Homegrown Food

This blog is called, "Between Zoos and Gardens", but I haven't really blogged about gardens yet, so I thought I would do that tonight.

But before I start, I apologize for my fuzzy brain due to benedryl fuzz brain to help me to stop itching from being dinner for a ton of bugs.

Last year was my first attempt at a garden.  In March, I started seeds in those starter kits and was super excited to watch them grow and become plants.  It wasn't until late July that I was actually able to plant them outside, and well, NOTHING took.  Perhaps I over fertilized with horse manure? Not watered them enough? Watered too much? Not enough sun?  I really don't know, but I do know that it was a total flop.

So this year, I wanted to obtain advice from friends and family who have been very successful with gardening.  From them, I received a bunch of good information on how to plant and when and what to use for fertilizer and feed and weed control.

For the most part, I followed what they said.  But I didn't follow what the little info plastic stick says about spacing.  Oops.  Although I have some in separate containers, those that are not are, well, a LOT closer than what those sticks say.  Next year, I will spread it out more.

Here a bunch of pictures of my garden.

 

Green peppers are in the 3 buckets and one of the totes.  The other tote is full of cherry tomatoes. The pool has strawberries and cucumbers.



Cute baby green pepper growing.




Green pepper growing.



Close up.

Little watermelon getting started.

 

These two are a little bigger than a softball.

Cherry tomato's that are so sweet and good.

  

A hiding zucchini.

Broccoli is growing nice.

Little cucumber just getting started.

Here is where I planted things WAY too close. Closest are pumpkins, then green beans, broccoli, zucchini, and watermelon.

  

Pool of cucumbers and strawberries.

And of course, we can't forget the protein food group. One or two chickens lay under the porch (which is where this egg was found).

Some lay them in the coop. Where the others are at, I'm not sure. I imagine we will find them someday in a huge pile.



One of our 8 chickens left from 13. Stinking raccoons and foxes.



One of the newest chickens from this spring.

Last years chicken. She loves to crouch down and lift up her wings and lets us pet her. So cute.

I love having this pump out by the barn.

So do they. :-)  Love these girls of mine.

Sometimes. the hose is left on and a small flood occurs.

Can't forget our barn cats (that are terrible at hunting). The black and white one is named Cider and the black one is Santa.

This is Baby. She was our first barn cat. Found her on craigslist. She was an indoor/ outside cat, but stopped using the litter box inside and the family couldn't have an outside cat, so we got her.  She is de-clawed in the front and was our best hunter. But I think between her being so old and the heat, she has stopped hunting. :(

This is Cinnamon, our English Mastiff. We found her eating eggs, so she is watched a bit more closely when outside.

Todd, our awesome Beagle.  He is a good protector and such a cuddle bug.

Can't forget the wild fruit. These ones are from a bird transplant. We also have a huge row of them just inside the wood line.

They taste amazing!

Last, but not least, fresh green beans! Can't wait to eat these.  The kids and I picked them together.  They loved picking their own food.  I loved the quality time together with them.