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Our Little Back Yard Garden in South Texas

3/3/2019

7 Comments

 

We have Cilantro!

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Good Morning and a BIG hello from South Texas.

I had been up since four am and was anticipating a run to Home Depot to buy a couple more herbs for my garden. As I drank my coffee, I could feel the warm air against my skin. I happily watched the sun greet me on another beautiful Texas morning.
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I know what you are thinking!

Why in the world was this woman up so early? Well I kind of roll that way. Yes I am one of those happy, chirpy, and a bit nauseating morning people!

My husband not so much. I have to give him at least thirty minutes to wake up and get his first cup of coffee. Sometimes I do realize a muzzle may come in handy when I have the urge to share my early morning outings but sometimes...I just have to share whether he is awake or not.

I have heard there are two kinds of people in life. There are morning people and those who want to shoot morning people...

When I get my mind on something, I usually cannot sleep, so I get up and piddle around until the rest of the world decides to wake up. Since I am back to writing, early mornings are my favorite time of day to write down my thoughts.

I had already walked Chrissy as she too is an early riser so at least I am not alone.

Who could resist those sweet eyes?

Looks like its just you and me kid!


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Today I wanted to talk a little about gardening in small spaces and the passion behind growing plants and vegetables. For me, it is my happy place. I love to play in dirt and my husband finds this really weird. I love to see plants grow and if we can eat them...my goodness what a gift!

When we started downsizing and moved down to South Texas, I gave up a large garden and my chickens. I guess I truly did not realize it was my passion. I loved it but I did not know how much I would miss it or that it was rooted deep in my soul.

It had been two years and one morning I asked myself what in the world is wrong with you? I felt down and it just would not go away for long while.

I realized after much contemplating that I had given up two of my most precious things.

One was my writing and the other one was playing in dirt aka gardening.

It was then I realized that for my mental health, I must pick up both again. We should always find the things that make us happy and fulfilled so that we can live our best life.

Writing takes up a lot of time as you fellow writers know and I used to get so absorbed in it that everything would fall by the wayside.

This was not good! Writing should be fun and a wonderful outlet but people should always come first.

My husband and I talked and we decided to start a blog together. We thought I could share a little of my creative writing should the mood hit me. We could share some of our travels and our way of life.

For instance...I wanted a composter for the garden. Roy did a little research and bought me one. I am not sure why he picked this one but I will write about his reasons for doing so and the process of putting it together soon.

We love all things to do with growing food, camping, minimal living, off the grid kind of stuff...so if you will stick around, we will try to incorporate many of these topics
.

Playing in dirt is my thing though...just sayin'
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Let's get to it!
I always wanted to say that!

This is a picture of some of my starter plants.

Nothing elaborate, but I am anticipating with joy their new growth. The seeds are Cantaloupe and Spegetti Squash.

These two wonderful veggies were store bought and I honestly can’t tell you if they were organic or not. I better pay attention next time.

I washed the seeds and dried them for a few days. I am not sure if they will work but gave it a try.

These are two foods that we eat a lot of. If I had any advice for growing a garden, I would say...plant what you like so it will not go to waste! I also feel it is fun to try new veggies as well.

A little about my containers...We recently had a flee market at our park and I was able to pick up four large buckets that were actually horse watering buckets. I drilled holes in the bottom for drainage and they made great containers.

Since the containers were so big, we added wood, some smaller buckets, and other material to the bottom. The buckets require so much soil that this was a great way to use less soil.

As I start to compost in the future I will line the beds with compost verses manmade material. We have an old tree laying by the side of the house. This will not go to waste for future planting.

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The picture above is a couple pepper plants, red and yellow. I planted some garlic and Rosemary. I looked yesterday and the garlic is coming up. I am so excited.

​I started the garlic from a garlic bulb from the grocery store. When planting garlic be sure to plant with pointed side up.

The one plant in the middle of the garden space is a native South Texas plant but I am not sure what it is.

Peppers do very well in this Texas heat so I am hoping for an abundance of peppers.

I did plant a Marigold plant in the middle of the pepper plants to ward off some insects should they decide to nibble.

Please know I am not an expert, but I do read a lot and I am constantly learning.

I love the thought of companion planting. The fact that one can add herbs and certain flowers to the vegetable garden to help with infestations of bugs is just fascinating to me and just shows how incredible nature is, providing us with everything we need.

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I am very happy to introduce you to the Japanese Eggplant, which is part of the
nightshade family.

It is purple and even though it is a berry by definition, it is considered a vegetable.

We should not eat it raw but when cooked, it has the potential to absorb flavors so it is used in many recipes.

Once cooked the skin and seeds can be eaten. It can grow up to five feet tall and will come back every year which that makes for a cost effective plant as well.

I did plant some Italian basil in the same pot to help with deterring any nibbling on the eggplant by certain bugs.

An interesting bit of folklore! It was said that in the 13th century the eggplant could cause insanity.

They say insanity increased when the plant was in season.

Hummm....I will keep that in mind and like all foods...moderation is the key!


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This plant is my strawberry plant. I planted some mint with it which has a strong odor. I look forward to seeing how they do.
I was reading that we can plant garlic, onions, and marigolds as well to help with the bugs should they come to call. Perhaps I will see how the mint does first. I will have to be careful the mint does not overtake the strawberry pot.
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The picture below is my Zucchini plants. I plan to buy some Oregano, Dill or a Marigold plant to help with future bugs should they make an appearance.

This was my 4 am wake up call to go to Home Depot to find some herbs.

​Thank you Zucchini plant!
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Lastly I planted some Black Watermelon plants. I have never seen them before.

A little elderly lady at Home Depot told me they are very sweet and juicy. I could not help but give them a try.

If you have ever been to Home Depot in the heat of the day you can also attest to the long lines at times.

I chose to think of it as a blessing and a great opportunity to talk with my Home Depot Line Neighbor.

I bet you have never heard that term ever! Let me be the first to share.

A couple stood behind me that happen to own their own little vegetable farm. A light bulb went off in my head. I could get great advice on several veggies if I take the opportunity to pick their brains. That is exactly what I did.

After they shared a few very useful tips about vegetables, we smiled and said our goodbyes.

I headed to the truck to unload four rather large bags of soil when all of sudden my Home Depot Line Neighbor said, "here let me help you!" He lifted that heavy bag as if he did this quite often.

What good people there are out there!

A big thank you and shout out to my Home Depot Line Neighbor for all the advice and the much needed muscles!

Never be too proud to ask questions, as most will put out that infamous thumb and tell you if it is green or not.

If it is green then it is fair game to gain a wealth of knowledge by asking questions. If they say they do not have a green thumb and are only at Home Depot to pick up ant killer...well give them a quick smile and move on to your next Home Depot Line Neighbor.

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I look forward to sharing more of our little back yard garden as plants produce. Gardening and writing is my passion and how blessed I feel to be able to do both today.

Have a wonderful day.

Sending lots of love and happy thoughts your way
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Kimmie
7 Comments
Maria link
3/4/2019 06:50:20 am

Good morning, Kimmie,

This post is a double bonus! It's written by you AND it reminds me that Spring really is around that proverbial corner.

I'm not getting notices so I will subscribe again ... don't ever want to miss the chance for a Sunnie Day ... :) Love you, Maria

Reply
Kimmie
3/4/2019 06:59:28 am

Good Moring my friend. Thank you so much for stopping by. It feels like old times and my heart is singing! So good to see you and have your support. I truly am so happy to be back writing...and working in the garden. I hope you have a wonderful day and your spring is not far behind. I will check the sign up log too to make sure there is no glitches.
Love and hugs

Reply
Gail Sobotkin
3/4/2019 04:24:03 pm

Hi Kimmie,
Stopped by to see your new website and to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It's nice to see you writing again.
Love & Blessings,
Gail Sobotkin

Reply
Kimmie
3/4/2019 06:31:59 pm

Hello Gail I was so happy to see you and read your sweet comment. It feels like it has been forever. I am so happy to be writing again. I have the best supportive writing friends that’s for sure:) I hope you are doing well and I pray we will cross paths from time to time. God bless Love and hugs
Kimmie

Reply
Mike
3/6/2019 10:30:15 pm

The garden will bring you many smiles. You sharing the results through your blog will deliver many smiles. So nice to see both rewarding activities, writing and gardening back on your list.

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Martie link
3/10/2019 05:15:02 pm

Hi Kimmie

Good to see you back in Weebly with such a lovely topic.

I am definitely not a morning person. But Barend is. And, unfortunately, I have to open office at 8:00 am. So, I know the desire to shoot left right and centre early in the mornings.

Hopefully I will soon be in the mood for writing and gardening again. When I read your post about the compost maker I almost ordered one.

Enjoy Spring and all the opportunities it brings.

Hugs,
Martie

Reply
Kimmiedear
3/10/2019 06:07:40 pm

Dearest Martie
I wa so excited and happy to see your comment! It’s been way too long. I can say the gangs all here ❤️I look forward to reading your posts too and hearing about your garden ...I love the composter and I hope to have some great soil soon. Sending all my love God bless you and your family
Kimmie

Reply



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