Jul 13
2008
Bumblebee Garden July Update
Sometimes it just feels as if I’m on a downhill runaway train!
So if it seems that I have been ignoring my Bumblebee Blog here, it’s not because I haven’t been thinking about it.
As some of my friends know, I am now writing a garden column at Examiner.com, the growing national news service. Learning the Examiner process, developing my editorial calendar and identifying sources and resources has taken time. Little things such as work (I have a job!), other writing projects, family vacations, house guests, family emergencies and nearly cutting off my finger with my uber-sharp Felco pruners–twice–have also been major time suckers.
But the flowers and veggies here at Bumblebee continue to grow, as do the weeds. In fact, I’m still trying to get back on top of the weeds that sought world domination while I had the nerve to go on a week-long family vacation.
In the Colonial theme garden, where I do my most intensive gardening, I decided to experiment with some new veggies this year, including tomatillos, blackeyed peas and a wider variety of heirloom tomatoes, including Paul Robeson, Black Sara, Goose Creek and Cherokee Purple. I’m also growing pattypan and crookneck squash, malabar spinach, strawberries, all kinds of peppers and herbs.
I’m happy with the decision to add more flowers in containers in the theme garden. They add more color than I can squeeze into the beds and it also forces me to head out with the water hose every day since container plants dry out so quickly.
I have started another garden area that we are currently calling the North Garden. It used to be the Poop Garden because that’s where our old dog Winifred used to, well, you know. Winifred has been gone for a few years now, so I figure it’s safe to expand our vegetable growing in a spot that she used for her own production.
Frankly, I’m still struggling with the organization and plant content of the North Garden, so I’m not really ready to post photos. But I will before the end of summer, if only so you can shake your heads and feel sad for how miserably I’ve failed.
Now that I’m writing a column over at Examiner, my posts here in Bumblebee will be largely confined to my own personal gardening and interests. The Examiner column will feature commentary, news, shopping resources, love links to interesting stuff on the Internet, interviews and reviews of products and books.
Thanks for visiting. Drop me a line or comment and let me know how your garden is doing.
Ciao!
July 13th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I SO love your picket fence! And all your other garden spaces and decor. And congrats on doing the column. I bet you’re so glad you have tomatoes while the rest of us “tomato-less gardeners” who failed to plant them are consternated by the current tomato dilemma. I don’t know how you do it all!
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
In fact, I picked my first tomatoes today! I did it after the fellows were gone and consumed them standing at the sink!
There are always your local produce stands.
Robin at Bumblebee
July 13th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Nice to hear from you!
July 13th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Looks green and lovely–and orderly, even though it feels like chaos to you.
What was your source for tomatillos? Did you buy plants or start them from seed? I’m thinking of trying them next year so I’m curious to know how they do for you.
Hi M,
I started the tomatillos from seed. Frankly, they are outrunning the bugs. I have yet to see what’s eating them, but Carol at May Dreams tells me maybe it’s flea beetle? I don’t spray, of course, and since I can’t see what’s eating them, I don’t see how tenting them will help.
Still, they are growing. The tiny fruits are growing inside of these green skins. I think the fruits grow into the skins, which are the papery skins you see on the mature fruit when picked. Really, it’s fascinating to watch, given that I’ve always bought tomatillos rather than grown them! I expect I’ll post something about it somewhere. I have a couple of great photos.
Yes, my garden is orderly. I am, frankly, a control freak and am working to allow a little more chaos into the garden for a lush look. I admire gardens that bloom with wild abandon, but I really need more structure than that! I suppose it has something to do with the gardens that influenced me as a child.
Robin
July 13th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Your garden looks great, love that little fence all around it and those nice raised beds. I’ve got a green tower, too, actually two of them, and just saw that Layanee at Ledge and Garden has one, too. Must be “the thing”.
I need to redo the sides of my raised beds. I used cedar boards and yes, eventually it rots, too. What did you use on yours?
My raised beds are made with 4′ x 4′ cedar boards seated with rebar. Very sturdy. The board cost a mint.
Robin at Bumblebee
July 15th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Love the idea of dividing a garden into distinct areas. Allows you to indulge different passions and interests.
Looks great.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I really really like the fenced garden. Is that the colonial theme garden? Can you please take more pictures of it? I am on a tear about kitchen gardens/potagers. Tell me everything you are growing there…..including the salsa garden stuff.
July 19th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
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