What I've planted and how it's doing: first month progress
It has been just 29 days since I started my gardening adventures, but a lot has already happened. Let's catch up!
In this post, I'll tell you more about what I've planted and how it's doing up to now.
The Lettuce
Date planted: January 29
On my first visit to the nursery, I got three things: lettuce, cilantro, and parsely. The lettuce was the first thing I planted. Two kinds: gourmet blend and butter.
I got so excited by how pretty it looked, that I planted too many for the size of the pots.
Pretty but not effective
I soon realized that gardening food is not like arranging flowers in a vase for a pretty display. One must forsee the growth and have patience.
I did end up transplanting the lettuce from one of the pots into multiple other pots to give them more space.
Date transplanted: February 14
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While working in the Courtyard, BJ watched.
Then ate.
Speaking of eating.. before I did the transplanting...
Interlude
The Bunny Buffet
...bunnies attacked.
It was a surprise ambush.
So to defend against future raids, I moved the lettuce to the Deck.*
*Note: I think this is a good time to tell you about the Other Places - that is, other areas outside the Courtyard where I've been putting some of the plants. Between the bunny buffet and plants needing more sun and the lemon tree which you're about to hear of, there will be Other Places I refer to in this blog, including the Deck, the Glass Room, and the Downstairs Patio.
All lettuce on deck
Lettuce continue...
The other full pot still has the recovering lettuce in it that was originally planted. I'd like to transplant it into individual pots once I find or get more medium-sized pots. Or maybe get or make a planter.
But overall, the lettuce seems to be doing well. When we had several days of heavy rain, I put them under the Deck dining table and chairs, so that they would get some water but not too much.
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Also, about a week ago I moved one of the small pots of lettuce to the Courtyard on a shelf with the cilantro and parsely where it gets only afternoon sun. This is a test to see how it does in a part-sun environment.
And this is how the lettuce is looking today!
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The Lemon Tree
Date planted: January 30
Back from the nursery
Though I planted it third, the lemon tree was the kickstart to my gardening adventure. The vision started after I took a walk with my dad and he picked the neighbors limes.
I went with a dwarf variety - a Dwarf Eureka Lemon - and planted it in a large pot in the Downstairs Patio so it can have the space and full sun it needs to thrive.
First, I prepared the pot for planting.
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The existing plants had deep roots so I did a lot of digging. It took about two hours to get the pot ready.
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It was so satisfying to see the lil lemon tree in its new home! I may have made a minor error in planting it a little low; there was still space for dirt at the top of the pot, but it's okay. All part of the learning experience!
The Kale
Dates planted: January 31 & February 2
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I didn't plan on planting kale, but when I saw it at the nursery, I got it on a whim. It looked to me hearty and easy to grow for a beginner gardener.
So far, so good. It indeed seems hardy and easy. I haven't done much besides plant it and water it and move it to the Deck (as one of the pots also suffered from the bunny buffet).
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Going strong and recovering
I'm experimenting a little with it by putting one of them in a more shaded spot and straight into the ground in the Courtyard, without new potting mix.
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When it was planted and today
It is doing well as well.
The Violas
Date planted: January 31
The poor violas. They were the Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix's of the garden; died way too soon.
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I have no idea why either. I know they are annuals, so they won't last but a season; maybe the roots didn't take hold? Did I water them too much? No idea.
A lone survivor is still standing. I feel like I should transplant it so it doesn't have to be living among the dead. Of course, I'm worried that transplanting could mean the end for it. Maybe if I clear out the others it will grow? I suppose I will leave it for now until I have another pot to plant it in.
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The ones in the bigger pot lasted the longest (about two weeks)... until they didn't. They were so pretty while they lasted. Another one of those purchased on a whim while visiting the nursery. It's like being a kid in a candy store there.
The Lavender
Date planted: February 17
One of my favorites. I love the delicate look and soft color of lavender. And the smell is so soothing. I have a lavender oil I often spray on my bed before going to sleep.
I scavenged a big terracotta pot so the lavender will have enough space to fill it and also because lavender likes dry soil and the terracotta provides good evaporation.
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I used the dirt that was left in the pot and mixed with new potting soil.
Got that just moved in feeling
A few days later, it rained.
My attempt to protect dry-loving lavender from the storm proved only 1/4 successful, as the awning apparently didn't provide 100% cover.
Two days after the rain, I noticed the lavender was looking limp. I wondered why because it was getting much sun. Did it get too much water? I'm still wondering.
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At 10:20 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. It got worse! Even in the nice weather.
But then I noticed by the next morning it was looking happy again. Phew. And yet, mystery still unsolved.
The rain didn't stop the Cantina from staying open. Here is our happy patron, BJ enjoying the daily special: soaked seed.
The Herbs
The Cilantro & Parsley
Date planted: January 28
I'll talk about these as a two-in-one because looking back I only got one picture on the day I planted them and they're posing together.
And also because they're still together after all these days (awww). They are side-by-side on a small shelf in the Courtyard where they get afternoon sun.
These two are doing great. I've already cut some of the parsley to have on shrimp with rice and it added great flavor to the dish. Both are growing so well; I will need to think of some recipes to enjoy them.
The Basil
Date planted: February 13
The Basil, the Cantina, and Twtich
While I had the basil in a spot in the Courtyard that got a lot of sun, I think a cold streak might have turned its leaves brown. That is my guess, but I'm not sure. I have since put it in the Glass Room, which is essentially like a green house and gets hot. We'll see what happens.
Here's what it looked like when I planted it versus now.
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The leaves that look good still taste great!
The Sage
Date planted: February 17
The sage seems to be doing fine. I also put it into the Glass Room thinking it might like a little warmth and shelter.
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The Dill
Date planted: February 17
Same story as the sage so far. It's doing fine and keeping warm inside.
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The Oregano
Date planted: February 17
The oregano has grown surprisingly fast!
Day it was planted
Today
Look closely in the picture above and you can see the Cantina in the background.
The oregano is in a spot of the Courtyard that gets shade all day, and has been there since I planted it. Seems very happy here.
A note on nourishment
I gave all the plants plant food on February 18 - except for the lavender because it likes low to moderately-fertile soil.
A sprinkling of fertilizer
Thanks for reading the first month recap of my gardening adventure!
Stay tuned to see the growth of the garden - and what new plants I've planted this week - by subscribing to my blog via email or RSS feed.