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Bits, Pieces, & Garden Plans

DenaFebruary 21, 2014

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Yesterday I spent a couple of hours working on this year’s garden plans & ordering seeds. While we’ve had a garden in the past, this will be the first year that I am going at it full force. I’ve been researching about where to get my seeds. I feel it is important that my seeds come from a place that is aligned with my values. Is that crazy? Maybe, but I will be pouring my heart into those little seeds, and more importantly, we will be eating the fruit that they become. All of my searching led me to Johnny’s Selected Seeds. I love that it’s an employee-owned company and that they were one of the first signers of the Safe Seed Pledge. They’ve got an excellent selection of organic vegetable, flower & herb seeds — exactly what I was looking for.

I’m planning to have two primary gardens this year — one for vegetables, one for flowers & herbs. I’ve ordered:


[col1]Red Cherry Tomatoes
Gold Cherry Tomatoes
Salad Tomatoes
Romaine Lettuce
Cucumbers
Italian Eggplant
Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Snap Peas
Carrots
Bush Beans
Spinach[/col1] [col2]Yellow Zucchini
Parsley
Dill
“Bee’s Favourite” Wildflower Mix
Yarrow
Echinacea
Zinnias
Basil
Bee Balm
Pickling Cucumbers (yes, going to try pickling this year, too!)
[/col2]

I’m a bit nervous about the pressure I’ve put on myself to have a beautiful, productive garden this year. But now that I’ve ordered my seeds, I am more excited than anything. I am going to try to enjoy the process, come what may.

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After garden planning, Roman & I took a quick trip to the local garden center to pick up some houseplants to add to our collection. I’ve got to start warming up my green thumb. Then Bella modeled for me so that I could test out my new camera’s settings.

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Papa made homemade meatballs for supper. Roman had a blast eating them up & making a mess, of course.

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Happy Friday, friends! I hope that you have a lovely weekend. xo

Comments (10)

  • Katie valenti

    February 21, 2014 at 11:59 am

    Let me know if you have any questions! Especially if you’re starting seeds indoors. My garden is my favorite favorite thing!

    1. Dena

      February 21, 2014 at 12:06 pm

      Thanks, Katie! I was going to ask you when you recommend starting the seeds (indoors). I remember last year you mentioned something about starting too early? What’s the magic start time?? 🙂

      1. Katie

        February 26, 2014 at 10:48 am

        You want to start them 6 weeks before you can reasonably put them in the ground, but honestly it depends on the seeds! They’ll tell you on the package how long they should grow before they go in the ground. Just make sure you can actually put them in the ground when they’re ready to go! THAT was my problem.

        If you are starting new, and will have to dig out a place etc for them. I wouldn’t assume you’d be able to get them in the ground before May 15th. That’s what I’m shooting for this year.

        http://garden.g33kwatch.com/the-beginning-a-very-good-place-to-start/

        This shows what I used to do it.

        If there’s any piece of advice I can give you that will make all the difference in the world, and I wish I knew when I started! Spend the time/money to borrow a rototiller and till the soil where you want to garden. Then put a layer of newspaper and put more good dirt on top. The newspaper is biodegradable and it will keep the weeds from growing. Otherwise you will spend ever bit of your free time pulling weeds. Good luck love!

  • Kay

    February 21, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    I’ve spent the past few days researching and trying to get some ideas for a garden for this year. Last year was my first ever attempt at gardening and it didn’t go so well, I’m hoping that this year will go a bit better for me!

    1. Dena

      February 23, 2014 at 11:25 am

      hopefully it will be a good gardening year for both of us! 🙂

  • Suzy

    February 21, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    We were just talking about are garden just this week too. We won’t be starting with seeds, that didn’t work out so well last time, but we found a great little nursery that has such a great variety of plants, flowers, fruits and veggies. We had some amazing heirlooms tomatoes from him and our fig tree is growing so lovely. I just can’t wait for fresh veggies again! I hope that we can continue throughout the year with the garden and start our compost again this fall.

    1. Dena

      February 23, 2014 at 11:26 am

      i am nervous about starting from seed — but matthew has done it quite a bit (successfully) and he’s promised to help me. he really has quite a green thumb. hope it rubs off on me! 🙂

  • Dominique

    February 24, 2014 at 10:34 am

    I grew up with a garden it was my grandpa’s pride and joy, and the memories of picking the fresh fruit and veggies and knowing I could eat them right out of the ground was an amazing experience, some of my strongest memories. I hope your garden is plentiful.

    1. Dena

      February 24, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Veggies fresh from the earth, home-grown are the most delicious things in the world. There is something so magical about them. I hope so, too. <3

  • cynthia

    February 27, 2014 at 10:54 am

    Oh look at Roman eating! We’re still just doing cereal and (baby food) veggies… I’m waiting for our 9 month appointment to ask the doc about giving my little guy other stuff. Since he was preemie, we waited until 7 months to start food (per doctor’s suggestion). So now I’m not sure what to do next!?

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