First Bed In

[mallorys_camera]

Yesterday was gorgeous, so I spent the afternoon in the garden.

One bed planted. (Chili peppers.)

Five to go. (Lettuce, carrots, green onions, tomatoes, tomatillos, basil, cucumbers, and I guess—even though I don't like them much—squash. Maybe even more chili peppers. And flowers, of course, though those don't have to go in upraised beds.)

The general rule of thumb for gardens is to plant veggies that aren't so easy to find in the supermarket, although, of course, in the U.S., you can find anything in the supermarket. The specific rule of thumb this year is to keep costs down—fresh tomatoes are up 25% in the past year. I am planting mostly sauce tomatoes (Romas), which is a bit ridiculous as I'm unlikely to remain in this area, and probably won't want to move with 10 jars of spaghetti sauce even if it is Grandma Fiore's recipe. I'll try to find the sauce a good home.

I spent a lot of time kneeling, so my knees are sore this morning.

Ah, the joys of aging!

I didn't believe it when I went to a doctor for the first time in a looooong while couple of years back, and they told me I was now 5'8" tall after a lifetime of being 5'10". But when I was in Ithaca, it was obvious that RTT—5'8 ½"—is now taller than me. You're like a compressed Slinky when you get old; your spinal discs compress.

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It's supposed to rain all day today, which now that I have plants in, is a good thing—saves me from watering!

I'm gonna make money, chip away at the Work in Progress, and reread Cloud Atlas.

Comments

[rebeccmeister]

We will 100% take and use any and all tomatoes you don't use! I will send S down to help you garden them!

In other parts of the country we could get an abundance of tomatoes for a good price, but around here, everything is marked up, including at the farmer's market. So, we are always on the hunt for tomatoes.

And there are certain varieties of pumpkin that are utterly splendid, so those are worth growing in my book, too, heh. I'm sure other people in the region would love them if you don't eat them.

[mallorys_camera]

Happy to give you any & all unused tomatoes, and happy to deliver them—it will give me the chance to visit!

I'm mostly growing Romas (sauce) because someone gifted me with around 50 seedlings. But I'll be growing a few eating varieties, too.

[mellowtigger]

The temp was 3C/37F on Monday morning, but I think we're done with all of those cold temps finally. The extended forecast looks warm for the rest of may. I intend to take a bus to a plant nursery tomorrow to see if they have any asparagus. The ones I had shipped to me and I planted a month too early looks like they will die. I think we've had a similar conversation before, but what peppers are you planting? I like Georgia Flame. I'm down to my last dried husk in the kitchen, so I need a new crop.

[mallorys_camera]

I do poblanos, bells, and jalapenos for cooking. Serrano, habanero, and ghosts for heat. I might plant a few more varieties that catch my eye in the garden store, too.

I typically end up with a lot more peppers than I use and typically mail out care packages to people I know who like peppers, including many people on LJ and DW. Happy to send you a pepper care package if you like.

[mellowtigger]

Thanks for the offer. I'm still pondering. I think I'll be in good shape. I have plenty of pepper sprouts. I just need to get them in dirt finally. Soon. Soon.

[asakiyume]

You're going to have a fabulous garden. I love your hot peppers!

I've been thinking about getting more serious about growing things because of the price of stuff but I know I haven't got the grit to really work on getting a garden to flourish. But I might increase my garden space. IDK.

I've shrunk too! Amazing and weird that that happens.

[mallorys_camera]

Planting is work, but maintaining? Not so much. 😀 I think you'd find weeding meditative.

[asakiyume]

Maybe you're right. I need to buy some seeds :-)

[lookfar2]

I feel you on that. I have thought for a long time that a woman with size 11 feet - ME - should be at least 5'11", so being only 5'7" was a chiz. And then to lose an inch off that?? An outrage!