Well, we started our garden in March. I was so proud of myself for getting those potatoes and onions in the ground! In the past, I’ve always been lucky to get a garden in by Memorial Day, let alone to plan ahead enough for March!
For the most part, our April was warmer than usual, so near the end of the month, I thought I’d get a first phase of beans planted. I was feeling pretty good about myself and this year’s garden… then came the month of May!
Between being swamped at our dog grooming business, the husband helping his dad with their concrete business, and living our carnie life of selling Italian Ice on weekends, we have been lucky just to survive the month of May. Add in 3 of the boys playing baseball, and it’s just been ridiculous (but fun)!
We unexpectedly got part of this past weekend off, so we put those days to use by pitching in as a family to get the outside chores done. A few “befores” of the landscaping:
And, as embarrassing as it is… a “before” of the garden:
Yes folks, those are all weeds! #1 and the husband worked on the front of the house, while I worked on re-potting all of my tomato and pepper plants. I’m trying them in containers this year, as I obviously don’t have much time to weed them… we’ll see how it goes!
And (drum roll please!) here are the “after” shots…
The husband and #1 got a lot of the front landscaping done, the husband tilled the weeds from the garden for me (love that guy!), and I was able to plant more beans, zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce, and spinach. I considered our day of hard work a success! Even though we got started early, it was hot and very humid. The little boys lucked out… they got to play in the water because #1 had to do their work in addition to his own (he was complaining about his mean parents making him work on one of his days off from school)!
Of course I NEVER complained of such things when I was his age…. (me, my sisters, and dad in front of our “jungle garden” when I was younger!)
Now, if only I can stay caught up through the rest of the summer! How do you stay caught up with your gardening during the busy summer months?
This year has been an interesting year for my garden. I got a late start on some things but they are finally catching up and I’m excited to START harvesting soon. We’ve been having pretty mild falls here lately so I’m hoping to still get a few months of good tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, etc. Most of my spring plantings got eaten by my chickens so I’ve had to adjust a few things to avoid that problem in the future. They were thrilled to discover brand new carrot and spinach seedlings growing in my garden and dug up the entire bed.
The garden and yard definitely show serious signs of improvement. Now that it is well-maintained, you can always get a landscaper to do the rest while you all enjoy summer fun.
You all got a lot done. It looks great. I don’t think I am ever caught up. It is an ongoing deal.I we have a few areas that are sorely neglected… mostly on purpose and will get to them one day… way further down the line. I just try to keep the vegetable gardens under control along with the herbs garden areas and as time permits I can get something else done. Always ongoing!
Use the extra five minutes here and there that I find. You’ll find me pulling a few weeks while I wait for Mr Chiots to load up the car, while I’m walking back to the compost pile, etc. I also emply a ton of mulch which helps tremendously.
Love the house/gardens!