Beginning of Garden

I have always wanted a vegetable garden, but have been fearful of the work and dediction it takes to be successful.  Our summers are hot, and in the middle of summer, working outside isn't high on my list..  This year, I took the leap, and plunged in.  More planning should have been done, but things will simply evolve.

I asked a neighbor with a garden for input, and plotted out a 16' x 16' area.  Since then, I'm thinking rows 4' deep and 16' long would be easier.  I can change it next year!

The started garden, 5/16

The primary goal is to have tomatoes, and again, since I didn't plan, didn't start with seeds and chose types based on what the nursery had on hand.  Other vegetables planted: 

• asparagus- won't have any until 3 years out.  Mary Washington variety
• zucchini squash
• carrots- seeds
• radishes- seeds
• sweet peppers - plants
• Swiss chard - plan
• sweet basil
• rosemary
• thyme

 Rows and trenches for asparagus

 three rows planted, tomatoes, peppers, swiss chard, zucchini, broccoli

 the zucchini plant, a couple weeks after being planted

the better looking tomato plant

Lessons learned so far:

• Protect lettuce from animal that ate the whole swiss chard plant two days after planting
• Protect tomato plants from whatever is chomping down all the leaves to the quick
• rows 4' wide are easier to get to and work