Big and brighter

[rkold]

Thank you for all the responses yesterday. The annoying trainer had claimed yogurt was only 6 grams of protein but HAH! my old yogurt was 7 and my new one is 9! I think 9 grams of protein in under 200 calories as well as calcium is nothing to sniff at.

Today I got up super early to start work on the vegetable garden. After seeing my husband not have time to plant anything (and it's already June!) I decided to take matters into my own hands. On the bright side, I've also finally ordered some seeds for things I actually like vs. the free seeds we got from my sister in law. She doesn't like zucchini, which is just a sad sad thing. Particularly since it is supposed to grow as well as weed around here. >>; So hopefully in 2 weeks, we will have the start of some veggies coming up. I'm a little nervous as most of my gardening attempts before have involved strawberries and have been a failure. All 4 of my hydrangea are still alive though. Tomorrow I want to get in some planting and by next Tuesday would like to have finally cleaned the weeds from the window box and put in something new. I'm not sure if I want to get rid of all the dirt or just try with what I have. I'd love to plant bulbs there, but tis not the season yet. I'm thinking tulips and perhaps some hyacinths.

At the moment, I am waiting for the city composters to come by to make sure they actually empty my garbage can. Then I can actually go to the gym or take a nap. >>;

I know most people on my flist are not into gardens and prefer talk of dolls or anime, but I feel like sometimes it's nice to take a break and I really do need to try to make my yard look better. I can then start on the inside.

Comments

[twotone]

eee, zucchini! I had some zucchini plants when I was living with my parents (in fact, IIRC, my earliest LJ posts are basically a loving diary of my experiments raising zucchini). It really will grow like a weed if you let it... but you have to harvest often to make the other ones grow bigger. I like to shred zucchini and saute it with pasta noodles, or have it in soup with a squeeze of lemon. Oh, and they're great stuffed or grilled, of course! Daniel is not a big fan of zucchini, though, I haven't made stuffed zucchini in a long while.

I've been planting peas and beans in random spots... it looks like the peas are struggling and falling over each other, while the beans (a bush-growing variety) are growing okay, but being eaten by local wildlife.

Glad to hear your hydrangea are doing better. Go go gardening power!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Ohhh peas, what sort of beans are you planting? We are currently trying: 2 types of tomato, 2 types of carrot, basil, cilantro, peas, cucumbers, kale, arugula, and some flowers to help keep away bugs. We're also thinking of taking out the two ornamentals in the front and putting in blueberries. We ordered peppers, eggplant, zucchini and more arugula to try in the 2nd bed Kennis will hopefully make this week end. I almost wish he had the time to make 2 beds. >>; I'm really hoping we get something. I'm very hopeful on the zucchini. We're not going to be growing so many vines which ought to help.

Have you tried zucchini and green pepper enchiladas? They're so GOOD!

[twotone]

Um, I can't remember the specific varieties of beans I got. Basically, stuff that would be good for freezing so I can pop them in the microwave whenever I want some steamed veggies to go with whatever we're eating. Although I have nothing *against* vegetables, I'm generally not motivated or inspired enough to make side-dishes involving them... so I really have to make it brainless so that I have no excuse to not include vegetables in our meal.

The peas are *supposed* to be some awesome canning variety that has nice big peapods bursting at the seams with green pea goodness, but I'm beginning to doubt that they'll survive long enough for us to see any flowers, nevermind pods. :/

What bug-repelling flowers have you planted? I've heard of veggie-flower combos that are supposed to be good, but I can never rememeber anything other than garlic and roses.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm I hope we have better luck with our peas, since I adore peas. >>;; I've been eating raw from the pod those peas I bought when strawberry picking with you and Daniel. I don't think we've tried any beans yet, I'm trying to figure out what types appeal to me.

I know what you mean about lazy, I usually just incorporate veggies into whatever I am eating as I find it easiest. I love arugula, and love using it in sandwiches rather than lettuce which I always felt had no flavor. My mom is thinking of planting a pear tree which is exciting as I love the pear/arugula combo.

Are your peas growing at all? What do you think is causing the problem? Now I am anxious. lol

I have heard marigolds and nastrium (or however you spell it) help with bugs. Plus I think you can tecnically eat them as well lol

Damn it I want them to come take away my compost so I can go to the gym already!

[reynardine.livejournal.com]

I'm interested in your talks about gardening and your yard. ;-) Personally, I'm thinking of starting with some container gardening next year (after all this road work by our house is finished). There's a house a block down from us that has their vegetable garden in their front yard, and I'm thinking we may do something similar in a few years. But first, I've gotta see if I can keep the plants alive in containers.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I consider this part of his peak oilness that I can enjoy lol It's a lot of work, but his square foot gardening book is fascinating and makes crop rotation a snap. I think in some respects keeping things alive in pots is harder because the roots don't have as much space. We shall see in a week if any of the lilies are still with us.

The hydrangeas are all improving and now I just have to be patient the 1-2 weeks to see if any of my seeds germinate. ^^;