Time to start thinking about fall planting

04 Monday Jul 2011

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We are so excited to let you all know that we were included in a wonderful article on backyard food gardening! Just follow the link to read the entire article.

Bring in a Second Crop

So, what are we getting ready to plant in our food garden?

  • Bush sugar baby watermelons (so little and sweet and the bush variety is perfect for small gardens!)
  • Pie pumpkins
  • Peppers (in the greenhouse for fall planting)
  • Made cuttings from the Better Boys for fall plantings

Other produce that can be planted this month:

  1. rhubarb
  2. asparagus
  3. southern peas
  4. okra
  5. eggplant (for fall sowing)
  6. lima beans

 

Wanted: Modern Day Prophet to Pray for Rain

03 Friday Jun 2011

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Not kidding.

With the central and southern states breaking all high temperature records, day after day, we could definitely use some rain! I’m finding myself watering more and more often…because I simply can’t stand to see all of our hard work crumble away in a heap of dry leaves and withered fruit.

We have heard reports of a small town in south Louisiana with a watering ban. I feel guilty whenever I use massive water resources to irrigate our gardens. Mostly, I think I feel guilty because I know there are other choices!

Some of the best ways to combat a lack of water and high temperatures are also some of the easiest!

Let’s start very simply:

  1. Don’t plant varieties not suited for your area and/or climate.  We would love to grow coffee bushes.  Unfortunately, they need high altitudes to grow well.  Not going to happen.  Save yourself the heartache and frustration and grow what is suited for your region.  :)
  2. Don’t plant out of season.  Sometimes, a plant’s viable growing season can be “pushed” by providing the tender plant with extra water.  If you must push a plant, try to provide extra shade instead of extra water.
  3. Do not water in the middle of the day.  Even though your plants may be begging for liquid relief, do them a favor and wait until evening or morning to water.  Watering a plant mid-day causes it to open its cells wide to receive the moisture.  This is a good thing if those cells are also shaded by rain clouds.  Otherwise, the large cells and burning sun unite to cause a veritable sunburn to your little plant!

What should you do?  The best tip I ever read for gardening along the Gulf Coast and in the Deep South was to follow xeriscaping tips.  Because our summer months can reach extraordinary highs and drought is always possible, conditions can become desert like through late June/July and August.  Please take a moment to follow the xeriscaping link for some really great tips!

What do we do here at Little Green Bees?

  • we use lots of organic matter.
  • mulch, mulch, mulch, mulch–add the mulch into the soil and on top of the soil.  my favorite is pine bark mulch
  • the addition of peat moss to the soil/vegetable beds is said to increase moisture retention in the soil
  • follow the principles of square foot gardening.  let the plants shade each other’s roots.
  • follow companion planting principles.  squash can shade the roots of beans and corn.  that’s just the first example I could think of.  :)
  • plant trees in areas to shade your garden.  you will enjoy working in a shaded garden more than you know!  :)
  • if all else fails, erect a shade cloth over an area you would like to protect from the intense heat of the summer sun.

Counting the Harvest in Pounds

30 Monday May 2011

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We have finally reached that point! Some of you will be in awe, some of you will be as excited as we are; and, for some of you, you’ll think it’s no big deal as you’ve been doing it for years! :)

Well, this is our first year to count the harvest in pounds…and it’s an amazing feeling! We’ve been able to sell some of our produce (local and chemical/pesticide free) for really good prices–and still have enough to share and for just ourselves!

What are the stars in the garden right now? Well, of course, the tomatoes are! That’s what everyone wants to know about, right? Do we have tomatoes?

Do we?

I picked 10 pounds of tomatoes this morning. I am beyond thrilled by that number. Of course, we have put a lot of work into that number, but we feel blessed hugely to see such a wonderful return on our investment so quickly!

What else is starring? Siberian Kale–a noted superfood and delicious to boot!

Herbs: thyme, marjoram, rosemary, basil (two varieties), tea herbs, elderberry, yarrow and echinacea.

Peppers! Jalapenos, sweet banana peppers, sweet bell peppers and cayenne.

Coming soon: keep your eyes open for an abundance of limas, pole beans, green beans and field peas!

Little Green Harvest to date

01 Sunday May 2011

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Just a quick update on the garden. I am adding an official harvest page to keep track of the amounts but wanted to make an official announcement as well! Today was the first day to harvest from the spring garden. We have been harvesting cabbage, kale, collards and herbs for a while now. I don’t even know how to account for them: several pounds??

Today’s harvest–>
green beans: 1 pound
mixed peppers: 1 pound

Pole beans are up in the Back 40 and tomatoes are about chest high. I’m also cloning the tomatoes this year to try for a continued harvest!

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