Container Gardening

I have to have a home grown tomato soon or I know I will die. I just know it.
At present, I have two plants growing in containers; a cherry tomato and the other I am not sure of what it is; I lost the tag. Just like with the peppers, I am beginning to think two plants are not enough but then I remember that I am practicing patience, at least for a few more days. Plus, I have been encouraging my friends and neighbors to go ahead and plant more when they ask if I think they have enough. By August, I should have enough home grown tomatoes at my finger tips than I could ever dream and with very little expense and work on my part.
I do like container gardening and have had great luck with it. Of course, you have to keep a number of things in mind: have large enough containers for your plants, do not cheap out on the potting soil and if doing tomatoes, buy varieties that actually say “for containers.” Finally, put them in full sun (and not just where the pots look pretty) and don’t forget to water.
Along with my two tomatoes, I also have basil in a container. When I first started growing basil I thought 3 plants would be just right. I did that only once. The following years it has been two and I have always had more basil (and pesto) than I needed or could keep up with. This year, I am going to try just one. I am worried about that a little, but once again, there are my neighbors. And don’t forget, the trick to basil is pinch, pinch, and pinch! Katie is my official pincher.

Gardening, Tennis and Patience

My tennis game last night was incredibly good. Yes it’s true, I could have spent time in the garden weeding and cutting back a few things (and it sure could use it!) but putting a little top spin on that yellow ball sometimes takes precedence. Actually, I am so torn between the two, I never know if I want it to rain or not.
I did get the grass cut before I played. I tried not to have a look at the newly planted peppers as I passed by them. I had told myself no more checking them out for another week. They looked so small the other day that I ended up picking up another. If I don’t practice a little more patience, I may have more pepper plants than I care to admit! Gardening is all about patience, and I need to practice that more or I’ll be making and eating pepper jelly until the cows come home!

Gardening with Katie

Right now I am in need of a good manicure. This past weekend I weeded my garden and though I have numerous pairs of gloves and faithfully put a pair on whenever I embark upon the yard, I never seem to finish my gardening with them. Somehow, they mysteriously fall from my hands without my noticing. Sometimes I find them, most times not.
Last night was no exception to this strange phenomenon. My sweet, sweet granddaughter and I put in five pepper plants. (She says she would like to pick some peppers and I since I would like to make some of my famous pepper jelly, we ended up picking up some plants on the spur of the moment.) The planting didn’t take us long but apparently long enough for me to become gloveless. I looked over at Katie to see if the same had happened to her and found her stretched out on my bed of isotoma, blue star creeper. Ever since she entered my life she has brought new meaning to everything, even my garden. I really love how she views, interprets and utilizes it, all the while keeping her gloves on!