I thought it was about time for an update on the farm.
My gorgeous and fruitful garden that I planted May 25 has been producing for a short while. I don’t feel that it has produced as much as it should have but my kids think I ought to be pleased. My Mormon neighbor (aren’t they supposed to be good gardeners?) told me all her tomatoes died this year because of the heat. Mine are all living, so I guess I should be quite grateful and thankful!
It is so pleasing to walk out to the garden with my little basket and gather bunches of mint for tea or to gather tomatoes as they ripen from day to day, or to pick green beans for supper (I’m not telling you how many I get. You’d laugh. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t. But hey, this is A-r-i-z-o-n-a and if I can collect 15 every other day… oops… did I actually just tell you how many I’m picking?? Argh!)
Living in Arizona is my favorite excuse for why my garden has it so rough. 
Okay, so now that you have full disclosure on my little gorgeous and fruitful garden, here are the pictures.
Here’s a partial view of the garden when I started (I had a few tomato transplants that I purchased and my mint patch, which is cut out of the picture, is not shown.). The picture on the right is a full view of my garden beds and how it looks now.
No more corn for me next year. I must have picked the corn way too late because they were dead tasting and the real clincher for me is they had worms in them. I’d rather stick with the vegetables that don’t get those kinds of things.
I planted about 10 okra transplants and I think about 4 are producing. A few of the others were swallowed up by some potato plants that started growing. Zachary must have planted them a year or more ago. Anyone want a 1-2 year old potato? I have no idea what to do with the potato plants. Do I leave them growing? Can I cut them down to the ground, so they don’t take up as much room? Do tell.
Next year, more okra plants.
I learned that sugar snap peas cannot survive 2 little eager children’s grabbing hands. They were standing nice and tall, their little tendrils wrapped around each other but they’ve all just kind of collapsed on each other in one big heap.
Lesson learned – have better support
My mint patch does wonderfully. Zachary planted it, and it’s been there for about 2-3 years. I used it for Heather’s wedding reception last year. The cucumbers are for canning bread and butter pickles in the event I have enough.
Do you see that potato plant right behind the cucumbers? Should I just dig up the potatoes and get rid of everything? Help!
My marigold’s came up on their own. Love that! I purchased 3 basil plants from Trader Joe’s and they have done really well.
I planted green bean bushes instead of the pole variety.
Next year I want to try the pole variety and plant lots more so that I can preserve some for wintertime.
And then there are my tomatoes which are quite trouble-free except for the fact that they need support. They are sprawling all over!
And last of all, we have hatched 7 more chicks. (8 chicks but one died) They are just too cute!
Have a great day!
Joining up with Homestead Revival.
Filed under: Farm & Garden
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Elisabeth,
I’m curious about the potatoes. Often I find it rotten when I dig up the new potatoes, so I’m wondering how yours has produced something after being in the ground for such a long time. Have your plants bloomed? Once they’ve bloomed then you can, if you wish, pull up the whole plant and find your treasure. Or leave them in the ground till just before the frost comes, which probably isn’t as big of a dealfor you as it is for us. I don’t know about cutting potatoes back, I’ve never heard of it, but our growing season is different. Everyone is in such a panic here to get new potatoes as early as possible (Hopefully by July 1st)that I don’t think anyone would consider cutting the plant down:) Are the cages around your garden to keep the animals out?
Carmen
Carmen, Thanks for the pointers. The potato plants had bloomed, so I dug them up. They were small but I think they’re okay? Do you think I should take a chance and serve my family these heirloom year old home grown potatoes? ha
Wesley says we usually have potatoes come up every year because when they dig up the harvest, they don’t manage to gather all the potatoes.
The cages around the garden are for any animals (domestic or wild) that have a hankering for fresh greens and other treats. The grasshoppers still have a good time though.
Your garden looks lovely! Believe it or not, I have never grown potatoes. We are very busy canning at this point…75 quarts of pickles, 50 of green beens, a zillion quarts of zucchini in the freezer, pickled beets and tomatoes are just starting.
This is the garden I dream of, I think! Lots of winter stores for you. That’s wonderful.
Wesley is right…the potato plants are from the potatoes of the previous year that didn’t get dug up. I usually always manage to miss one here or there when digging up on when we planted and they will come up the following season. Didn’t do any this year but hope to try another kind next year. Our new potatoes seem to be on the small side. Wish I could remember the names of the white potatoes that did do very well here one year…starts with a “k”. Great job on your Arizona garden!!!
Everything looks wonderful there! I am jealous of the mint. I’ve tried planting it and it did not come up. Might have to try a different variety or brand. Don’t you just love those gorgeous okra blooms??
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Thanks, Kelly. I’ve heard of other people having trouble with mint but for whatever reason, it’s no problem here. A small consolation maybe since everything else seems to be more of a trial and error process.