I’m several weeks behind and didn’t even have time to plant the onions I bought, but today I did manage to get the raised beds cleared out and a few things planted. I used my tiny chainsaw on the monster okra plants, which worked great.
Last week was sunny with the temperature in the 90’s, and 2 days ago a strong cold front came in and this morning at 6:45 am, we got down to 32.0F for a bit.
I removed the season extenders from my tomato plants. I planted the tomatoes 2 weeks early and didn’t need the season extenders at all this year.
Since I had to get out for essential materials at Home Depot, I walked through their garden section and picked up 4 of their outrageously priced plants: 3 peppers and basil. Aiden and I got them transplanted, watered, and piled a thick layer of old leaves around everything.
Aiden and I went on the tour of Texas Worm Ranch that was set up just for the members of North Texas Vegetable Gardeners. A nasty thunderstorm moved in while we were there and we hung out in the bathroom because the winds were so bad the roof next door was flying off.
After we left the worm farm, we went over to Carol Garrison’s urban homestead and she gave us a tour of her front yard vegetable garden, chickens, tropical garden, rainwater harvesting, greenhouse, composting, and fish. She dug up some of her blackberry bushes and a special okra plant and set us home with these plants! I came home and put them in the ground. I just checked on them this morning and they seem to be doing good so far.
The Pomegranate Tree I planted last fall didn’t bud or leaf out this spring, so I called Stark Bro’s and they shipped me a new one with zero hassle! (This was tree 16 shown here) It was delivered by FedEx today, so I replaced it.
I also picked up one more pepper plant at the CCMGA Plant Sale this morning, along with a few flowers and a thyme plant. After these were planted, I mulched the beds with leaves. I still left areas un-mulched where I have seeds planted.
I picked up some pepper plants and another tomato plant from McKinney Feed and Seed yesterday, and planted them today, along with some lime beans and bush beans. Sometime last week, I planted cucumbers, cantaloupe, and watermelon. I took pictures of my new trees also.
Aiden helped me pick tomatoes, peppers, and a few okra. The okra are just starting to produce. We found hornworms on the tomatoes, so we need to check those daily. I cut the tomato plants way back because they were so overgrown and intertwined. When planted as close as they are, you are supposed to keep the suckers cut, which I have failed to do. I had some carrots that should have been harvested months ago. They were not too tasty.
Most everything I have planted is doing great. The snap peas are loaded and ready to harvest. Onions are getting big. I have some peppers and tomatoes on the vine.
The blackberry bushes I planted a few years ago are loaded with berries. All my new blackberry transplants are alive and doing well. Continue reading
The local Ace hardware store was selling plants for $2 each. They are a little smaller than what I’ve seen at the big box stores, but half the price. I picked up 3 tomatoes and 4 peppers and planted them.
The snap peas, carrots, turnips, radish, beets, and lettuce have all sprouted now too. Continue reading