Authentic Compassion

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Tin can gardening?

IT was a cruddy year for gardening in Parker County - the reality of farming or gardening in Texas includes the occasional poor return year. The other problem would have to be our vegetable garden spot. We located the large, heavily tilled and fertilized 25 ft. by 25 ft. garden patch behind the workshop, completely out of sight from the house. You've probably heard "out of sight out of mind".
Having my garden spot so completely out of my sight - definitely contributed to being out of my mind (both forgetting to tend the garden and feeling a couple of bricks short of a full load!) DH and I (mostly DH) removed the elaborate sprinkler system he'd installed in the garden and burned off the knee high weeds. He used the weed eater to neaten things up (and eliminated about half my herb garden but how can I complain about it when he did all the work??) THEN we planted a genetic dwarf Bonanza Peach tree and a nice sized Brown Turkey Fig. DH next installed a NEW sprinkler system making sure everything was spaced so a riding lawnmower could be maneuvered easily in previously weed infested garden area.


Now we move to our new idea - we are experimenting with using a galvanized container with drainage holes drilled in it. The big tin can is placed not ten feet from the breakfast room windows and back door. Theory is - if I see the "garden" constantly there is higher probability I'll take good care of it. Right now we have 3 tomato plants, bok choy, red leaf lettuce (which is NOT doing well at all) and two kinds of summer squash. It does seem very late in the growing season to be trying all this but we normally have mild winters and shouldn't have a killing frost for at least 45 days. So we'll see - I think it is fun and if it works - we'll add more containers for a decent veggie garden.



I'm blessed with a clever and resourceful Mr. Buhl here on Buhlaland and that is very good.




4 comments:

Lolosblog said...

I love container gardens, I just don't have the patience. I walk/drive/park right next to my flower garden every day. If DH didn't water I don't think it would ever get done. I do weed it regularly though with Mattie May's help!

I hope it works for you and will be watching the progress.

LindaSue said...

I don't have the patience to keep starting over with our big garden and it feels criminal to live in the country and NOT at least grow our own tomatoes! Thanks for dropping by Brandi - your Mattie May is great help in so many ways!

Anonymous said...

so glad to see your fig tree...they grow really fast...ours was about 6 ft. when we put it in 3 years ago and now its over 12 ft.! they have the most delicious figs so you will be enjoying them...be sure to water though!

Pam said...

Aw, look at those cute baby plants! I never cease to be amazed at the wonder of growing your own food. I mean, you plant a seed, and it gives you food! God is so amazing!