Donna Hawkins- July- Garden Update

My July goal was to fix our garage floor, but like all projects, when it gets busy enough, you have to sift out what's really important.  July was crazy busy for me, therefore the garage floor will be put on hold for now.  Instead, I was also able to finish a smaller project that I've been planning on for a year:  a sandbox!  We had this dead space next to our garden that would be perfect, and some ugly pink concrete edging we pulled out of our beds when we first moved in.  We dug it down and bought some sand. Note: GOOD, beach-like, play sand is expensive!  13 bags cost almost $60!  I'm used to ordering landscaping sand by the dump truck-full and the whole load would cost that much!  Sheesh!  This stuff is quality and from the first moment everything came together, the kids haven't been able to stay out of it!  They love it!  If they're ever outside, they're in the sandbox.  Maybe it's just because it's new?

I also have an update on the garden.  At the end of last season, I thought I had it all figured out.  What to plant and when to plant it.  Our growing season is so short up here.  Any time after Labor Day is fair game for frost!  Here's a few tips for any prospective gardeners...

1. Plant peas and lettuce EARLY!  Like, as soon as the snow melts.  Lettuce turns bitter the instant it gets hot.

2. Plant only ONE squash plant of each kind.  It's hard to pluck out that second plant start, but it has to be done!

3. Tomatoes need to be BIG when transplanted.  I don't think I'll get many red ones by frost time.  We'll see.

4. Get GOOD tomato cages, not those flimsy one that can't stand up under any weight.

I'm pleased how it turned out, but I'm still worried that I won't have tomatoes and peppers.  You always get a ton of what you don't want, like summer squash.  It pretty much does what it wants.  Here's some before...

and after...