I've debated back and forth about keeping this blog since I'm so inconsistent with it. But recently, I've realized that I need a place to talk about stuff that is not related to work. And I know family in Ohio has said multiple times that they would like to finally see pics of our house. So...without further adieu, we are starting in my favorite place - the garden :)
Does this count as farming? I surely think it should. I mean, come on people, farming is in my blood!
My little 3x7 plot us using the 'Square Foot Gardening' method. I decided to plant cucumbers, tomatoes (cherry and "Better Boy" varieties), green and red peppers, peas, baby watermelon, summer squash, bush beans (pole beans would have been better with SFG but I missed the planting season) and baby pumpkins. I also planted green onions but those didn't grow. So I stuck the remnants of store bought green onions in the ground and those re-grew!
Being a first-year Texas gardener definitely has a steep learning curve. Here are some of the things I've learned, many the hard way.
- You can start planting in, like, January. And no, I'm not exaggerating
- If you don't plant by the beginning of March, you've missed a large part of the planting season, but it's okay because you get a 2nd chance in September for 'cool weather' veggies like carrots, onions, etc.
- I am zone 9a. It took forever for me to figure this out and I am posting it here for memory. The greater Houston area can be zones 8a or 8b or 9a or 9b...geesh.
- It doesn't get cold enough to kill most bugs during our 'winter,' and this is not a good part of the subtropical climate deal.
- Buy the Disease Resistant seed varieties if at all possible. My peas were struck with powdery mildew and I doubt they will make more than one crop.
- Grubs are from the devil. Seriously. I found out this morning that the reason my squash and pumpkins are dying is they have been eating the stems from the inside out. See here. Michael and I spent a 1/2 hour slicing these buggers out of the stem with a knife and squishing them. We still aren't sure if it's too late to save the plants, but at least I can replant still if I have to.
I know this will largely be a learning experience, but it has been really cool to see how only God can provide for the seeds and plants to grow and bear fruit, and we are hoping to have some veggies to share with our friends within a few weeks time!
