THE LABORS OF LOVE!

There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling. 

~Mirabel Osler

Here is a recent picture of my gardening area!  I spend so much time in this wonderful area that my awesome husband has created for me!  It is definitely a wonderful therapy to be able to nuture tiny seeds to thriving plants that will become food for my family.  I am evolving this great area on a daily basis and will keep pictures posted so you all can see how it is doing!  I have direct- sowed beans, well as more squash and zucchini.  The cooler weather has slowed down the germination process and I am still waiting for the tiny seedlings to emerge!  I am having great luck with Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, and my peas are still coming on strong but have not bloomed as of yet!  Many things are changing in this wonderful garden!

Happy Gardening and Best of luck to all the gardeners out there!
Mindy

PLANT YOUR TOMATOES WHEN THE PEONIES AND BLACK LOCUST BLOOM!

I have been acquiring a great deal of gardening knowledge by reading Jerry Baker's Book Terrific Tomatoes, Sensational Spuds, and Mouth-Watering Melons.  This book is completely full of great advice and old-fashioned wisdom for gardening!  I have actually taken a lot of the information I have read and created a "cheat sheet" with the hints, tips, and information all on one piece of paper.  I then laminated this piece of paper, front and back, so that the paper can be taken to the garden with me when I am working!  Jerry's Grandma Putt always told him to plant your tomatoes when the Peonies and Black Locust bloom, and that is just what I did.  I had my transplants hardened off and ready for planting just in time!  My tomatoe plants have come along well, and I was very excited to get them in the ground.  As many of you know I also plant my tomatoes in handing buckets upside down!  I have also planted some plants in the ground as well.  I am hoping for a great crop of tomatoes this year!  Time will tell!

I also followed the advice of the additives Jerry recommends to use when planting each plant.  In the hole where I was planting each tomatoe I included some compost and well-rotted manure, a handful of Bonemeal, and a teaspoon of Epsom salt.   

He also advises to water your tomatoes with fish fertilizer two weeks after transplanting, after the first flowers appear, when fruits are golf ball size, and when first ripe tomatoe is spotted. 

If you get a chance, check out Jerry's book, you won't be sorry that you did!  I have learned a lot and will put it to the test this year to see how the advice works!