Miracles Do Happen!

I mentioned a while back that I thought I would give gardening a try.  After all … I have the time for it!  I was quite excited about doing a garden this year, although to be honest, I wasn’t giving it much hope.  You see … I have a black thumb instead of a green thumb … or so I thought!

I really have no idea what I am doing when it comes to planting a garden but I am finding out (for next year) what NOT to do.   Apparently things like tomato plants need room to grow and spread.  Not knowing this, I planted 6 tomato plants in a row about 3 to 4 inches apart.  When I went to the plant store to get tomato cages, I noticed that the cages were really big at the top.  I had heard that tomato plants need to have a cage around it for support but I also knew there was no way I would be able to get 6 cages around the closely planted plants.  I asked the lady if there were smaller cages because these wouldn’t fit the area I had planted.  When I described how I had planted the tomatoes in a row, you should have seen the shocked look on her face!  I knew instantly I had made a gardening boo boo.  She suggested that I replant some of the plants.  She told me to take every second plant and move it somewhere else.  We had a good laugh and I quickly explained that I knew nothing about gardening.  I got the feeling that she agreed with me.

I must admit, it has been a lot of fun watching the garden grow.  Every day I go out in the morning with my watering can and give the plants a drink.  I say “Good morning my little darlings.  Are you going to grow for me today?”  I heard that it was good if you talk to the plants.  Just make sure nobody is around you when you do it, or they might think you’re crazy.  But it must be working because my garden is growing!  J

I’ve taken some photos of the garden and when I looked at them, I realized that they were taken one week apart.  I couldn’t believe the difference a week makes!  It won’t be long before we get to actually eat something from the garden.  I’ve planted tomatoes (of course), peas, green beans, iceberg lettuce, carrots, beets, cucumbers, corn on the cob, and last week I planted spinach that my niece from Holland sent me.  Would you believe it … the spinach is up already!!  Either the soil in PEI is amazing or I’ve developed a green thumb!  Thinking about it … I’m sure it’s the soil.  J

So here is my question for the readers of this blog, whom I’m sure garden more than I.  How do I know when things like beets and carrots, (that grow underground) are ready to be picked?  I would hate to waste any food by picking something too early.  I think I can figure out things like peas, green beans and corn because you can actually see them but the other items are a mystery to me.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This photo was taken June 30th.
It has lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and peas along the back.

This photo was taken on July 8th. One week later.
It has lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and peas along the back.

This photo was taken July 14th.
It has lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and peas along the back.

This photo was taken on June 30th.
It has corn, beets, carrots and green beans along the back.

This photo was taken on July 8th.
It has corn, beets, carrots and green beans along the back.

This photo was taken on July 14th.
It has corn, beets, carrots and green beans along the back.

I can't get over that they are doing so well.
It must be my morning chats with them.

One week after I planted the spinach and it is already starting to come up!

I give them a healthy drink of water.

The green beans have pretty purple flowers growing.

I know .... I'm a happy gardener!

I also planted these for the deck.

Aren't they pretty?