The best red

The best red

A week of red would not be complete without some tasty tomatoes.
Heirloom Costoluto Genovese, as pretty as flowers!

Seeds available for this Heirloom in my little garden store

http://www.etsy.com/shop/downtoearthdigs

Garden joys

Garden joys

How pretty the Hollyhocks looked tucked up along the side of the greenhouse last Summer.
The large clay pot is temporary to hold water, until I find a vintage treasure suitable to use as a rain barrel.
Not only are the plants always changing, the structures of the garden are always evolving also.

Plant peddler

Plant peddler

In just a few short days I will began sowing seeds for the upcoming Spring season.
I always plant way more than I could ever plant into my garden.
You see, when your heating the greenhouse, you may as well fill it full of flats and pots.
Why heat empty shelves!
This leaves me with extras to offer to local gardeners…The Extra Sale.
I found this image from last years sale…pots of freshly sprouted cucumber seedlings.

Let’s move this thing

Let's move this thing

This little wagon is handy to have around the garden.
When the plants are ready to leave the greenhouse, I can load up the wagon and pull them around to the garden beds.
I made the wagon a little sign, just for fun.

Skipping the broccoli

Skipping the broccoli

Not because I don’t like broccoli, In fact I love broccoi!
It’s an issue of space.
Is it worth the space in my kitchen garden?
This year I decided broccoli will sit out.
Can you guess which vegetable will take it’s place?
First gardener to correctly guess–wins a free packet of seeds–from me!

Leeks

Leeks

I had never grown Leeks until a few years ago.
It was my “try a new vegetable” in the garden.
I start them from seed, and they slowly sprout thin green sprigs.
I transplant them to the garden as soon as the frost danger is over.
Carefully water them to keep them from drying out before the roots can take hold.
When you tend them in the garden, gently bring the soil up onto the base of the Leeks. This will force more of the white portion of the Leek to grow taller.
Harvest and enjoy!
I would recommend Leek Soup!
I also sliced up the Leeks and dried it in the dehydrator.
Store in sealed jar and use for soups and stews all year long.

It’s good to have favorites!

It's good to have favorites!

No secret, I do love the Heirloom tomatoes!
I’ve been starting and growing them in my little greenhouse for 5 years now.
Each Spring I put out some little signs along the quiet roads that lead to my garden; and curious, friendly people wander up the long driveway to select some of my little plants.
It’s more for fun than profit–you know, a little seed money!
If you are in need of some Heirloom tomato seeds for your own garden this year, stop by my little Etsy garden store.
Some of my favorite varieties are there for sale.
All of my seeds are from chemical free plants. I harvest them from the best fruit throughout the growing season.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/downtoearthdigs

A different angle

A different angle

This side of the garden doesn’t get photographed much.
Even this image is from three seasons ago.
The south side of the fence is planted in perennials for a cottage garden effect.
The future plans are to continue expanding the plantings to embrace more of the yard.
Our home will began a renovation project this Spring. In the future we will be opening up walls and creating two openings to the back of the house.
We all ready decided we need to add a gate to this side of the fence!