I’m so excited! It’s the time of year for my summer vegetable garden and in June I’m super motivated with thoughts of cucumbers, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and fresh broccoli. Until my harvest, I haunt my Omaha Nelson farm produce stand in the parking lot where I work.
They have the best fresh peaches and produce that is ready way before my own garden zucchini and tomatoes are ready.
I’m actually going to try and like yellow and green “mushy” vegetables like zucchini and squash,I even planted cauliflower this year. Over the years I’m made sweet pickles, jalapeno “cowboy candy” and sweet basil jelly. So far at the beginning of June, we have harvested spinach, lettuce, and radishes. We have had so many leafy greens we have been giving away bags of them to friends and co-workers.
Essential Gardening Tools
Gardening really doesn’t take too many tools or equipment. Some good soil, mulch ( I like to use our lawn clippings), water, and sunlight. The secret is growing plants that are native to your specific area. For instance, growing watermelon in the north isn’t a good idea, not enough heat days. Likewise, blueberries in Nebraska don’t do well. Our soil is too alkaline.
However, jalapenos in Texas are happy little peppers. My biggest challenge is weeds, I don’t like to use chemicals so a good hoe is important, I use a diamond head hoe and it slides under the soil with very little effort and between the narrow rows.
With my bad back, a rolling garden seat is INVALUABLE!! Seriously, I don’t mean to shout, but now as I have passed the big 50, I cant’ bend over for hours picking green beans for an hour. Inside I keep my gardening gloves, small trowel, and bags to pick lettuce. Everything stays dry and this seat has stayed out all season long in the rain.
Rolling Garden Seat with Storage
Corona Clipper Diamond Hoe
It’s amazing how big the broccoli can grow and take over the garden, as well as the tomatoes. I have planted potatoes and onions, but it’s not an efficient use of space. They demand a lot of water, mulch, and loose soil. I’d rather grow basil or peppers in their spot and buy my potatoes from the produce stand.
Do you have a garden? What do you like to plant and what is your favorite gardening tip?
Really lovely – I love the contrast of the colors and Mmmmmm! I love freshly grown produce. Summer is the bestest!
I so enjoyed the information I decided to share with my Dad who is the gardener.