Remember this post?
This:
Turned into this:
Pretty awesome, huh? And this is after I pulled a few things, too — like the green beans, which were taken over by ants. Grr. But I did get a bunch of them blanched and frozen first.
In my little 8×4′ garden I grew:
- Brandywine tomatoes x2
- Early girl tomatoes
- Roma tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Green beans
- Cayenne peppers
- Jalapeno peppers
- Bell peppers
- Strawberries
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Onions
- Carrots
Pretty impressive for such a little space, huh? And the majority of it was grown from seeds, so I spent very little on the actual plants, and ate ridiculously good food all summer long. I highly recommend the Square Foot Gardening book! This is good stuff. And easy. This was my first garden beyond tomatoes, so imagine what I could do if I actually knew what I was doing!
You see that I had to add chicken wire. We have a plentiful bunny population around here, and they were enjoying the fruits of my labor a bit too much. Unfortunately chicken wire is merely a ladder to this guy — I have named him Vinny:
Some of Vinny’s handiwork:
I thought this one was particularly lovely. I watched him carry my tomato up to the top of my 6′ fence. He munched a while, then left, leaving the tomato there. To taunt me. Apparently came back and got it later. I am currently accepting applications for squirrel hit men. Don’t tell Vinny.
I did get hit with some tomato blight this month, but it wasn’t awful. I had to pull one Brandywine and cut back the giant Roma, but nothing tragic.
How did everyone else do? What did you grow? What did you eat?
One Particular Kitchen 
I actually had more gardening space available but grew less. Considering your space that’s an amazing garden. My tomatoes still haven’t grown in yet, so I’m a bit worried. My herbs have been plentiful all summer long. I’m been cooking with unbelievably flavorful oregano, marjoram and mint since June. I don’t know what to do with all of my oregano it is so plentiful. Although I have had pest issues with Japanese beetles chowing down on the basil. Supposedly, ants and other insects dislike mint oil. However, I put the mint plant by the basil plant and that hasn’t stopped the beetles at all.
I had a few Japanese beetles on my basil as well, but few enough that I could just pick them off and dunk them in soapy water. I hear the traps just attract more, so I stayed away from those. Plus my basil plant was about 3′ high — I could afford to lose a few leaves! I was really, really impressed with the whole square foot method and how much I could grow in that little space. And no aisles = no weeding!
I just had to comment, because my cat’s name is Vinnie, so this cracked me up.
LOL! Is he friends with the squirrel? 😉
This was our first year with a decent tomato crop. And we’ve had our little gang (I should call them Larry, Moe, and Curly) take them off the vine, half eat them, and leave the remainder to taunt us too. But ours leave them on the deck right in front of the back door.
I’ve always hated the deer, but this year the squirrels have moved to the top of my list!
Amen!! I thought it would be me vs. bunnies, but I never saw the squirrels coming.
Our neighborhood psycho squirrels won the battle 2 years ago and I haven’t attempted tomatoes since. The day I came home and found my 4 foot tall tomato plant eaten to just a nub in the ground I conceded. I was so sick of battling them and seriously, if they think a green stalk and a bunch of leaves is tasty, what hope do big ripe juicy tomatoes have??
Now I just grow herbs, and I’m ok with that 😉
Tarragon, 2 kinds of basil, 2 kinds of parsley, rosemary, sage, and lavendar
Ugh. They ARE psycho! I put up the chicken wire to keep the bunnies out, but it’s just a well-placed ladder for squirrels. Jerks. I did get enough for some sauce and some yummy tomato sandwiches, but Vinny sure got his more-than-fair share too. But my basil was outstanding!
Who knew squirrels loved tomatoes!?! Crazy! I’m trying to talk my mom into doing a Square Foot Garden. I read his book and told her about it. She loved it!
She should do it!! I am crazy in love with square foot gardening. I can’t believe how much easier it is! And SQUIRRELS! Now my three year old yells, “Ugh! VINNY!” every time he sees a squirrel. Ha!
We have a squirrel who eats our pumpkins every Halloween, and even decimated 2 Bleeding Hearts in containers. I am attempting a veggie garden this year, and I hope my 2 dogs are up to the task of guarding the veggies.
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