Back on April 4, I told y’all I was going to try to plant a little garden, using some unusual household items to make raised beds. Well, I planted some broccoli and onions in some bags of composted cow manure in some old camp chair. This was purely experimental, and I think that sadly, it didn’t work. I followed the directions to the that I found online on how to do this but my broccoli just isn’t doing the broccoli thing.
On the other hand, I also have some other things planted in regular plastic flower pots and baskets that I got at a couple of thrift stores. Those are doing quite well.
Right now I have them on the front porch, but they are not getting as much sun as they need there, so when Becky and Emily come over on my birthday to help me with some chores, I will have them move those out to the wellhead on a garden bench.
I will also rip out the non performing broccoli and plant some chard and beans. I don’t know anyone who can’t grow beans. Here are some more photos of my plants that are doing well right now:
The herbs smell so good when I sit on the porch. I can’t wait to be able to use them in cooking.
I got this pot of Lemon Basil at the grocery store. It had about twenty little plants growing in the same pot. I separated them and planted some here. I need another pot for the rest of it.
Fabgrandpa loves Moss Rose. He has had some in every garden we have planted together.
I always feel like a garden is not complete without at least one patch of petunias. They are pretty and bloom all summer, and smell sweet too.
The Sweet William, or Verbena, is another of my favorites. It has a pretty multi-flower bloom, and also blooms all summer.
I have been doing one or two pots a day before I run out of energy. I sit on a chair, with the container on a little table, shoveling the potting soil with a kitchen spoon out of the 40 pound bag. I can’t bend over, and can’t lift over five pounds, so it is slow going getting it all done. I have a Red Bell Pepper, a Brown Bell Pepper, an Eggplant, more Basil, two yellow squash plants, and another two petunia plants to go. Then I will be done, except for the seeds. I have pole beans, swiss chard, and nasturtiums. What are you planting this year?
Sandy Cain says
Beautiful, just beautiful! I wish I had a square foot of land to call my own, so I could grow SOMETHING. We live in an apartment, and though we have a terrace, it’s a NW exposure that gets 15 minutes of the setting sun. I can’t, for the life of me, imagine what it’s like to be able to grow your own food! I will plant and enjoy vicariously through your pix!!!
geogypsy2u says
All the plants are looking good. I’m real jealous about those ‘green’ tomatoes. 😉
Laura says
I’m impressed, Karen! I’ve heard of growing a cactus in an old shoe or boot, but a chair? Haha! Good job! And how are those plants in the last photo growing so well in those small pits? You’re crazy, woman, but that’s why we love you! :). I just planted some parsnips, chives, onions, dill, parsley and basil in a regular old half wine barrel. I’m boriiiing. Haha!
lyricandariasmom says
Awesome job! I have such a black thumb. Every year I want to do something, want to start gardening and every year I never do….
Dorothy Teel says
Your plants are doing great, I like the idea of container gardening, the older we get (me especially) find it harder to bed over to pull weeds and the like, and it is nice to see things grow in pots and items that mean something to you. Your pepper look great.