Archive for April, 2010

Garden Porn: Survival

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

The area had a frost advisory last night–or, at least, all the counties northwest of here, stopping at Washington DC. I covered up as many plants as I could just in case, but from the look of the ones I had to leave exposed, we don’t appear to have gotten any frost. I suppose that’s a positive part of the urban heat island effect?

Anyway, I took these pictures on Sunday, shortly after buying and planting some new seedlings… enjoy!

The whole garden... still a lot of planting yet to be done, but we're getting closer!

The whole garden... still a lot of planting yet to be done, but we're getting closer!

Pole beans... this is the first year I'm growing them.

Pole beans... this is the first year I'm growing them.

Yet more peppers... now in addition to bells, I've got Anaheims, jalapeƱos, and sweet peppers.

Yet more peppers... now in addition to bells, I've got Anaheims, jalapeƱos, and sweet peppers.

I'm also trying melons this year... but I need them to climb up the fence instead of spreading out, because I need the real estate.

I'm also trying melons this year... but I need them to climb up the fence instead of spreading out, because I need the real estate.

The Glorious Return of Garden Porn

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Welcome to the first edition of what I’m hoping will be a weekly-ish feature again this year… garden porn. I’m growing veggies in my backyard here in Columbia Heights, DC, and I’m always happy to share pictures of my green and growing plants with random people on the internet.

I know it’s a little early to plant things like tomatoes, peppers, and basil, but it’s been a pretty warm spring, and I’m betting against another frost. According to weather forecasts, that was a pretty good bet (knock on wood)… and I’ll have fresh veggies a couple of weeks earlier!

This year I added another bed – 48 square feet – which gives me a lot more room to play around in! So I’m going to be growing more of everything – as well as adding a few new plants to my repertoire. (I’m hoping I can find some young melon plants at one of my local nurseries…) Since last year’s herb garden was pretty much a weed-infested bust, I’ve added the herbs to the raised beds too… hopefully that’ll keep the weeds away.

Enjoy!

Both garden beds, in all their glory.

Both garden beds, in all their glory.

I'm growing herbs this year too. Basil, cilantro, rosemary, and parsley.

I'm growing herbs this year too. Basil, cilantro, rosemary, and parsley.

The strawberries (and some infant peppers in the background).

The strawberries (and some infant peppers in the background).

Tomatoes... this year, four Romas and a Big Boy. And maybe more, if I decide to plant some more.

Tomatoes... this year, four Romas and a Big Boy. And maybe more, if I decide to plant some more.