thank you for the basics! I have sold my house and moved to a condo with a very tiny garden, so I grow my herbs and lettuce in pots. at my daughter's house, just a street away, I'll be planting some tomatoes and strawberries.
I love that you live close enough to your daughter to plant your tomatoes and strawberries in her garden. Pots are the best for greens. And herbs. I had no pots at all when I was a young woman gardening so they still feel posh to me!!
I have so much garden/horticulture/permaculture info in my head I sometimes don't know what I know... after many years thankfully much of what felt clunky has become second nature but we can always learn new things... Last year I did a urban edibles permaculture/garden workshop with Linda Woodrow & her husband Peter Lewis, I learned a couple of simple things that changed my life. Instead of sewing seeds in small punnets/seed pots use bigger recycled single pots -100 mm diameter minimum up to 200 mm) that will allow the seedling to grow and develop and good root system before you plant it out. To do this, plant in [preferably homemade] compost mixed with basalt cracker/crusher dust (Google cracker dust in compost mixture to see why). If I can't get my hands on cracker/crusher dust I substitute clay based cat litter from the supermarket... it doesn't seem to matter which type of clay (Google also for why... the info is way too long to post here). The ratio depends on what I'm planting and sometimes I include washed sand similarly. Move the pots around to the most appropriate location depending on the growth stage and weather, and ultimately harden them up in the spot they're going in the garden. It's also a great way to grow in odd spots and stagger plantings.
Great tips for sowing those seeds - thank you! Recycling our pots is a must. And growing good strong root systems. When we were at university we would strike all our cuttings in sand. I never thought of washing sand though. . A great tip.
Another thing I might suggest to newbie gardeners..if they can and have the patience is to watch your garden plot for a season or so before planting. Does it get the proper amount of sunshine and shade as the seasons change and the sun shifts? Years ago I planted a whole bed of artichokes early in the year only to discover as the summer wore on and the days became shorter that the sun started hiding behind the trees earlier in the day which cast too much shade for the artichokes to fruit well. This may have worked well for any crops that like afternoon shade but not sun lovers. Lesson learned. :)
Yes! Watching sunshine and shadows is so important. And taking notes! I have one entire (small) garden in total shadow this winter and it is dry and bright hot in the summer. So that garden is a conundrum.
As you know, we have a tiny space - the entire back yard, to plant in. This year, we’re cutting back, so only two cherry tomato plants, three cucumber plants that we’ll send up the net to the 2nd-floor veranda, 2 green peppers, 2 eggplants, and later on, some sweet potatoes. The “new” onions (is that a thing? It is here in Japan) have just finished - very tiny - and the farmers around here say they are much smaller than usual, probably caused by too little rain over the winter. The red onions will be ready in June.
Terra cotta pots?!?!?! Wow. What a luxury. Wish we had them. Everything here seems to be plastic, but with no car to get to the garden center, I just don’t know.
We’ve been composting ever since we moved here years ago. Now the soil is good and healthy.
Mint in pots… live and learn! Several years ago, I put in mint along the side of the property, not knowing it would take over. Still fighting to get it under control.
LOVE your point about the spot in the gard to sit. We have a couple of weeks in April when we can sit on the deck in the fresh air and watch everything grow. Then the mosquitos start up when they let the water into the rice fields out back. Not much fun after that. So, we just sit inside and look out and appreciate what we have.
Thank you, Cecilia, for your Substack. I always learn something from you.
So, new onions are a small variety? Like shallots? That sounds interesting - I will do some research. Just a few healthy plants in your beautiful composted soil will keep you fed.
To eat from a garden we eat simply / do you think? We need to be happy with greens every day. Aubergine every which way. Little tomatoes in everything. (I feel a post coming on!).
Gardens are not supermarkets, do you know what I mean? When we allow our expectations to relax a little then we get to embrace what we have.
The new onions should be a bit smaller than yellow onions. They're sweet, so you can eat them in salads an they don't bite back (unless you really don't like onions).
Yes, there is just something about walking outside to gather your lunch that is so peaceful.
Our lettuce is starting to bolt. Sad that we can't keep it growing through the summer. I wonder why? Any thoughts?
Time is our greatest challenge. The seeds are in seed pods so continue to lightly water the plants until the pods are super dry and crunchy then harvest them into an envelope. Harvesting seeds from a successful plant is so satisfying.
I love onions! When lettuce (and a few other leafy greens) feel the heat coming on they bolt to seed fast to preserve itself. Gather the seed and re-sow, in a cooler corner then resow again in late summer. Bees love lettuce flowers too so I always think they are being twice useful when they go to flower. With my lettuce and other small greens I pick the leaves when they are small, just snip them off the plant then it never really gets a chance to go to seed.
In Illinois the old people told me to sow my lettuce seed into the last snow of the winter so they would grow through the coolness of spring.
I always raise corn, rattlesnake green beans, different colored bell peppers, different kinds of tomatoes, sweet and Irish potatoes, squash, black berries and strawberries. Just a few things to eat on and store.
thank you for the basics! I have sold my house and moved to a condo with a very tiny garden, so I grow my herbs and lettuce in pots. at my daughter's house, just a street away, I'll be planting some tomatoes and strawberries.
I love that you live close enough to your daughter to plant your tomatoes and strawberries in her garden. Pots are the best for greens. And herbs. I had no pots at all when I was a young woman gardening so they still feel posh to me!!
I have so much garden/horticulture/permaculture info in my head I sometimes don't know what I know... after many years thankfully much of what felt clunky has become second nature but we can always learn new things... Last year I did a urban edibles permaculture/garden workshop with Linda Woodrow & her husband Peter Lewis, I learned a couple of simple things that changed my life. Instead of sewing seeds in small punnets/seed pots use bigger recycled single pots -100 mm diameter minimum up to 200 mm) that will allow the seedling to grow and develop and good root system before you plant it out. To do this, plant in [preferably homemade] compost mixed with basalt cracker/crusher dust (Google cracker dust in compost mixture to see why). If I can't get my hands on cracker/crusher dust I substitute clay based cat litter from the supermarket... it doesn't seem to matter which type of clay (Google also for why... the info is way too long to post here). The ratio depends on what I'm planting and sometimes I include washed sand similarly. Move the pots around to the most appropriate location depending on the growth stage and weather, and ultimately harden them up in the spot they're going in the garden. It's also a great way to grow in odd spots and stagger plantings.
Great tips for sowing those seeds - thank you! Recycling our pots is a must. And growing good strong root systems. When we were at university we would strike all our cuttings in sand. I never thought of washing sand though. . A great tip.
Washed sand can be purchased as opposed to collecting [salty] sand from the beach, in which case yes, it should be rinsed washed.
Another thing I might suggest to newbie gardeners..if they can and have the patience is to watch your garden plot for a season or so before planting. Does it get the proper amount of sunshine and shade as the seasons change and the sun shifts? Years ago I planted a whole bed of artichokes early in the year only to discover as the summer wore on and the days became shorter that the sun started hiding behind the trees earlier in the day which cast too much shade for the artichokes to fruit well. This may have worked well for any crops that like afternoon shade but not sun lovers. Lesson learned. :)
Yes! Watching sunshine and shadows is so important. And taking notes! I have one entire (small) garden in total shadow this winter and it is dry and bright hot in the summer. So that garden is a conundrum.
Great farming advice as always!
As you know, we have a tiny space - the entire back yard, to plant in. This year, we’re cutting back, so only two cherry tomato plants, three cucumber plants that we’ll send up the net to the 2nd-floor veranda, 2 green peppers, 2 eggplants, and later on, some sweet potatoes. The “new” onions (is that a thing? It is here in Japan) have just finished - very tiny - and the farmers around here say they are much smaller than usual, probably caused by too little rain over the winter. The red onions will be ready in June.
Terra cotta pots?!?!?! Wow. What a luxury. Wish we had them. Everything here seems to be plastic, but with no car to get to the garden center, I just don’t know.
We’ve been composting ever since we moved here years ago. Now the soil is good and healthy.
Mint in pots… live and learn! Several years ago, I put in mint along the side of the property, not knowing it would take over. Still fighting to get it under control.
LOVE your point about the spot in the gard to sit. We have a couple of weeks in April when we can sit on the deck in the fresh air and watch everything grow. Then the mosquitos start up when they let the water into the rice fields out back. Not much fun after that. So, we just sit inside and look out and appreciate what we have.
Thank you, Cecilia, for your Substack. I always learn something from you.
So, new onions are a small variety? Like shallots? That sounds interesting - I will do some research. Just a few healthy plants in your beautiful composted soil will keep you fed.
To eat from a garden we eat simply / do you think? We need to be happy with greens every day. Aubergine every which way. Little tomatoes in everything. (I feel a post coming on!).
Gardens are not supermarkets, do you know what I mean? When we allow our expectations to relax a little then we get to embrace what we have.
Lovely as always, Louise.
The new onions should be a bit smaller than yellow onions. They're sweet, so you can eat them in salads an they don't bite back (unless you really don't like onions).
Yes, there is just something about walking outside to gather your lunch that is so peaceful.
Our lettuce is starting to bolt. Sad that we can't keep it growing through the summer. I wonder why? Any thoughts?
Time is our greatest challenge. The seeds are in seed pods so continue to lightly water the plants until the pods are super dry and crunchy then harvest them into an envelope. Harvesting seeds from a successful plant is so satisfying.
Again, great advice! Thanks 🙃
I love onions! When lettuce (and a few other leafy greens) feel the heat coming on they bolt to seed fast to preserve itself. Gather the seed and re-sow, in a cooler corner then resow again in late summer. Bees love lettuce flowers too so I always think they are being twice useful when they go to flower. With my lettuce and other small greens I pick the leaves when they are small, just snip them off the plant then it never really gets a chance to go to seed.
In Illinois the old people told me to sow my lettuce seed into the last snow of the winter so they would grow through the coolness of spring.
Hope that is useful.
Ok. I see. I will give this a try. Never collected lettuce seeds. Rather small, aren’t they? We need bees, of course!
(Also…. Still trying to get to the focaccia. Ingredients now on hand. Time, not so much.)
This is great! Getting excited for spring to come to Minnesota.
It cannot come too soon! Just out of interest do you have a garden at your church?
5 veggie gardens, the produce goes to Loaves and Fishes for meals to hungry neighbors.
2 rain gardens
1 native pollinator garden
We have active gardeners here :)
Thanks for sharing!
I thought as much. How wonderful. You could write about that. It is real community at work. Real loaves and fishes.
I always raise corn, rattlesnake green beans, different colored bell peppers, different kinds of tomatoes, sweet and Irish potatoes, squash, black berries and strawberries. Just a few things to eat on and store.