The Garden {It grows!}

It grows!!! Kind of. We had a crazy amount of the rain the past few weeks. I've been worried about rot and bugs and slime and all kinds of stuff. So far we seem to be hanging in there. 

We have beans! These little buddies are growing on a plant that the Big One planted as a seed at school. We harvested a few the other night and the girls ate them with their dinner. 

Kohlarabi! I'm so excited about these plants. We've never planted them before and they're really cool to watch grow. Unfortunately...

our biggest one split in half. I'm guessing it's an uneven watering/moisture situation. Unfortunately nothing I could really do. But, do I pick it? Can we still eat it? I'm a Kohlrabi newbie. Any guidance?

Jerusalem Artichoke. Huge!

Zucchini

Sweet Pickle Peppers. Aren't these gorgeous?

Early Girls

I'm a little worried about this guy. It's my Mortgage Lifter tomato. It has a slight blight look about it. Very reminiscent of 2009. I'm not pulling it yet. Hoping it'll turn around. 

Hello, Cucumbers! What nice pickles you'll make. 

Crookneck Squash

A sea of wild mint. And I really mean a sea. It's crazy!

And...we have Hydrangea! We planted these two plants three years ago and have yet to have them bloom, until this year. Hurray!

What's coming up in your garden? Any big hits or misses? I'd love to hear!

Happy Wednesday!

-Erin 

The Garden {post #2}

My allergies are kicking my ass today. At one point I actually thought I was going to puke from the pain in my face. I spent a few HOURS on my butt on the sofa w/ the Big One while the Little One napped and felt crazy sorry for myself. Thankfully the Zyrtec and Advil kicked in just when the UPS dude arrived with the last (almost last) of my plants! HURRAY! So the three of us went out and planted some stuff.

Here's the final list of what we planted:

Burpless Hybrid Cucumbers
Burpee Pickle Cucumbers
Diva Cucumbers
Bush Pickle Cucumbers
Pole Beans
Crookneck Squash
Zucchini
Eight-Ball Zucchini
Ichabod Eggplant
Black Beauty Eggplant
Kohlrabi
Serrano Peppers
Sweet Pickle Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers
Hot Cherry Peppers
Orange and Green Bell Pepper
Jerusalem Artichoke

The Tomatoes:

Oxheart
Amish Rose
Black Brandywine
Brandywine
Early Girl
Violet Jasper
Mortgage Lifter
French Marmara

PHEW! We're waiting on some Yellow Taxi and Wild Cherry tomatoes..but for now, we're done!

Come on beauties. Grow!

Happy Gardening!

-Erin 

Not Really Wordless Wednesday - The Garden

It might not look like much right now but come July....

Planted: Purple Vesper Tomato, Early Girl Tomato, Mortgage Lifter Tomato, Pink Brandywine Tomato, Jalapeño Pepper, Cherry Pepper, Bell Pepper, Zucchini, Eight Ball Zucchini, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kohlrabi, Diva Cucumbers, Kirby Cucumbers, Bush Cucumbers. 

Waiting on 6 more varieties of Heirloom Tomatoes, Serrano Peppers, Cranberry Beans, and Green Beans. And I have 12 different herbs in pots already planted on the deck. 

So, what else should I plant? I'll still have two rows to fill. I'm all ears!!

Happy Wednesday!

-Erin 

Five for Friday - our weird world

1. My 4 year old is waking up with nightmares every night, again. This was happening for awhile and we thought we fixed it with an earlier bedtime. Well..they're BAAAAACK. And they suck. It wouldn't be so awful if she didn't just sit in her bed screaming for us. We've told her time and again to just come into our room. But nope, sits and screams. And SOMEHOW her little sister sleeps through it. That kid is so chill she probably wakes up, hears her screaming, thinks nothing of it and goes back to sleep. I'm at a loss. Last night she told us it was too dark in her room. Her night light did just break so maybe a new night light? What else? A dream catcher? Any ideas at all??? We're running on empty over here and there's only so much coffee one can drink in a day.

2. My two year old has decided her rain boots are her new "lovey". Like she wont take them off. Last night she wanted to take a bath with them. She actually slept with them on. Yup, slept with them. I didn't feel like fighting it. Her big sister used to sleep with a deck of cards but rain boots are a little weird. I guess it's better than a banana peel or a garden tool.

3. Gap is giving out "surprise" discount coupons this weekend. 20%, 30% or 40% off. I got one yesterday for 30% off! So I bought the girls a bunch of summer/spring clothes and me a few pairs of slightly odd fitting pants, I'm not sold on them yet, and this hat. It's a weird hat. I don't know. Should it stay or should it go?

I realize my face and eyes are crazy puffy. That's what happens when you don't sleep and you live in a pollen infested environment. That reminds me, I need more Zyrtec.

4. We're starting our garden this weekend!! I'll be updating every week with pictures and random garden stuff. I'm so excited to try out some new plants this year. Last year we grew 16 different kinds of heirloom tomatoes. I'm placing my tomato order today and hope to try some different ones from last year.  And I'm planning on making a new pickle a week during the summer! I just saw a recipe for pickled radishes that I have to try. So think sunny, warm, happy planting thoughts for us this weekend.

5. Happy Friday! I need to go put some eye compresses on these puffy eyes and make another cup of joe.

Happy Weekend!
-Erin