31 Days of Gardening

I've been gardening at the Fenway Victory Gardens for 4 weeks now. Here is what the plot looked like the day we picked it out:

(April 25th-Day 1)

Here is the drastically improved look 4 weeks later:

(May 22nd-Day 28)

After this weekend I really felt that the garden was coming together and starting to show some real signs of life and future vegetables! Here's a peek at what is springing to life in plot Z-1:

-Broccoli-

-Leeks-

-Greens-

-Beets-

-Peppers-

-Tomatoes-

-Herbs-

Missing form the photo's: Cabbage, Onion, Carrots, Spinach, Potato, Kentucky Wonder pole bean, Ottawa Cranberry pole bean, Garlic Chives, & Sage.

For the Beans, Potato, Garlic Chives & Sage seedlings have not sprouted yet or are just beginning to sprout. (A trellis and a pair of makeshift trellis' have been installed for the beans and await their arrival)

The Cabbage, Onion, and Carrots have developed very slowly so there isn't even enough to take pictures of.

The Spinach is another story. Some piece in the row are starting to look like spinach, others have clearly been bothered by the encroaching bindweed which we are doing our best to keep up with.

I suspect some of the seedlings which are slowly to develop were either planted late or are the victims of soil which developed a crust after a few rough rain storms. It's still early and there is plenty to grow so stay tuned!!

Garden Progress Report!

Some things are progressing quite nicely others not so much. Here is a quick overview on the goings-on at the plot.

My neighboring plot has a large rose bush that grows alongside the fence we share. The roses are starting to bloom. Here is a rather resilient rose that grew through the fence and bloomed on my side. I believe that the rose is 'The Fairy Rubra Rose' based on some rudimentary internet sleuthing.

Pictured below is a bud off of the same Fairy Rubra Rose bush:

Alongside our gate we also have a 6 foot tall wild rose bush that provides some protection from intruders and some cover for our tool area. I spotted a few of the beautiful small white roses blooming. From the looks of it we will be inundated with tiny white roses very soon:

On the vegetable growing front things are doing pretty well. I was concerned with the incredibly hard rain we received on Tuesday after I had transplanted my broccoli, cilantro and tomato seedlings to the garden on Monday afternoon. Some of the plants looked like they took a bit of a beating in the rain, but I think the seedlings are young enough that they have plenty of time to bounce back. Below are pictures of relatively healthy looking tomato and broccoli seedlings:

Here is a quick rundown on what is & isn't growing in our plot. Our leek transplants & broccoli seedlings are doing very well. The carrots are starting to show some signs of life, I was concerned the top layer of soil had crusted over to much for them to break through. The potato trench looks great but hasn't seen any signs of life yet. Onion seedlings are coming very slowly, as are the cabbage and romaine lettuces. I have a feeling the romaine and cabbage were planted too late to grow to a healthy size before the heat of summer arrives, but we shall see.

Continuing with greens the spinach seems to be doing well and the mesclun mix is flourishing, as are the beets. Our dill and sage that was planted last week has started to come in, but the chives and garlic chives are taking their time. The cilantro seedlings looked quite happy as well.

Half of my tomato seedlings were a little droopy from the rain but the other half seemed to be flourishing. I managed to salvage 4 tomato cages from a fellow gardener which was nice because when I arrived at my plot yesterday I discovered my brand new bamboo stakes which I was going to use for tomatoes and a pole bean trellis had been stolen. This brings to light the disadvantages of gardening in a community setting. The gardens are located in a heavily trafficked area. I guess I have to be more careful when storing some of my tools and supplies.

Without the ability to set up my bean trellis I was only able to plant 2 small sections of beans. I choose the wonderful looking Ottawa Cranberry Beans that Daphne of Daphne's Dandelions sent me last fall. Kentucky Wonder will have to wait until Sunday. If all goes according to plan Sunday should also see some cucumber and zucchini seeds put in the ground as well.

The extended forecast looks pretty good, warming up for a few more days before showers roll in middle of next so the overall outlook is pretty great!

Seedlings!

Gail and I picked up our seedlings from the Natick Community Organic Farm this afternoon!

Peppers and Tomatoes:

Nasturtium & Sunflowers:

Broccoli, Cilantro, Morning Glory & Borage:

The folks at the farm hardened off all but the Peppers so most of these will be going in the ground just as soon as it gets a little warmer and I have the time to plant them. Not all of the seedlings looked healthy and full of life after sitting out all day in the unseasonable cold, getting picked up, and jostled on the ride home. Specifically the morning glories looked worse for wear but I've watered all the seedlings and will be keeping them in sunny windows until they get put in the ground. Wish them luck!