New Beginnings

Time to dig in the dirt and invest in fresh produce - right outside my kitchen door. Totally local. Now all I have to do is figure out a way to keep my darling dog, Zeke from picking the perfectly ripened tomatoes off the vine before I do. There is still plenty of time to figure out that strategic plan.

There will be - Tomatoes... several kinds. We love our tomatoes (we trained Zeke with Sweet 100's and Sungold's which is why he now plucks all tomatoes and cucumbers off the vine when he wants a snack.) and will plant several varieties, most of them heirloom.... except for the Sweet Million and Sungold that I just can't go without. I want to try my hand at making simple tomato sauce this year and canning it.

Cucumbers... really all I care about are the lemon and english. My fav's.

Basil...I can not go without Basil. I use it on everything when it is ready... and of course, the pesto. I refuse to buy pesto because it is never comproble to my homemade recipe. So we have to have at least six basil plants.

Broccoli, sugar snap peas, chard, salad greens of several varieties, collard greens, kohlrabi, zucchini, and more...oh my!

N. wants more cooking herbs this year. You've got it honey! I want a drip irrigation system... What do you say N.? On a timer? Please? The plants really do prefer the drip you know.

I want to get Magnolia's in around the garden since we are planting quite a bit of leafy greens. This year, I bit the bullet and bought the BIG bag of Sluggo at the beginning of the season instead of a several bottles through out the growing year... way more cost effective in the end. Sluggo is totally safe around pets and wildlife and it works.

We also invest in lady bugs and praying mantis to help out with pests around the garden. We add beneficial nematodes to our soil as well (but not until the ground temp is at least 55 degrees). You can get all those critters from a store such as Down To Earth or online.

Any other good gardening tips you would like to share to keep bugs out, grow happy healthy plants all while staying organic? I am open to suggestions!