A Girl Called Erika: May 2014

The last time I planted a garden was two years ago. Last year, I never got around to it and, if you must know, that makes me feel really silly. Anyway, you may know that I used the Square Foot Gardening method for our first garden and that worked out pretty well.

This year, I began thinking about the garden pretty early on. I had read a bit about companion planting online and so checked out a few library books on the subject including Great Garden Companions by Sally Jean Cunningham. I really liked it, and picked up a copy on Amazon.

I decided that I would try a garden that used bits and pieces of both methods. Who knows if this will be a success or not, but I went for it. I got everything planted on Sunday afternoon after sitting down at my picnic table with both books, my notebook, and a crapload of seeds. I mean, a bunch. AND I think I have more seeds somewhere, because I know I didn't use all of them last time so they must exist somewhere in my basement. Someday, I will find them. Anyway, here is what I planted:

-cucumbers ("picklebush" variety which means I may not be contending with a ton of vines and the cukes will be small)

-nasturtium

-marigolds

-dill

-roma tomatoes

-sugar snap peas

-Serrano peppers

-sweet banana peppers

-bell peppers

-zinnias

-poppies

-lettuce

-carrots ("little finger" variety, so they'll be pretty small like the cucumbers)

-basil

-oregano

-cilantro

I think that's all of it. I'm pretty excited to start seeing things coming up, maybe as soon as next week for some things. I know that peas move along pretty quickly.

Are you planting a garden this year? What will you grow?

Monday, May 5, 2014

Weekend Recap

This past weekend was a good one. A nice mix of fun, productivity and relaxation. I:

- watched hockey;
- read;
- did laundry;
- ran errands;
- went to a concert;
- did some sewing;
- took a nap;
- planted my garden.

Stay tuned for more about the sewing and the gardening as well as that all important life update I promised.

Happy Monday!