the veg patch 2021
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We started the Veg Patch in 2020 as a result of it being the end of winter, oh and a freakin' pandemic. I was trapped
● inside in a wheelchair with a ton of snow outside
● with a 5 year old
● who was suddenly remote-schooling the last months of kindergarten.
Save me!
Fast forward to 2021, now we’re
● 11 months in near isolation
● My crippled butt is once again trapped indoors by freezing cold and a boatload of snow
● With my house torn apart (my doing)
● With an antsy husband and 6 year old, who is still remote-school, now in first grade.
Help!
With all the projects going on (read: money flowing out the door) I’m not keen on spending money on planting supplies, so like last year, I’m using what I have at home.
Seed starting:
I am using egg cartons. One, they’re free, after you pay and eat the eggs of course. Second, you can transplant your little seedlings right into the next sized pots without needing to take them out. The carton will break down in the soil. Third, we have a ton of them in the house. Why? Because you can also stuff egg cartons with dryer lint and use them as cheap fire starters for your wood fireplace or outdoor fire pit.
Based on my experience last year, everything I’m growing this year will transplant from the seedling pots to the VegTrug, or whatever other upcycled garden pot we use.
I needed seeds but also needed to determine what I was growing. We’re in zone 6 so we’re almost at the time to start planting cauliflower, zucchini, peppers and tomatoes. Luckily, we have a great garden center in our neighborhood called Mahoney’s Garden Center. I’m still avoiding trips out, so hubs went to get seeds for me with the list I gave him.
He picked up all those for me and more. We decided to try zucchini again. The first year we didn’t realize we had to have at least two plants to cross pollinate each other until late in the season. Last year, we went in the other direction and had so many plants, we were using upcycled old, red totes to grow a dozen plants I’d grown from seed.
Last year, I also learned one cauliflower takes up a ton of space, but is so tasty. So I am trying to plan to give these guys more space. The good thing is I can harvest it in late June and possibly plant something else in it’s spot. Alternatively I can seed more cauliflower indoors to plant in cooler weather for a fall harvest.
He also picked up some flower seeds I’d researched I could start indoor because we’re hemorrhaging money on the Floored project, so I decided to get some annual seeds, cosmos, morning glory, and celosia, as well as some black eyed susans, which love our full sun yard. I’m excited about trying to grow my own annuals, because I love annuals, but HATE spending money on something I know is going to croak.
I still have about a week to gather my supplies and start planting, but will update my Instagram with pictures as we grow. Please comment on Instagram and tell me what you’re growing this year!
