The vegetable garden

I have been bit this year by the bug, the gardening bug. Not only have I been working like crazy to clean out the flower beds, but I have also decided to plant a vegetable garden this year. I have never been a gardener, just ask my parents, but for some reason that all changes when you have your own home to care for, weird. There is something therapeutic, calming, rewarding about planting and growing. I never understood that until this year. 

Being a beginner, I did a lot of research before deciding on my vegetable garden. I knew that if the experience was not positive this year I would be less inclined to repeat the garden next year. Everything I read said to START SMALL and SIMPLE. So I sent Justin out into the field to rototill... 

And there is nothing small about this garden.

My estimate is that the garden measures about 54ftx15ft. Its huge (Rochester huge). So there we have it, a huge vegetable garden.

Now, it's not all Justin's fault. I one up-ed him by going to Kirbys and purchasing 3 1/2 flats of produce. He must have know I would become overzealous when perusing produce plants and purchase every possible edible plant they offered...in multiples. So here we have it our first "we got completely carried away and thought we we needed to provide the entire town of Hamlin with vegetables" vegetable garden. I am telling you its redonk-u-lous.

My herb pots...basil, dill, and lemon basil. Just in case you were thinking "thats not that much Care" I should inform you I have two more of these pots with yep you guessed it----Basil. Homemade Pesto anyone??

My prego Bean... free kittens anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

The epic garden...

Here's the lowdown we have: 16 tomato plants, 15 pepper plants, 6 watermelon, 6 musk melon, 12 broccoli plants, 6 brussel sprout plants, 12 lettuce plants, 6 celery plants, countless onions, 12 pickling cucumber plants, 6 yellow squash, 6 zucchini, and 6 eggplant.

This is a technique called plasticulture. It is supposed to warm the roots and accelerate growth for a faster yield, reduce evaporation therefore conserving water, provide a weed barrier because sunlight will not penetrate the black plastic, and reduces pests and disease.

My FAVORITE part about the planting this year was doing it with Justin. I loved that every time he planted something in the ground he would say "grow strong and tall little (plant name)". I loved it!

I repeat...redonkulous

All together it took us about 2 days to get the garden to where it is now. One day for tilling the land and hoeing rows and the next day for just planting. Hopefully it will be well worth the work!

I can't wait to give away all our extra veggies...I think the rule should be if you take a veggie you take a kitty :) hehe