grow my own vegetables

and a daily delight. even when things are wiltey or eaten, there’s been consistently been some cause for hope and for the last two weeks – something to eat. veggies persisted in containers despite crazy obstacles (like no drainage at all for nearly a month in a couple of cases). the key has been diversity – there’s enough going on at different stages that somebody looks happy and healthy at any given moment.

I seem to have gotten on well on sheer luck and sun and water. Looking forward to acquiring more knowledge and experience as I continue to cultivate.

lettuce regularly now. And the kale is pretty monstrous. I’m astonished by the speediness of leafy greens. They’re just zooming away out there. When I go to look at them, they’re bigger.

(and my mom, via photos.) I think I’ve inspired some more gardeners!

And I picked cuke #2.

my bf is still all: yeah girl, when you put plants and seeds in the ground and water them – they grow.

He grew up on a farm.

Me, I’m like – woo hoo – it’s the miracle of LIFE! they get bigger every day – what the heck’s going on?!!

and carrots too…

the cukes are over 3” long woohoo! the kale and argula is thinned and over 2” high.

Pulled a big fuzzy caterpillar off the chard and it seems to be recovering (the leaves, not the caterpillar, which hasn’t been spotted in a few days).

Basil seems to be suffering from some ailment – a little droopy (overwatering?). Also one of two tomato plants is getting yellow and kind of withery, plenty of flowers, no fruits. root rot?

Gave everyone a little fertilizer and waiting to see if there’s any impact.

are sprouting. cukes are busting out all over. slug (?) or somebody is eating much of the swiss chard, will have to mount an ambush. as completely novice container veggie gardner, I have the enthusiasm of a convert. every bud is cause for wild celebration and shameless boasting.

emerging. it’s a round, pale variety. very sweet. so excited. planting seeds this weekend hoping that they have enough time, warmth to make it for a coupla months. should try to find someone with some local expertise on this…

I know, it’s September. But it’s crazy hot and my garage roof is going to have good sun for the forseeable future, so. Eggplant, cuke, tomatoes, basil, chives, scallions and chard plants are all still hanging in – and getting bigger daily.

Meanwhile bought some seeds, maybe naively – carrots, parsley, mesclun, arugula, kale. Worst case scenario – kill some now, kill some later. But I’m going to give these seeds a go and see how far they get.

In my kitchen – the aphid/ant combo is laying waste to the cilantro and spearmint. Everyday I beat back the aphids and when I look – the little buggers are back again and the herbs are a little more withered and worn.

there in containers on the roof of my garage. working to get into new habits of garden maintenance, the speedy growing is happy incentive!

is an excellent source for small plants. I now have a bunch of them hanging out in a sunny place in my kitchen. waiting for the evening cool to transplant into my new containers.

feels like a big responsibility to have all of these living things on my hands.

at the hardware store, when I’m supposed to be shopping for something to fix my sink. They’re just so attractive, the little packets.

I resisted, for now. Think I need a little more research before I go crazy with the seed buying. Plus I shouldn’t be planting until I’m back from travels in July.

Happily I’m in SoCal where the growing happens all year round.