Garden Project(s)

I finally took the seed packets I bought 2 years ago out of the fridge with the REAL intention this time of actually planting them. I did germination tests on all of them and was amazed to find that 100% of the broccoli seeds are viable, and maybe 50-75% of the tomato, pepper, carrots, and spinach viable. The carrots, onions, and spinach are still in the baggies - I went ahead and planted the broccoli, pepper, and tomato seeds to get them started.

Broccoli

So, here's what I did. We brought some old wood back from the mountains and recycled it into a raised garden bed! Marcos went back to the mountains on Thursday, so I did it ALL BY MYSELF. I'm proud :). First I had to cut the grass (with a machete) and without a pick-aze or a hoe, I turned up the dirt. I used a shovel to basically dig holes everywhere, then smoothed it again with a rake. Then I built the frame for the bed. One of the pieces of recycled wood turned out to be shorter than the other 3, plus all of the boards had at least one end that was rotted....but I got it built and I think for a garden bed it will be fine!

That was Thursday. Yesterday, cleaned the pila with Leyla, and planted a small red hibiscus in the front wall garden. Today, I planted a rose in the side wall garden. I was so pleased that it bloomed - it's one of the ones I rooted! It is a pinkish-orange rose, really pretty! When I went to plant it I found an ant nest :( ugh. I had to spray before I could dig, and the dirt was so rocky, I had to dig an extra big hole and bring dirt from the back to fill in around it.

Hibiscus

Rose

Rose, impatiens, dahlia, hibiscus, and more impatiens.

After Leyla fell asleep for her nap, I started work on the other beds. The dogs have made a MESS of them, so I got to work cleaning up around the edges, clipping them a bit shorter, and cutting out the dead branches. I tried my best to put stakes in the spots where they have decided to make their beds, so hopefully they won't lay there anymore! I picked up ALL the trash around the yard and burned it. Then I weeded all the beds - which is tough because we have this thorny weed that is AWFUL and I can't pull it up to save my life! I had to just cut them right at their base so they don't just take over. I guess I'll have to keep doing that unless I can find a way to dig them up - or buy some strong rubber gloves so I can pull them!

Now, when Marcos gets back, he'll be surprised to see all the work I've done! Next thing is to bring rich, fertilized soil from the mountains to fill up the raised veggie garden. I also want to build some window boxes to liven up the windows. Or hang some pots. I love hanging flowers so I'm excited to plan something!