Garden

The days will be getting longer from here on out and the garden catalogs have started arriving.  This got me thinking of the progress I've made since I moved in the house in 2005.  I thought I would share some photos.....

BEFORE:

First thing I did- yank out the ugly bushes!!

I hauled all of the field rock by myself from my Aunt's farm and my Dad's house.

I built this garden after pulling out loads of english and poison ivy.  I had some quality compost delivered and built up the area around the tree about 5 inches.  I highly recommend waiting until things are leafing to pull vines.  I had to be put on some serious steriods for my poison ivy. 

The first year the plants didn't look so hot.  I transplanted almost everything in the sweltering heat of mid-summer.... amateur move!

AFTER:

Spring 2011-

Every good garden needs a compost bin!  Notice the pumpkin plant growing out of it.  We also had 2 renegade tomato plants coming out of the side.

This year we also did raised gardens.  This was my 2nd year growing veggies and I learn a lot every year.  I learned this year that I don't want to try cauliflower again but broccoli was easier (and tastier) than I thought.  Things I grew last year:  green beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, several tomato varieties, lots of peppers- green, yellow, orange, red, jalapeno, banana, basil, parsley, cilantro, dill, rosemary, celery, mustard greens, kale and lettuce. 

Next year I would like to add a few fruits and berries to the mix. 

Some of the Bounty: