Another Garden Update

When I've tried gardening in the past, I've had only mediocre results. I'd be enthusiastic during the planning and planting stages. Some of my plants would grow, but few of them flourished. The weeds would take over, the rabbits would move in and sooner or later, I'd just lose interest.

I'm so encouraged by our efforts this year. Our spinach is still struggling, although it's not dying, and everything else seems to be growing very well. So far, we've been able to enjoy some Swiss chard, collard greens, lettuces, radishes and onions. The tomatoes, green beans, zucchini and cucumbers have all set on blossoms in the last several days and it looks as if the peppers will soon have blossoms, too. The asparagus we planted this year has finally surfaced and is doing well; we should have a small harvest in a couple of years.

The marigolds that Kat planted in school survived transplanting and are in bloom. The cannas I bought at a garage sale -- that I thought weren't going to come up -- have come up and are growing quickly. Shane transplanted a walnut seedling, which didn't survive, but the maple seedling he transplanted is going to make it. The only thing I'm waiting on is some Lily of the Valley that we planted a while ago. I'm not sure it's going to make an appearance.

This year, my garden is making me very happy.

Zucchini with blossom. Swiss chard in background.

Tomatoes in background. Collard greens in foreground.

Swiss chard.

Green leaf lettuce, with green pepper to left.

Mixed lettuces.