On June 21st a thinning was in order (not the first one).....
.....there! This little garden was the most productive of all my container veggie experiments....
...with the succulent leaves of purslane as the star of the show. Who knew a "weed" could be so delicious?
Well I've been schooled!
The carrots grew amazingly well in this tiny planter, too....
.....and the greens just wouldn't quit! This particular harvest contained a surprise that I only noticed after I took this picture....
...aphids! I've heard about people eating bugs, but I passed on all that and this harvest became worm food. (Just the other day I found a link that said I could mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water and spray for aphids. Sounds safe and kind of yummy, I'll try it this year.) I didn't feel too badly about sacrificing just one salad though, since our cool summer made the harvest last and last.
By September there are a few more carrots...
....even Gizmo was interested!
Then October gave just a few more leaves before the frost shut it down. One thing I learned from growing my own salads last summer...
...plant a lot more this year! Staggered plantings will help keep the harvest going much more regularly, so I'll have all the supplies I need to eat a salad at least once a week...maybe more!
.....and the greens just wouldn't quit! This particular harvest contained a surprise that I only noticed after I took this picture....
...aphids! I've heard about people eating bugs, but I passed on all that and this harvest became worm food. (Just the other day I found a link that said I could mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water and spray for aphids. Sounds safe and kind of yummy, I'll try it this year.) I didn't feel too badly about sacrificing just one salad though, since our cool summer made the harvest last and last.
By September there are a few more carrots...
....even Gizmo was interested!
Then October gave just a few more leaves before the frost shut it down. One thing I learned from growing my own salads last summer...
...plant a lot more this year! Staggered plantings will help keep the harvest going much more regularly, so I'll have all the supplies I need to eat a salad at least once a week...maybe more!
11 comments:
Love those little carrots--perfect for me! I grew my lettuce in an old grape box last year. I love lettuce and it doesn't need a very deep pot. So fun and fast to germinate.
P.S. Did you happen to put any of those carrot seeds in the swap? :)
I'm sorry, I did not add the carrot seeds in the swap. I do have plenty to share, send me your address at mrimomma at gmail dot com. I can send you some "Parmex" round carrots too if you like :)
Those carrots look like a lot of fun. I'm planting a couple this year too in a container.
You'll have a habit once you do grow them, the carrots at the store can't even come close!
Damned aphids...
were the carrots sweet?
v.
VERY!
That's an impressive container harvest, especially the carrots! Beautiful purslane... too bad about the aphids.
Thanks Eliza, the harvests really surprised me. I'm planning to plant oregano next to my purslane this year, it's supposed to repel aphids. Here's hoping!
Salad once a week sounds great. I need to make more of an effort (or get a bigger yard) at veggie gardening this summer. What are your "have to have" veggies?
Christine in Alaska
Ironically I actually have the space for a big garden, but I prefer containers. You could set up something similar in very little space, and I think it's more fun! My "must-have" veggie would have to be summer squash for sure, I absolutely LOVE it!
Post a Comment