One Of My Projects For 2020

One way for me to find joy in everyday life is having projects. What is more fun than a To-Do List?  Not much I tell you!  To that end, this year we are working on making our backyard into a great place to hang out, and even more importantly a great place for pollinators to hang out!

On Saturday, The Man and I went to Conex (Conservation Expo) and we picked up info on getting a Mason Bee Box. So that's on my master to-do list for March and then in April, we are going to get a rain barrel, May for Mother's Day I want another raised bed to double our garden.  My plan is one raised bed for veggies and one for herbs.

Then for the people,  we need three things:  1. a hammock, 2. twinkly lights and 3. one of those pop-up pools.  I have decided 2020 is the year of backyard paradise!

Also the year of old lady pool parties, every Friday this summer my backyard BYOT (bring your own towel).

At the Conex we picked up a Rosemary plant in a cute crochet planter, right now it's keeping the crocuses company and when The Man gets around to putting together my baker's rack. The bakers rack is part of my future coffee station.  The coffee station is my winter Pinterest project--stay tuned there will be pictures. 

Is a Raised Garden Bed Worth the Effort?

Is it? Yes, a resounding yes is the only answer.  Here is my picture proof!  The garden was started on Memorial Day weekend.  We used Miracle Gro for fruits and vegetables and I got all the plants from Home Depot.  I did splurge and got the Bonnie Plants tomatoes and peppers because they were on sale 3 for $5.  A decent deal but still on the high side for starter plants.

This is how it began. By the second half of June, the bibb lettuce was ready to be harvested and it was used for some quick and easy lunches.  Then I had to replant one of the two pepper plants in lettuce space because the zucchini leaves were shading my pepper plant to death.

 Here we are just about 6 weeks later... See what I mean about the zucchini leaves?  They are huge!

 The largest of my tomatoes so far, about the size of golf balls.

This zucchini is twice a big today as it was on Sunday when I took this picture. I'm hoping to harvest my first zucchini by Sunday!

I also have thyme, rosemary, lemon balm and flat parsley growing in the garden, next year we will add a second bed so we can have an herb garden and a vegetable garden and I'll probably have a couple fewer plants, I'm worried I have too many plants in the space.

So there you have it, raised garden beds are fantastic.  Miracle-Gro Soil and Bonnie Plants rock.  Knock on wood we continue to enjoy a garden with few weeds  and other pests!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

I just finished a good summer audiobook here are the details:
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On audible they recommended this book and it was on sale, so I listened rather than read this book. The audiobook has a very good reader who does a great Irish Wolfhound voice. The story is enjoyable and I look forward to the second book in the series. Note: if you read paranormal for the romance, you won't find a romance in this particular book.


View all my reviews

Gardening at Night

Not really but it is the song title of a good REM song that was released 26 years ago.




Me and the Man have been gardening by day.  Last weekend it was cloudy and the temps didn't get above 55,  and this weekend we are in the 90s!  Look, one thing Chicago weather  can be counted on for is its unpredictability.  This however is beyond the typical fluctuations.

 I hope my plants aren't too upset about being planted in this heat.  Some people think you can communicate with plants, I don't see any harm in talking to them so if you seem me mumbling in the garden , I'm just trying to raise happy plants. I haven't had a backyard garden in eight years, so I want generous plants that provide us with tasty yields of cherry tomatoes, squash, and orange heirloom peppers.

On writing, I am closing in on a scene that will take place in a local library.  I need to go visit the library so I can refresh myself with the layout and general vibe. However, I don't see myself making it over there until next Friday at the soonest.  What I have decided is the best course of action for me is to keep writing daily and not wait until I actually go  the library. I can add in details and switch things around as necessary after my visit. Otherwise, I'll use my upcoming library field trip as an excuse to skip writing for the next week. I'm quickly learning writing is much easier if I write something, anything daily, versus saving up until that magic moment when I have "extra time".  I know myself well enough to understand that I am incredibly good at finding other things I *must* do instead of writing!

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo