Archive for April, 2013

  • My garden gnome named Minipin

    April 28th, 2013 | Random Stuff | Melanie | 4 Comments

    Every garden needs a gnome. I bought this gnome at Wal-mart last year and he found a home in my blackberry bush. I named him Minipin. As I have been a student teacher this past semester in the sixth grade, I have reflected on when I was in the sixth grade. I remember my reading […]

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  • Blackberry blooms

    April 27th, 2013 | Blackberries, My Garden | Melanie | 2 Comments

    I planted five blackberry plants last year and they are coming back this year great. I planted the thornless variety mainly because I remember picking them as a child and getting pricked by all the thorns! Here is some great information on how to grow blackberries. I didn’t know anything about growing them, but have […]

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  • FAQ: What should I plant?

    April 25th, 2013 | Basil, Blackberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Green beans, My Garden, Okra, Onions, Peppers, Tomatoes | Melanie | 12 Comments

    One of the most asked questions I get is, “What should I plant in my garden?” My first thought is plant something you like to eat. Secondly, plant something that grows well in your area. I live in the Houston, Texas area zone 9a and I garden year round. I am not sure where you […]

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  • My daughter’s garden

    April 24th, 2013 | Random Stuff | Melanie | 7 Comments

    I recently helped my daughter get her garden started. Her husband built their garden box using my plans and we had a fun day filling it with soil and plants. I brought a few new plants for her but also transplanted a few from my garden. She lives in the same growing zone as I […]

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  • Broccoli, spinach and racing green beans

    April 23rd, 2013 | Broccoli, Green beans, My Garden, My Harvests, Spinach | Melanie | 4 Comments

    I harvested spinach and broccoli on Saturday. When you cut a head of broccoli off, still leave the stalk and continue to water and wait for another smaller shoot. It is getting warmer here and I wonder how long to keep it going. So far, another shoot is growing so I will leave it in. […]

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  • Tomatoes on two different types of trellis

    April 18th, 2013 | My Garden, Tomatoes | Melanie | 10 Comments

    I planted four tomato plants on my cattle panel trellis and two tomato plants on my nylon trellis. All six are doing great, and I have over 15 tomatoes on one plant! It is exciting to see my first spring tomatoes! One tip on tomatoes, I trim or break off the extra leaves at the […]

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  • Cauliflower harvest!

    April 16th, 2013 | Cauliflower, My Garden | Melanie | 1 Comment

    Today I picked my largest head of cauliflower. I have 5 more smaller ones that I will keep growing. To see about how to grow cauliflower and when I planted these, click the cauliflower category to the right. I rescued these plants from Walmart just after Christmas day. To learn how to garden this way, […]

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  • Raised urban garden boxes on sale in the Houston,Texas area

    April 15th, 2013 | Random Stuff | Melanie | No Comments

    Saturday I stopped by my favorite garden store to see my friend Donna Faye. She has been a huge help to me over the past few years and has taught me a lot about gardening. I asked her if she would be willing to sell my Raised Urban Garden boxes and she agreed, so my […]

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  • Leeks and my field of seed pods

    April 14th, 2013 | My Garden, Onions | Melanie | No Comments

    I planted leeks and onions back on this date and I have loved having fresh onion tops. I regularly cut the tops off to cook with and they grow back. I pulled all my leeks today as they had all gone to seed. I didn’t really think much about it, I just kept taking pictures thinking […]

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  • Harvesting Carrots

    April 12th, 2013 | Carrots, My Garden, My Harvests | Melanie | 7 Comments

    I decided to try a second attempt at growing carrots and planted these on December 14th. They have looked to be growing well, but you never know until you pull them. I did choose a six-inch variety hoping they would be longer than the first ones I planted last year. A blog reader named Wendy […]

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