Gardening is a great way to save money and it can also be fun! For the past 2 years, I have been a container gardener. This year I have decided to try Square Foot Gardening. So far, my husband and I love this method of gardening (especially my husband since he didn't have to dig-up the ground). If our Square Foot Garden is a success this year, I will add more next year. I am in the process of learning how to can (more on my experiences next week) and I hope to have lots of jars of salsa and pickles by the end of the summer!
If you are interested in Square Foot Gardening I would definitely recommend reading Mel Bartholomew's book All New Square Foot Gardening
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.Here is my Square Foot Garden:
I planted 4 Cucumber Plants, 3 Tomato Plants, 3 Grape Tomato Plants, 4 Green Pepper Plants, 2 Jalapeno Pepper Plants, 4 Chive Plants & 1 Mint Plant.
We made a chicken wire fence so the cucumbers can grow up and I used wire tomato cages on my 3 large tomato plants.
I used wood stakes for my Grape Tomato plants.
I purchased 3 Blueberry Bushes at Home Depot this spring (2 are still waiting to be planted). I I love blueberries and they freeze well so hopefully after a few years I won't have to buy blueberries at the grocery store anymore. I am considering buying a raspberry bush too.
I also planted 2 Patio Cherry Tomato plants. Connor eats tomatoes by the pound and I wanted to make sure we have enough!!
Some of our gardening is just for fun. Connor and I love to watch butterflies and hummingbirds so we planted 3 Butterfly bushes (2 purple & 1 silver) in our front landscaping. This one now has purple flowers! I can't wait to see what they look like when they get bigger.
Well, that is my garden this year. How does your garden look?
For more frugal ideas, visit Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.
Lovely! I am loving my garden this year. I've got three kale plants, a sungold tomato plant (I am in a CSA, so we get a TON of tomatoes come July), 2 kinds of lettuce, spinach, mini-cucumbers, basil, cilantro, dill and potatoes! Oh, and nasturtum (sp?) -- that edible flower. I also planted blueberry and raspberry in another spot, but they aren't doing too well. I wonder if they just need a few years until they really produce fruit? The most exciting thing is that the previous owners planted a nectarine and apple tree and it looks like we will have some fruit this fall!
ReplyDeleteI love your rain barrel. I made one recently at one of those KC workshops. Now I just have to get a saw, so I can cut off the gutter and feed it into my barrel. Do you just use yours wit a watering can, or do you attach a soaker hose?
MJ,
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to use my Rain Barrel today to water my plants but somebody (ahem) left the water spout open during the rain yesterday and so my barrel was empty :( When I do get to use it, I plan on filling a watering can.
Great post. I've only had a container garden in the past, but I would love to try a square foot garden. I can't start one this year, but I'll definetly take your advice for next year. I'm bookmarking your post. Thx. I found you through Lifeasmom.com
ReplyDeleteGreat garden....but your tomato cages are upside down :) I am hoping to get a rainbarrel this summer as we have raised garden boxes of veggies too.
ReplyDeleteI started a square foot garden this year. It's just amazing how easy it is and how well things grow in it!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking we should work on getting rain barrels set up to help keep our water bill down this summer with our garden. Thanks for the links! Our garden is slow in taking off this summer, but so far we have tomatos (red, yellow, and cherry), cucumbers, onions (red and yellow), peppers (green and multi-colored bell), and lettuce all planted. We also purchased an apple tree and a plum tree and we planted raspberry bushes this year, so we'll see how those fair. Your garden looks great!
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