April 11, 2012
The Gardener
This past weekend, we finally got this neglected, overgrown, who-knows-what’s-lurking-in-there corner of the yard cleaned out, edged, and mulched. It looks like a flower bed, but the ground is not prepared to plant anything in it because my intent is to use it as a container garden. If I am to have any hope of growing things successfully, I think my best shot is containers. Containers that are just steps from the back door and right next to the watering hose.
Anyway, Anna said, “I like the new garden!” Aww, thanks honey. “Now we need to plant some flowers in it. You want me to help you do that today?” Well, my eager aspiring gardener had to wait a couple of days, but on Monday, we walked (yes, walked! I love this neighborhood!) down to the hardware store to let her pick out some flower seeds. She chose marigolds. Not my favorite, but I think they aren’t too hard to grow.
Let’s hope something sprouts!
Comments(5)
Anna has the most wonderful smile.
she makes everything beautiful
Hey, Jennifer!
Easy & rewarding for kids to grow & great for containers:
Marigolds (great choice, Anna!)(also edible)
Radishes (big, easy to handle seeds)
Bush beans
Carrots (the baby kind)
Basil (any variety)
Container style tomatoes
Cucumbers (use at least a 3 gallon pot)
Summer lettuce
Squash (see cucumbers)
Nasturtiums (edible flowers & leaves, great colors, big seeds)
Happy gardening!
Martha Kiley
Thanks! I already grow basil (the only edible thing I’ve had success with thus far), but maybe we’ll try carrots. Anna likes those. Is it too late to plant them this year?
Since I’m kind of getting a late start, I was planning to try just a couple of things this year but then really get going next year.
I’d welcome suggestions for containers as well. Small flower pots are a dime a dozen it seems, but large ones are harder to come by without spending a fortune. I’d like to “think outside the box” and repurpose other (preferably free) containers to grow things in.
You can plant now anything I mentioned. I have some black plastic nursery pots if you want them, not sure what sizes, but some will be over three gallons. I’ve used kitty litter buckets in the past, with drainage holes punched in the bottom. Plastic waste baskets can get the same treatment & can be had at Dollar Tree. Peck & bushel baskets will work as containers for a couple of seasons. If you know anyone who uses those institutional sized cans of vegetables, those cans make great containers; again, punch holes in the bottom. Check flea markets & yard sales for stuff you can retask. Also, don’t forget that y’all can have a fall garden too, replant hot weather stuff in July for October crops.