Recently we had some thunderstorms (circa two weeks ago?) and ever since then my garden has started growing out of control! Tomatoes and peas everywhere! It is so satisfying to go and check daily, and see how everything is coming along!
The peas have gotten so tall they don’t even fit in the frame! Also, you may notice something missing from the first update. The broccoli is gone! I finally gave it the boot. It had the same problem as last year where the plant itself grew huge but there were just NO florets. Whereas my mother-in-law has these teeny plants with HUGE florets on them. Why not me?! But the main reason I dug it up was the leaves were so big they were smothering my carrots, and that was a no-no. Two carrots didn’t make it (too small, not enough time to flesh out) but at least the rest are doing well.
The lettuce is doing so great! I’ve already harvested three huge bunches (each one lasted about a full week, and we use it daily), and then I just harvested all this lettuce after taking the pics. Hoping to get at least two or three more bunches out of it!
The peas are just going nuts. They apparently don’t care that they’ve run out of trellis to grow on, and just keep going up, up, up! They are now taller than my 6′ 2″ hubby. As for when I pick them, it varies. If I want to use them in a stir fry, I’ll pick them when they are skinny like this. They crisp up so nicely in the pan that way. If I want them as a fresh snack to much, or for a salad, I wait until the peas get fatter and then that have a great crisp crunch!
My tomatoes are also getting giant again. After the big thunderstorm day we had, they got so big they tipped completely over, so as you can see we reinforced the metal cages with a little wood corral system that is working quite nicely. One big branch did snap off in the collapse, but I’ve still got plenty of tomatoes coming in! Four more bunches like the ones pictured! YUM!
I can’t wait for those tomatoes to ripen up. . .I have so many plans for sauces to try out and can! I definitely can’t wait to have a second bed for squashes next year, and I think I’ll try peppers instead of broccoli next year too. I really dislike peppers, but my hubs loves them and hopefully we can get the little on board with them too. Also, sunflowers!! They are just so big and happy; my yard must have some.
If you garden (veggie or flower), what’s your favorite thing to grow?
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Oh, wow, I’m jealous. My garden seems to be floundering. Plus I think some rabbits have gotten into it lately. We seem to have a bunch wandering around town, so I wouldn’t be surprised. Everything in your garden looks so wonderful, though. I can’t even pick a favorite. I’m definitely impressed!
Thanks! This is attempt number three, and I think I’ve got a stride now. My first one was a disaster, so don’t be discouraged if year one isn’t so great. 🙂
Wow your garden is looking great!! I’m jealous but so happy for you at the same time at how good it’s looking haha Hope one day I can grow my own tomatoes 😀
If you can get a hold of a 5 gallon bucket and some soil you already can! That’s how I first grew tomatoes. 😀 If you ever decide you want to give it a go, I’d be glad to share the little advice I have haha!