Herb Garden 2019

I am so excited to get started planting and the weather is not allowing me to.  So I have picked up a few herbs for this years herb garden.  This will help me with my impatience and I get fresh herbs to cook with...A Win-Win!!!

Greenhouse Growing Begins

I am so excited that I got my new to me green house constructed with little to no issues.  It is now being used and I already have seed started and some herbs growing in it!  

Growing Herbs

Here is a great article that explains how to grow herbs and which ones are the best to grow in your own yard!

Growing Herbs in the Garden

Lovely Lavender

I am so excited that the lavender that I planted this year is starting to bloom!  It smells heavenly and I hope it is helping to keep the bugs away from the patio area. So many possibilities to use this medicinal herb in the future!!

April Garden Chores

April Garden Chores

• I planted  strawberries (I will keep the blossoms pinched off the first year so they develop strong roots)
• The last average frost date was this month. That means I could plant warm-season annuals (tomatoes, peppers, basil, marigolds, petunias, and the like) since all danger of frost has passed.Still working on finishing these tasks due to spring rains.
• I will wait to plant seeds for corn, green beans, squash, cucumbers, okra, sweet potatoes and other heat-lovers until the soil has warmed to 60 degrees F. That's warm enough for you to walk on it comfortably barefoot. This should be very soon!
• Also worked on flower garden areas and getting all the perennials and annuals planted there.  Still need to add rocks to the rock garden area.
• I have 1 more flower garden area to weed and thin out.  That will be done in May because of April rains!
• Weeded the herb garden and the mint garden areas.
• Built a trellis for the sweet peas in the container garden area.

Lavender Update

The lavender made it through the freak snow on Easter!  Still thriving!!!

Culinary and Medicinal Herb Garden Update

Last night I got most of my culinary/kitchen herbs and medicinal herbs planted.  I only need to work on my mint garden this week and start working on the herb wheel area I am planning on adding this year.  

I have these herbs planted now:

1. Thyme (3 varieties)
2. Rosemary (3 varieties)
3. Lemon Balm
4. German Chamomile
5. Chives
6. Dill
7. Oregano (2 varieties)
8. Sage
9. Parsley (2 varieties)
10. Cilantro
11. Basil
12. Lavender (3 varieties)
13. Mint (8 varieties) (I will post when the mint garden is updated this year)

12 Fail-Proof Garden Crops

Let’s face it: Some crops are just easier to grow than others. If you’re new to growing food, you might want to keep it simple and stick with options that are sure to leave you feeling successful at the end of your first official growing season.

Cool Season Vegetables

Radish. 

Arugula

Snow pea and/or sugar snap pea

Swiss chard

Green onions

Warm Season Vegetables

Tomato

Summer squash

Basil

Beans

Peppers

Tomatillo

Cucumber

See this awesome website Attainable Sustainable for more details about growing these easy for new gardeners plants!

http://www.attainable-sustainable.net/easiest-vegetables/

Seed Starting Schedule

When you are planning your garden and you are trying to figure out when to plant seeds, etc.  This website explains the process step by step!

How to Develop a Seed Starting Schedule:

1. Find Your Last Expected Frost Date. 

2. Set Up a Chart.

3. Figure Out the Sow and Transplant Dates of Each Seed. 

4. Record the Dates in Your Chart. 

5. Keep Notes for Next Year. 

How to Develop a Seed Starting Schedule:

11 Mosquito Repelling Plants

Here are 11 of the best plants to repel mosquitoes.  Which ones are you planting this year?  I am going to try to plant all 11!

1. Citronella
2. Lemon Balm
3. Catnip
4. Marigolds
5. Basil
6. Lavender
7. Peppermint
8. Garlic
9. Pennyroyal
10. Rosemary
11. Geranium

For more information on each plant see this website: http://www.naturallivingideas.com/11-plants-that-repel-mosquitoes/

Starting An Herb Garden

I love fresh herbs!  I have a few that I am growing but am planning on expanding my herb garden this year.  Here is a great article that can help you start your own or fine tune the one you have!

http://commonsensehome.com/getting-started-herb-gardening/