I have to say I seriously have been lovin' stopping by the blogs that have linked up and looking at what is happening in their gardens. I'm so jealous about what plants gardeners in the South have already got well-established (peppers and corn...) and see that I could have a few more things planted in my neck of the woods.
Hmmm.
Well, before we get to the links, I have a confession.
And this is a serious gardening confession, folks. I'm sharing to keep it real here and to let you know that it doesn't matter how long you've been gardening, things have a way of, well...going in a direction you didn't want.
My tomatoes that I started from seed back in March are in these shelters. I posted about these haphazard tomato shelters last year when I documented the steps I go through to try and get tomatoes as early as possible here in the Northwest.
Well...that is, short of a greenhouse, which I'd LOVE to have someday. Especially after I found this under the covers this last weekend:
This is a Roma tomato, and I have two others that look the same. Ugh. After all that babying in the house.
What happened? My weak point in the whole grow-your-own-from-seeds thing is the "hardening off" period, that time when you need to put your coddled seedlings outside for short periods over the course of a week. You're supposed to gradually increase the amount of time outside until they are staying out all 24 hours of the day, then transplant.
Of course, that time outside shouldn't be when it's hailing, or when it's 34 degrees or up against the house when the sun decides to shine creating an 80-degree oven.
And definitely not all those things in the period of a week.
And it certainly doesn't help if the gardener forgets them overnight on only the second day out of the pampered inside environment. Yea- the second day that's supposed to be two to three hours out.
But you know, every year gardening is about successes and failures, and it seems this year is no exception. Maybe I just got the failure part out of the way at the beginning?
Hey- a girl can hope.
I do have a nice box of lettuces all ready to go, though, (the center is ready for early bush beans) so I had to take this picture to leave you with a good thought. :-)
I do have a nice box of lettuces all ready to go, though, (the center is ready for early bush beans) so I had to take this picture to leave you with a good thought. :-)
Now I'm really looking forward to seeing what you've got that will inspire me.
I'm jealous of your lettuce! I'm still hoping mine comes up after the deluge of rain we've had the last few weeks! We did finally see a few radishes peek out of the ground! The weeds however are flourishing....:(
ReplyDeleteI too am SO jealous of your lettuce. Mine are smaller than a twig... :( I'm hardening off my warm weather plants right now, so we'll see how it goes. I'm going to be gone for 3.5 days over the weekend, so that is going to disrupt my schedule! On my last blog post, I wrote about my current mortal enemies. http://blog.joelandlauren.com
ReplyDeleteThat is sad about your tomatoes! How many tomato plants do you typically grow? We put nine in the ground and I still dont think it will be enough for us.
ReplyDeleteYour lettcue looks fantastic! I wish I could grow it, but have never been successful. I may have to do some research and rethink it!
ReplyDeleteI should let you all know that that bed of lettuce was started inside in March and transplanted out as soon as the beds were vole-proofed. I, too, have rows of little lettuce seedlings just coming up. :-)
ReplyDeleteShannan- I plant 18 tomatoes because I have different kinds: 2 extra early (which don't produce all season), 8 main season & heirlooms, 6 paste, and two grape tomatoes. Out of this we eat fresh, of course, but also get a 10 month supply of our freezer marinara, dried tomatoes, pizza sauce, chutney, etc. I do give some away, but nothing really goes to waste!
Your lettuce is georgous! Mine all died before I ever got them out of the house. :( Do you think it is too late to try to start some new ones?
ReplyDeleteTuesday Garden Party is my favorite day of the week. Great looking lettuce. I blogged about my flower pots this week. Stop by for a Latte and check them out.
ReplyDeleteHi Jami, thanks for the garden party... I have enjoyed visiting everyone's garden from the comforts of home:) I hope it is ok that I linked to a previous post; I just really wanted to join the fun:)
ReplyDeleteI have never been good at hardening off seedlings and have about given up:( I now have to either buy starts or plant directly outdoors. But you are correct, the weather certainly hasn't been too helpful!
Sorry about the tomatoes Jami! Thanks for hosting such a fun Tuesday party! I love stopping by and peaking at other people's gardens! We've sure had some funky weather! Hope it improves ASAP!
ReplyDeleteJami, I was trying to leave a comment for Holly but I am unable?? So, Holly if you read this... your plants look great, and I think it is ok to cheat:) let's just call it creative gardening, shall we?
ReplyDeleteJenelle- You can keep planting lettuce right until it gets too hot (there are even some "summer" lettuces, but I have to start them inside and plant out with shade). In fact, you do want to plant it every week or two to keep a good supply. I start the first ones inside to get this early crop, and then direct seed more. I just put another row in this afternoon!
ReplyDeleteHeather- Most definitely OK to link up a past post!
That Lettuce is beautiful! I am trying Brandywine Red tomatoes in my garden this year - but in one of those upside down planters off my front porch. We have so many deer around here, they eat everything that I have tried to grow (tomato wise) in the past.
ReplyDeleteThanks for inviting me to participate in the Tuesday Garden Party! Hope to get on the ball to actually post on Tuesdays with you all!
Happy Dirty Garden Fingers to everyone!!!
Marsha- Glad you came by & I look forward to seeing more!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your email Jami! I hope the rest of your plants weathered the crazy weather we've had this week! I got home from work yesterday to try to save my tomatoes. It was crazy windy, raining and maybe hailing. Today was more ugly weather. I drove to work in pouring rain (huge drops) and HAIL! My poor plants! I hope they're okay!
ReplyDeleteHeather-thanks for you comments. I think I fixed my comment link. Let me know if it's still broken. I agree it's okay to cheat. =0) I don't feel tooo bad about it. I was just feeling all proud of myself for actually having plants germinate this year. I wasn't sure I had green thumb-iness. At least it's a good learning process. I'll know what to do better next year! Thanks for the encouragement!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'd love to participate in your Garden Party. Hopefully I can come up with some good photos to share. Have a great weekend....I signed up to follow your blog too!
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