My life changed dramatically and forever when I lost TJ.

I welcome you to follow along as I adjust to my "new normal".

It is not all puppies and ice cream but it is my life....real and honest.


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Container Gardening

I am going to try my hand at container gardening this year. I am counting on failing so I won't be disappointed, but I have to admit that there is a glimmer of hope that it actually works.

My place is overrun by rabbits. They eat absolutely everything in sight.....except for the weeds of course. I really hate them. A few years ago I went on a rabbit killing spree which I will tell you about some time but I didn't make a dent in the local rabbit population. It is because of them I can't plant in the actual ground, plus the fact that the soil in Arizona is just not conducive to gardening.

About a week ago I gathered up all the extra containers, feed buckets etc. that I have laying around and begin planting vegetables in them. Not only did I plant in containers, I put most of the containers on a table. This way those little buggers can't even get to my veggies by standing on their hind legs and stretching.

So far I have planted: Green Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Spinach, Bibb Lettuce, Banana Peppers, Scallions, and Radishes. I also bought a Tomato Plant.


I am "recycling" some lava rock that the home's previous owner used as landscaping. I have been wanting to get rid of it so putting it in the bottom of my containers for drainage seemed perfect.
 
 The one thing I am most excited about growing is green beans; Blue Lake Green Beans to be exact. This is what my parents grew in our garden in Indiana and I just love green beans. I planted then in a livestock trough and had planned to leave it on the ground. Tater was with me when I planted and when I went in the house he jumped in the trough and dug up quite a few of the beans. I also think he might have eaten some of them. I know he sure was muddy. I have been waiting to see if any pop up and today I saw this one little sprout! I hope to see more soon.

 My spinach is beginning to sprout.

 The bibb lettuce is beginning to sprout also.

This is my mishmash of containers. I only used what I had around since this is an experiment and I didn't want to put much money into it. I have not planted in the large galvanized trough yet but I plan to get some sweet corn in there this weekend.

Now, if I can just keep the birds away......

11 comments:

  1. WooHoo!!! Green Beans and Spinach! My fingers are crossed for you!
    I have to say, I LOVE the rabbits. I know, I know. But they are so freaking adorable! Container pots are the way to go!

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  2. I really like a collection of odd pots gathered together. They always appear to have more character and interest than similar pots in the same place. Good luck with your garden. Strangely enough, although our climates are so different, rabbits are a nuisance when growing vegies here too.

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  3. I hope it does really well for you! My method is to plant a whole bunch of stuff...and usually if I'm lucky at least a few things will produce ;-)

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  4. So excited for you Sandy... I have a cat that likes to lay in any pots I have outside, so I usually don't have much luck in that department. Can't wait to see your garden grow. :)

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  5. What a great idea! I hope you win the war against those Wascaly Wabbits! We had to put chicken wire completely around the garden and bend it out in an "L" shape to deter the little buggers.

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  6. Ooo, can't wait to see your garden grow, dear. Xxx WOW.

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  7. Oh that should be fun I am sure you can do anything you put your mind too:) Take care happy gardening. B

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  8. We have the same problem here. Good luck with it. My hubby put his containers up high last year, by our fence on the shade roof he put in for the dogs. Before you knew it, ground squirrels and mice climbed up there and stole his veggies. But we still had a lot left for us. I hope we will have a garden in the ground this year. The gophers were a real problem when we had one, we put up a little fence so the rabbits couldn't get in. All the best with yours, main thing is to have some fun with it.

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  9. put one of those plastic owls near your containers; it'll keep birds away.

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  10. dear sandy, a container garden looks like a fantastic idea!
    plants in containers can change the entire look of a home.

    looks like fun! can't wait to see your container garden grow my wonderful friend!

    big hugs~

    xx

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  11. Hi Sandy....oh my....I haven't checked on you in a while.....looks like you have had lots going on. Sorry to hear about the Parvo episode....sounds like it was pretty rough on everyone. Glad to see the one's who made it on the mend.

    I love the fact that you are container gardening. I'm going to follow this process of yours to see how successful you are. Out here....growing ANYTHING in the summer is a miracle if I do say so myself! LOL LOL

    Stay well and happy sweet lady,

    Jo

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