Garden Archives - Page 2 of 4 - The Wondrous World of Leslie Banks

Garden Diary 2020 – June 16-30

The summer harvest has begun! Veggies and herbs sown from seed in the springtime are finally coming to fruition. We’ve had mostly successes and some failures. There’s always room to learn. Brightly colored summer flowers are providing a spectacular backdrop. While the kitchen garden thrives on its own, we’ve been busy implementing more organic gardening practices to improve the health of our soil. Our long-term plans to remodel the backyard shade garden are underway, which involved two massive loads of free arborist wood chips. We’re getting better at learning how to let nature take care of itself.

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Garden Diary 2020 – June 1-15

Garden

My garden is exploding! Warm weather, soaking rain and a foundation of healthy, organic soil have made my kitchen garden burst! I have a continuous supply of some favorite herbs, fresh blueberries are steps away, and the some of the veggies are setting fruit. Summer flowers are bringing beneficial insects, in addition to color and beauty. And of course, the garden restoration projects continue.

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Strawberry Photo Shoot Cat Attack

Food· Garden· Photography

I was doing a stock photo shoot of my homegrown, organic strawberries when my kitty discovered they were more fun to play with than toy mice! He just couldn’t keep his paws off the props!

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Garden Diary 2020 – May 16-31

Garden

With the frosty weather behind us, the fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs have hit their stride. But a new foe has invaded my garden – BUGS! The tomato plants are looking fabulous, but what to do with those aphids? And what is eating my beans? Will organic solutions save them?

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Garden Diary 2020 – May 1-15

Garden

Spring planting is complete…for now! But the wacky weather presented some unexpected challenges that may force me to replant. Heavy wind and rain and a Mother’s Day weekend frost required some quick, DIY solutions to protect the tender seedlings. Did my excessive “hardening off” save them?

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Garden Diary 2020 – April

Garden

The last frost date has passed and planting has begun! It’s been a busy month of soil preparation, more seed starting experiments, yard clean-up, DIY projects. And already we’ve been harvesting our lettuce and perennial herbs! What a treat to have healthy food right outside our front door.

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Garden Diary 2020 – March 16-31

Garden

It’s been a productive two weeks in my garden. Day after day, I’ve been planting more seeds indoors, preparing my food and flower beds outdoors, tending to all the seedlings, and experimenting with the bounds of nature. My body is sore, and my car still smells like cow manure, but the fine spring weather has been a delight in which to toil.

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Garden Diary 2020 – March 1-15

Garden

Tomato transplant success! Check out my results from moving over 100 tomato plant seedlings to larger pots! This month, I’ve also started flower seeds indoors for my cottage garden. I’ve done more experiments and have had some failures and mediocre results, but overall, my indoor seed starting is looking good! Follow along with my latest installment.

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Garden Diary 2020 – February 1-29

Garden

Gardening season has begun, and it’s been a busy February! This year, I’m experimenting with starting seeds indoors. I’m growing tomatoes, hot chili peppers, cucumbers, lettuce and lots of herbs for cooking. Check out my progress – successes, failures and cat-astrophes!

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Garden Diary 2020

Garden

This year, I’m expanding my kitchen garden and experimenting with starting seeds indoors. Follow along with my successes and failures from the start of the growing season until the end. I’m planting tomatoes, hot chili peppers, lettuce, cucumbers, basil and other herbs. I can’t wait for harvest!

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