What I've Learned So Far

We have been here in Leland NC just a little over a year and here is what I have learned so far,

* My new growing zone is 8a
* Last frost date is March 17th
* It rains a lot in the summer
* Spring onions grow randomly in your yard
* Little black ants bite
* Tomatoes don't grow very well here
* Lots of frogs
* Lightning bugs
* Lots of fence lizards (they are so cute!)
* Copperhead snakes (have not seen one, yet.)
* Yard is slow to drain in some areas
* Soil is sand over top of clay
* Hot
* Humid
* You need a screened in porch or patio

I played around with some ideas on a garden planner. I was able to use photos I took of my backyard. It's a start.

Lots and Lots of photos

So sorry for being MIA. Here is a photo update....

It's been four years and no sign of fruit on the banana.
The reason for this is there may be too many pups in the pot.
Time to cut the apron strings on two of the smaller pups.

Now mom might have the energy to bear fruit. 

So far no leaf curl on the nectarine.

The bees have been out in force.

Lemons

Mint

Lettuce

Cucumbers

Lettuce

Hungarian peppers

Carrots

Lettuce and carrots

Pole beans

Onions

Bush Beans

Broccoli

And more lettuce

Summer squash. The four in the back are vining or so said the package.

Harvested on Sunday for dinner

Carrots

Carrots harvested on Sunday for dinner this week.

Cucumber

Raspberries are showing some color

Snow peas

Spring onions

Lots of great things going on over at the Haven Garden. I'll be there this Saturday. We are getting great support from local businesses... big name businesses... I'll post more when I get the OK. Other things going on... I'm working on getting my teacher certification to teach Square Foot Gardening. Seems to be a lot of interest but no classes in the area. Wish me luck!

A Garden Insectary

A new friend of mine Debbie Ballentine owner of Native Heart Landscapes sent me a link for Natural  Pest Control. I will be telling you more about Debbie in an up coming blog post for the Haven Garden. But until then I hope you find this link useful.

In My Garden 

Last weekend I took down one of the greenhouses to make room for my potted fruit trees. Removing the greenhouse also allows the small strawberry bed access to more sun.

Banana, Blueberries, Avocado and Nectarine

The Day Avocado put on a lot of new growth over the Winter. Two more years and I should have my first avocado.

The planting grids have been installed in beds 3 and 4.

I planted 4 squares of carrots in bed 3 and in bed 4 I planted  4 squares of lettuce, 3 broccoli and 2 cauliflower.

Bed 2 is looking good.

Carrots

Spring Onions

Pak Choy

In the Greenhouse the seedlings are doing very well. I will need to transplant the tomatoes into bigger pots soon.

Peppers and tomatoes

Cucumbers and tomatoes

That's it for now. If we get a break in the rain tomorrow you can find me in the garden.

Giddy About Onions

I had just about given up on the onions I had planted last Fall to over winter as I had not seen much growth... until now....It's funny how you can walk through the garden and not see something right in front of your eyes. I was planting cilantro seeds in bed 2 yesterday and didn't see this until today... see photo below.

Some of the onions in bed 4 are bigger than my index finger.

Also walking through the garden today I spotted this...

The acorn squash is bearing fruit.

Keep your eyes open.. you will be amazed at what you see.

Garden Forks, Birds and Bed 2

Dan Started it
Granny dared us
Ribbit has the cutest little one
Here are my....

Garden Forks....
Click on photos for a larger view...



You know it's spring when you have a pair of birds building a nest in your morning glory vine. They were busy all weekend flying around the yard gathering materials for their nest. If I was spending too much time near the nest they would sit up on the fence and chrip at me. I guess I won't be cutting back the Morning Glory this year.



Bed 2 is now completely planted...



In stead of potting up the cucumbers I planted them in bed 2 in six out of nine squares of the back row. I also planted some cucumber seeds to replace the ones that didn't make it. The bed will stay covered for the next few weeks to keep them warm. The night time temps are in the low to mid 40's with day time temp ranging from the mid 60's to low 70's



I have a wide range of plants growing in this bed. Cucumbers, purple and green broccoli, parsley, onions, lettuce, and cilantro.




Each square was treated to some home made compost, all natural fertilizer
and a deep watering.







I have been over wintering some onions but I don't have much hope for them as they are not looking so great.

Happy Spring!