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?

DIY Plant Labels out of Used Canning Lids

Since I am lucky enough to be featured on a local urban garden tour on Saturday, I have been spiffing things upon around the gardens here. Weed-pulling, plant staking- all those fun garden chores that seem to slip past me for weeks at a time! 

One of the projects I tackled today that I'd be meaning to get to for a while is plant labels! I looked at buying plastic or wooden labels, those awesome pinterest spoons, event popsicle sticks, but the idea of purchasing something new to label plants for 3 months just seems a bit wasteful. 

My mom was in town and we were brainstorming creative ways to re-use materials and also create plant labels are functional: Big enough to read, Eye-catching but not an eye-sore, and Tall enough so people don't have to squat down to see them! I'm pretty satisfied with what I ended up with, so I'll share the glory with you!

DIY- Canning Lid Plant Labels

Supplies needed:

Used (already canned-with) Wide Mouth jar lids 
2 pkgs. Floral Cloth Wire 
Duct Tape 

Permanent Marker

Seed Packets for reference 

the internet, to look up latin names if necessary

Directions: (This is real easy, friends!)

• Sort through your seed packets and set out any that you planted in the garden this year on your table, essentially making a list.
• Flip all the lids white-side up and make sure they are clean and blemish free
• On the white-side of each lid write the plant type in large letters straight across the middle of the lid in permanent market
• Write the variety across the top of the lid, in smaller-sized writing. I chose to add quotation marks too.
• Write the latin name of the plant across the bottom of the lid, again in a smaller size
• Once you are finished with the entire pile of lids, get out your floral wire
• Bend each wire in half, leaving a sort of upside-down "U" shape at the top
• Flip all your lids over, careful to set them down so the text is aligned and straight
• Tape a bent floral wire piece to the back of each lid, and press the tape down around the wire so it's secure

Now label up those mystery plants!