My crooked little garden......

**Daisygirl** · 05-23-2011, 01:53 PM

Trumpets blaring....

Here it is - the beginning of my veggie garden.

Today, in the rain, I finished building it and filling it with dirt.

I transplanted the plants that I started from seeds indoors. So far we have beans, peas, spinach 2 kinds of lettuce and zucchini.

I have more seeds started and will be getting some tomato plants for my upsidedown planters too. Those will hang on the fence you see behind the garden.

In the corners where you see stakes are beans and peas.

This pot is for zucchini.

I covered the whole thing with netting because we have squirrel issues here in the city.

More seeds started in repurposed egg cartons:

If anyone sees something I have done glaringly wrong please be a pal and let me know!!!

**Missourimom** · 05-23-2011, 02:04 PM

I'm having one of those "ugh" moments. Why didn't I ever think of starting plants in egg cartons....what a great idea!

**itlw8** · 05-23-2011, 03:45 PM

the pot is zuchinni? if so thin those out to 1 or 2 plants they are far too crowded.

**Labontet** · 05-23-2011, 03:50 PM

I Love Your Crooked Little Garden.

I also agree about the zucchini, they need to be transplanted. Way too many in the pot, they need room to spread.

You are making great progress. Way to go.

**craftypam** · 05-23-2011, 04:26 PM

There is NOTHING glaringly wrong with what you have done; when you transplant it's a shock to the plant and sets growing back some. All of the items you planted would have been fine to plant directly into your garden. Lettuce, spinach and peas are cold weather crops and don't mind the cold weather. The other items you planted have to wait until there is no chance of frost, but can be planted directly into the garden.
Tomato and pepper plants are plants that need to be started indoors because it takes a long time for them to grow and they do not like cold weather. Just some suggestions to help you out.

**Daisygirl** · 05-23-2011, 04:55 PM

The reason I put the zucchini into a pot was because I was warned that they would take over the whole garden. Should I move them into the garden anyhow or just move them into a few different pots?

Thanks so much for the input, all!!!

**Imarachne** · 05-23-2011, 05:34 PM

Looks like a plan !

**nuisance26** · 05-23-2011, 05:45 PM

~I have my zucchini spaced in a 2x2 foot square. I only have two plants. I've read that they need at least a 2X2 for each plant. 3X3 is preferable.~

**Daisygirl** · 05-23-2011, 05:49 PM

Nuisance - it was your pics that inspired me to get off my butt and do this! Thank you!

**Labontet** · 05-23-2011, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

~I have my zucchini spaced in a 2x2 foot square. I only have two plants. I've read that they need at least a 2X2 for each plant. 3X3 is preferable.~

I agree with nuisance. I have never planted zucchini, but very often grow yellow summer squash. I would think that they might grow very similar to each other. Giving them about 2X2 sounds good to me.
Good luck.

**brenda67** · 05-23-2011, 06:13 PM

I think your garden is AWESOME looking.. I don't see where it's crooked..You did a really good job growing your own veggies from seed..I can't wait to all goodies you get in the coming weeks..

**craftypam** · 05-23-2011, 06:15 PM

By the way I think your garden looks great!! Good job starting out with so many different veggies. You do need to get something that won't block the veggies from growing, but will keep the squirrels out. I have bunnies eating mine soooo we put a wire fence around the garden.

**Spirit Deer** · 05-23-2011, 07:48 PM

Looks great! It looks like you could even add more dirt.

I agree about the zucchini. Not only do they grow to be huge, but they tend to produce very prolifically. For the three of you, one plant would probably be enough if it does well. Have some recipes onhand in case you end up with extra. It makes great bread.

I'm not sure what people meant by 'taking over the garden' but zucchini don't spread like plants that send out runners. They get huge but don't wander around like strawberries or lilies of the valley or walking onions or other meandering plants. They don't even vine like pumpkins or cucumbers do. I would leave one, or at most two, plants in the pot where you have them, just because they will get big and then shade the stuff in your SFG.

The net won't help if squirrels really want into your garden. They'll chew right through it. It'll keep birds out though.

When planting, ignore the package directions to plant X seeds per inch or whatever and then thin them later. That's a waste of seeds. Personally, I find it hard to thin stuff and kill off cute little healthy plants. That's what happens when you're hopelessly kind-hearted.

Plant seeds spaced according to what the package says the final spacing should be. The exception is plants you can eat as you thin them, such as lettuce, spinach, radishes, etc.

Be sure you pay attention to the moisture in any potted plants you have, as pots tend to dry out fairly quickly. The soil should be moist but not soaking wet. When you plant, keep in mind how large the mature plants will be, and resist the temptation to plant too close together because it looks like you have so much extra space.

Take notes as you grow so you know what you did and what worked or didn't. Draw a grid so you can write in each square what is planted where. If you've planted perennials, mark that on the grid. If you've bought perennial plants that came with an informational tag, put the date on it when you bought it and keep it with your garden info. I have a three-ring binder with pockets where I put that sort of thing.

Add a rain gauge to the garden so you know how much water your garden is getting every week.

If you plan to start seeds next year, figure out this year if you need to buy seed for next year now. For example, the asparagus seeds I'm very late in starting this year should have been started fourteen weeks ago, before seed was out for purchase yet. I'm taking a gamble with the packet I started over the weekend, but will also be starting a packet of them next winter at the proper time, and I've purchased that seed already. Ditto for the leeks it's too late to start this year. You can wait for close-out sales later in the year if you think you need seed for next year that probably won't sell out.

I would cut the grid boards a bit shorter so you can drop it inside the box on the dirt. IMO, it'll be easier to reach into your garden box without the grid up so high, and also will make the squares more clearly delineated.

I hope you have a successful gardening experience! It looks like you're off to a great start so far.

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-23-2011, 08:22 PM

Love it. Zucchini do well in hill of 4. 3 and one for a squirrel to chew-seriously. I put both cukes and zucchini on a cuke fence.
It looks like a wood window frame w/ chicken wire in it. The cukes will attach to the fence. Angle it slightly backward to help it grow on it. For the Z I use it to block the growth. Plant those on the outside squares. A leaf will be bigger than that pot.

Suggestion mow around the garden-less bugs,less cover for squirrels and bunnies. You have all the grass. Not supposed to be critical. By the way-you have a very green thumb.

**brenda67** · 05-23-2011, 09:18 PM

It's and idea that might or might not work for you..I'm gonna buy some cheap chicken wire that I can cut and piece together into a 4 to 5 ft high by 1-1/2 to 2 foot wide circle that all the climbing veggies like cucumber,peas,green beans to have a verticle garden that doesnt takeup my space.. Can you use a couple of spots in your yard to make these cages that all you have to do is dig up the soil or add store bought soil to make them? Again just a thought.. I will post some pictures.