the garden is in the ground

On the fight slavery, eat locally post a couple of weeks ago Karen commented on the merits of the backyard garden. We are lucky enough to rent from folks who appreciate the taste of fresh tomatoes and herbs and enthusiastically allow us to use their yard for our container garden.

The risk of frost in Chicago has left for the summer- knock on wood- so we were able to get our plants in the ground on Monday morning. Our plants all came from Kilbourn Park which is within walking distance from our apartment and features a yearly organic plant sale from their greenhouse. You can click on the photos for more detail and description.

Anyone else have their garden in the ground? What are you most looking forward to harvesting/picking and eating later this summer? Personally, I get excited about fresh pesto.

David Swanson

May 21, 2009

photos

container garden

5 responses to “the garden is in the ground”

Jeff

May 21, 2009 at 8:26 am

I’ve had spinach, broccoli, lettuce, snap peas and brussels sprouts in the ground since April. Strawberries have been in for a couple weeks too. Peppers, Tomatoes, and cucumbers went in the ground this week. Hoping to get zuchini, pumpkins, beans, and carrots in this weekend.

Mostly I am just hoping I get to harvest at least something 🙂 Still learning this gardening thing. One question for the other gardeners out there: if you have raised beds, how do you water them? I have been trying soaker hoses, but they are not working like I hoped. It does not give an even watering.

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jas dye

May 21, 2009 at 11:23 am

Elitists!
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=227353&title=little-crop-of-horrors

ok, truth is that we don’t have any garden room and i am jealous.

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David Swanson

May 21, 2009 at 1:01 pm

jas dye- one day I want our church to own/rent/borrow an abandoned lot for a community garden.

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Catherine

May 22, 2009 at 2:06 pm

I live in a condo with no yard access, so my options are slim. But, I’m growing flowers (3), tomatoes (3), cilantro, chives, and basil on the balcony. Then, I’m doing a square foot garden with some friends in one friend’s yard…peas, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, squash, carrots, potatoes, strawberries…

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BC

May 26, 2009 at 1:49 pm

I’m in a bit of a gardening quandary as I have a good amount of space and soil, but the quality of the soil doesn’t seem that good for vegetables. Roses and some other flowers grow really well, but the soil is compact, clay-like and lacks decent drainage. Also we’ve got street cats that leave their waste-products everywhere – not too appetizing. So I’ve resorted to planting some herbs this year in containers to see if I can keep the cats away from them. I’ve been doing some composting and have one section I might try vegetables in next year if I can rejuvenate the soil and keep the cats at bay.

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