The weather is really warming up here in TX, all this week is forecast to be in the mid 80’s! That’s not warm, that’s HOT!!! I am itching to get outside and start cleaning things up, especially the front porch area, but it’s been rather windy the past few days and my allergies are playing up too (oak, grasses and other tree allergens have been pretty high) so I’m avoiding being out there for too long. That, plus the fact I’ve been busy sewing all week is what’s keeping me indoors.
But, I need to get out there soon, it’s looking pretty sad right now, no flowers in the beds and just dead plants :(
We also need to get out back and clean up too. It’s looking even sadder out there. In fact I’m almost too embarrassed to show you. . . but I’m gonna!
This picture was taken March 2010, we’d just started cleaning up the beds and here I am planting some herbs
By July it was looking like this!
Pretty impressive, but that’s when the weather starts to get brutal, I’m talking nearly 100 degrees EVERY SINGLE DAY! We just find it way too hot out there and start to go out less and less. I’ve tried going out in the mornings after taking Kristen to school, but it’s still nearly 80 by then, and we tried going out after 8pm when the sun was setting, but it’s still in the 90’s even at that time!
Sad to say we didn’t go out much after this and this is what the garden looks like today . . . .
We’ve felt really overwhelmed at the thought of trying to clean all those beds out again. This week Jason and I talked a lot about what we want to do out there. I didn’t even know if I wanted to try growing veg again, knowing that as soon as the weather heats up I won’t want to go out there! But after lots of talk we’ve decided we DO want to still grow veg. It’s something we enjoy doing together now, we just need to be more consistent with our efforts and motivate each other to go out there.
We’ve decided to have some one come in and redo the beds, AND put crushed granite on the pathways to help prevent weeds. We found a local ‘crew’ that does a lot of work in the neighborhood and we’re hoping the will make a start sometime this weekend. Not only are we having the paths done we are taking away the wood boxes (because most of them have already started rotting) and we’re having limestone borders put in. It’s costing A LOT OF MONEY! but we think it’s worth it. If we don’t invest something in the back yard then it’s really all just a waste of space. I am excited about it, and I will be sure to blog about the process as we get started.
In the mean time, I couldn’t resist planting a little ‘pizza garden’ in my big tub on the patio!
The large pot has a grape tomato plant in it, basil to the left, cilantro at the front and tarragon at the right.
The terracotta pot has a yellow cherry tomato plant in it.
So, how about you? Have you started cleaning up your garden yet. Will you be growing any veggies this year? I loved reading blogs last year that were gardening too, it always inspires me when I see other peoples spaces :-)
Linking up with:
An Oregon Cottage - Spring Spruce Up.
A Southern Daydreamer – Outdoor Wednesday
16 comments:
Hi Denise!
WOW...your yard is amazing! Our yards here in Vegas are teeny. We don't have a garden, but we do have desert landscaping that we like. For us that works. But to have a garden would be awesome!
I think your plans sound wonderful. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
I love your little pizza garden...so cute that you call it that ;)
Have a great day!
I haven't look at my garden cause its still covered with SNOW! LOL I enjoy your happy, sunny pictures.
I could only dream to have a garden like that!!! I hope you have a great day!!
I love the pizza in the pot and am going to keep that in mind. No gardening here yet...we're under 10 inches of freshly fallen snow!
Your big garden is wonderful, but I really understand about the heat. Maybe having a new look and feel to your beds will inspire you.
We have at least six more week until it warms up enough to garden. I am going to remember your pizza herb pot!
XO,
Jane
Good for you, Denise! I hope your investment in your back yard pays off handsomely. It IS hard to make yourself go outside when things are so hot, but hopefully your new beds and granite walkways will make it all a bit easier.
Every year I think "I really want to plant more ______," but I never seem to get around to it. I ALWAYS have basil growing in the summer, though--it's my favorite herb!
I am so envious about the size of your garden - if I lived closer I would come and help you x
WOW, that looks like fun. It will be awile before I see soil. We received 7 more inches of snow yesterday. What a fun post!
I'm so impressed with your huge garden ... my gosh, you could feed a small country with all of those yummies!! I can't wait to see all that pops up soon. ;) Becca
I'm excited for you about your new garden beds!! I can't wait to see all the progress. It will definitely be worth the money spent in the long run. Don't forget to take pictures as the crew is working so we can see the process!!
Spring Blessings,
Dana
We're in TX, too. We're loving the warm weather but the allergies are really kicking us in the rear! You have an amazing yard. I don't blame you for getting someone to come in and help.
LOVE your garden beds!! We are going to take the plunge and start some square foot gardening this year...and I'm pretty intimidated! I'm not sure how I'm going to fit gardening in my schedule. But our desire to have yummy veggies outweighs my lack of time!
I might have to do like you and have some pots on my back porch to get me started! ;)
Thanks for linking to the Spring Spruce Up!
-Lauren
Your garden looks like mine only yours is a lot bigger! We got ours tilled up a few weeks ago but we have to battle Bermuda Grass and so we were pulling tons of it out. You just can't kill that stuff. I know what you mean about the heat preventing you from working in the garden in the middle of the summer. It was so hot last year. Hope it's not that way this year. I got my potatoes planted a few days ago!
I love that you have your garden planning worked out! And I wish I could come down for a quick visit to warm up. It is so cold up here right now. I usually only plant tomatoes and some herbs as we have a small lot. But I would love to figure out a way to work more into the yard.
It's going to be great in the summer Denise. You always do a good job on it. Love your new ideas for the border.
Have a fantastic weekend.
~Melissa
Testing!!!
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