, urban orchard to call your own could be very possible! Maybe I'll see you at Blocks in the very near future :)