A few years ago, I read an interesting article about pre-Victorian gardens...back then, gardens were not so structured...they were a bit more free...sort of like a cottage garden but even more so...in a small yard, vegetables were mixed in where ever there was room...I like that idea. I live in the suburbs, so I don't have a huge yard and like all of you who like to have veggies in the garden...I do too. But the problem I faced was this big blank spot in the yard when nothing was growing...when the yard rested. Sure it was glorious all summer long, but then what? So I decided to change my thinking...go back to the old thinking and scatter my veggies all over the yard...it works for me. Here on the side of my house where I don't get a ton of sun...peas are growing...and yes...if you look closely...there is a pea! In January...a delicious...or so I hope...sugar snap pea! This was another experiment...I had seeds...plenty I might add..and it was warm in early December...and now there are peas!
Here on the same side in a very small spot I planted lettuce. I just planted it last week, so it is still struggling a bit. I planted seeds in December as well...but the lettuce didn't like all the rain and so the first batch didn't make it. I have hope for this batch...no rain in the forecast, so maybe it will take until the rain returns...oh and I hope we do get some more!
Artichokes are a favorite in our house and 3 years ago I planted these...they are doing pretty well I think. They are on the south side of my house in a small area under the windows, but it is the perfect size for them. They share the space with roses and black eyed Susans.
Strawberries...can you say yummy! Well...these strawberries are good, but they are very tiny...so I usually just leave them to the birds or munch a bit when I am gardening. These are volunteers...I think the birds had something to do with them...in fact...I have strawberries plants popping up in all kinds of places in my yard...but I don't mind...I'm not very structured when it comes to my garden...in fact sometimes it gets a little wild out there...but I like it like that!
I also noticed this weekend when I was gardening that there are flowers starting on our apple tree...it seems a bit early, but that's the thing about Southern California...the weather is never very predictable...and the plants as well as us have learned to adapt to the yo-yo weather...it has been warm for a couple weeks...but who knows what tomorrow will bring...
Enjoy the day, my friends and enjoy the small discoveries in your yard as well!
Oh..and go over to Susan's post and you can visit more Outdoor Wednesday!
12 comments:
Nice photos! Thanks for your visit. Have a great day.
Such an interesting post. Your photos are great! Thank you for stopping by to see the Robins. hugs ~lynne~
Now that's someone with a true GREEN thumb!!!
Looks like you're going to have lots of fresh veggies very soon! Lucky you!
Great idea! I bet it looks beautiful all mixed together with flowers and veggies.
Wonderful approach to vege gardening, Linda, we are trying to grow more this year too.
Blessings,
Jan
Hi!
Great shots! We have about 6 inches of snow and temps in the 20's so no veggies for us. Have a great day!
Sherrie
Food for Thought
http://100sweets.blogspot.com/2011/01/snow-snow-and-more-snow.html
OMYGOODNESS...with the coldness and a little snow, NOTHING is growing in my garden. :((
xo bj
Amazing what you can grow if you try. My back yard doesn't get the sun it used to so if I want to grow things that need sun I will have to add them to the front yard flower beds.
Not fair, you get sugar pea, strawberries, and artichoke in January? They look great, and my pea pod grows where nothing grows too
What a knack you have for growing things. Would love to grow Sugar Snaps. If the sun ever decides to show its face here, I would get out and start something. I love the idea of mixing veggies into your yard.
I just enjoyed your Road to Ca pictures. What a fun trip and so much quilting talent.
Wild strawberries what more could you ask for. I envy you your mild climate. Here it is a case of roll on Spring, please!
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