My Humble Veggie Garden

Who would've thought that this party girl would be planting veggies and battling aphids five years later after her drinking and traveling spree?

Yeah, I didn't think so!

I never really thought that watering plants and checking my garden during my breaks would be something I would look forward to. Growing a garden can be quite challenging but it can be very rewarding. There's a lot to learn in a span of months and even years, but this is something I want to keep doing because it actually feels good to harvest something you personally grew.

I started gardening a few years ago. I focused in planting flowers on the front garden and this year, I added edging and more flowers. I also learned which flowers to avoid and add. One step up that I started this year was to plant edible goodies!

Earlier this year, I decided to push through and create raised planters. I wanted to build it myself, knowing that I have the tools - but we don't have a truck (yet) so hauling long lumber boards is a tad bit too difficult, or more like impossible. Around June, I was browsing the FB Marketplace and saw someone advertising custom raised planters so I figures I would spend roughly the same amount but I need to buy and haul everything. That being said I got myself two raised planters placed on the sunny side of the yard.

Being the nOoB that I am, I planted my veggie babies too close to each other and now they've sprouted mini veggies. I'm ashamed of my cabbages so I'm leaving them out! Haha. My broccoli were too close to each other so I guess my planters can only house three plants.

I tried to combat the bugs, somehow I succeeded. I got tiny florets tho, and I think they're time to harvest before they bloom.

My tomates, on the other hand, seem to be more promising. I've already harvested two the other day and I have more. Surprisingly, they turned out pretty good!

One of them grew larger than the other two and bent. I really should've done more research before I started but... no...

I have a lot of take-aways from this experience. It's a lot of work and I can't restart halfway through the year but at least now I know. 

Make sure to have tomato cages or at least more steaks to hold them up.

Plant everything farther apart. Baby plants grow big.

I know, I know - I'm extra proud of my tomatoes!

Moving forward to the one I'm not so proud of but nonetheless still happy with - my zucchini and yard long bean!

I got these ones just because. I really had no plans for them so I put them both in a pot next to my rhubarb. My zucchini did produce some fruit, so did the bean. However, I did not place a trellis for the beans so that ended up growing all over the place. I have no regrets!

My zucchini and bean having some good bonding time. I was wondering why the zucchini looked like that, I was told it was due to improper pollination. I guess next year I'll have to manually do that according to a local gardening group that I joined.

Our summer has been really hot here in Wisconsin so my Zucchini was dying in the morning and reviving at night - even if I water it everyday. Another take away - plant in shade next year!

Overall, I'm still satisfied overall. I mean...

I grew some vegetables!!!! In the city!

Yes, I feel accomplished indeed! They may not the be most perfect ones this year but I am definitely glad.

Here are my take aways:

- plant them farther apart
- use fertilizer regularly
- plant zucchinis, beans, and cabbages in the shade
- build my own planters for next year
- build a net cage to keep squirrels away

I guess that's about it for now! I have many more months but I'm already excited to start the new chapter of my urban garden!