The O/R 2012 Gardening Thread!

**IMGreat101** · 03-19-12, 07:02 PM

Post your 2012 gardens here!

We are in zone 5a.

We normally follow the moon phases for all of our gardening. This year I say f it. We have busy schedules and will plant and harvest as time allows. Mother nature throws enough curves at you, so we will roll with what she throws.

Currently we have high seventies during the day and fifties at night. These temperatures have come four weeks earlier than normal and we are gambling on it staying. This week we are sowing more seed and planting more seedlings than normal. If there is a freak freeze or act of God, we are prepared. We have had to replant for various reasons before and are prepared to replant.

**Pinki** · 03-19-12, 09:20 PM

Yay! I have all of one Italian parsley plant so far in a container just outside my back door -- but it's a start

**IMGreat101** · 03-21-12, 04:18 PM

The main plot is about 40 x 30. I tilled this last fall.

Some cilantro that reseeded.

Planted a few potatoes.

**IMGreat101** · 03-21-12, 04:23 PM

The rhubarb I got from a friend is coming in nicely. There are 5 bunches that look like this.

Red mustard

There is about 6 spinach plants.

Delfino cilantro

**IMGreat101** · 03-21-12, 04:39 PM

Planted so far or planned in the main plot.

1st row - 1/3 mustard, 1/3 spinach, 1/3 mixed lettuce

2nd row - (not planted) 1/2 okra, 1/2 basil

3rd row - (not planted) hot peppers and ?

4th row - 1/3 chard, 1/3 collard greens, 1/3 potatoes

5th row - (not planted) tomatoes

6th row - (not planted) tomatoes

7th row (bean fence) - 1/5 snap/sugar peas, 1/5 cucumbers, 3/5 green/yard long beans

**IMGreat101** · 03-23-12, 06:20 PM

The herb garden before clean up.

After.

Oregano, tarragon, fennel, sage, chives, parsley and thyme all survived and are back with a vengeance! The cuttings from the sage were put in a bucket of water to root and transplant elsewhere.

The orphan area.

This is where the spinach, delfino cilantro, garlic chives and red mustard survived our tropical winter.

**IMGreat101** · 03-23-12, 06:33 PM

The strawberry patch. We hope to get 20 lbs. of berries this year.

The triangle area. This is mostly flowers with some thyme and lemon thyme.

Tulips

Daffys

Violas

The scrap granite flower tower. This is a bit bare right now.

**Pinki** · 03-23-12, 09:55 PM

Is it really warm enough where you are to start the garden? I thought it was pretty cold there?

**IMGreat101** · 03-24-12, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by Pinki

Yay! I have all of one Italian parsley plant so far in a container just outside my back door -- but it's a start

Parsley is a biennial. It will go to flower the second year.

If it produces enough try making this. http://mideastfood.about.com/od/soup...ulehrecipe.htm

Originally Posted by Pinki

Is it really warm enough where you are to start the garden? I thought it was pretty cold there?

We are about 5 weeks ahead of a "normal" year. The temps are still seventies during the day and fifties at night.

**Pinki** · 03-24-12, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by IMGreat101

Parsley is a biennial. It will go to flower the second year.

If it produces enough try making this. Tabouleh Recipe - How to Make Tabouleh

We are about 5 weeks ahead of a "normal" year. The temps are still seventies during the day and fifties at night.

That's a great recipe - thanks! (and thanks for the info about Parsley)

**IMGreat101** · 04-16-12, 04:22 PM

We had a short cold spell and a violent thunderstorm recently. About 20% of the veggies are gone.

Some other flower pics

**IMGreat101** · 04-16-12, 04:32 PM

I had collected a couple of 55 gallon barrels to hook up to our downspouts. My gf said they were the wrong color and insisted on purchasing a nice barrel with a hook up kit.

So far this has worked great. This filled up over the weekend. There is more rain in the forecast this week so I filled some 5 gallon buckets to make room for more rainwater.
I hope to have the other two barrels hooked up soon.
We also use the water from our sump pump and the dehumidifier water.

**IMGreat101** · 04-27-12, 07:54 PM

I was joking with my gf about this flower.

Amarillas By Morning

And she countered with

Born Toulouse

**IMGreat101** · 04-27-12, 08:10 PM

Some more flowers...

**IMGreat101** · 05-17-12, 09:36 AM

Oregano gone crazy. We may be making oregano pesto this year. I have also contacted a local culinary school. Thyme, cilantro and dill are going crazy right now also.

Strawberry flowers. This was taken about two weeks ago. I am eating strawberries picked this morning right now.

**IMGreat101** · 05-17-12, 10:55 AM

I have been picking tons of lettuce and greens.

We have picked a bunch for my folks and one of my coworkers!

Some of the winter survivors.

I even have lettuce in my crack!

**IMGreat101** · 05-17-12, 11:02 AM

Sicilian garlic. You eat the leaves of this plant.

The flowers.

Allium

**IMGreat101** · 05-17-12, 11:10 AM

Iris

Clematis

Onion chives going to flower.

Cilantro. We bagged a total of 8 1qt bags of cilantro and delfino cilantro.

**IMGreat101** · 05-19-12, 09:51 AM

My gf decided she did not like the hose on the back of the house (the one that I use) and replaced it. I get home from work and here is this hose. This is 75 ft., the old hose is 100 ft., grrr. I have used it twice now and notice it kinks up easy. I can almost deal with it being shorter.
So this morning I ask her where she bought this. Of all places she got it at Big Lots. Double GRRR.
Tomorrow I am off to buy a http://www.jgbhose.com/products/Perf...n-Hose-PGH.asp