How does your garden grow?

As I promised I would post a more photo orientated post about my garden. Things are going great so far! Hopefully the weather does not get any cooler and my garden continues to grow as well as it is now.

   

Preparing the walkway between and garden box 2!!!

Straight 8 cucumbers 

My collards 

Radishes

My Amish Snap Peas! I need to get my trellis up soon!

Great Northern Bean.

Well I am going to let my pictures speak for themselves. Hope you enjoy!

Lagging Behind...

So I feel like I have been lagging behind on my blog. Everyday I think of this amazing post I will write and when  the time comes to sit down and do it, it seems to just never happen. Though I think that I had a really good reason why one never came this weekend. I fully planted all of bed 1! I know it's still March here in the Midwest but the weather has been so warm and I figured it would be worth the risk. If we do get some freak winter weather I will try my best to cover and protect the plants, but I have more seeds and I could always try again. I cannot wait until I can finish box two and three but I will have to raise the money first, but if I can't find the hundred dollars I need I may try to get a plot at the local community garden. I really need to get new pictures up of box 1 because I am already having Lincoln Peas and Amish Snap Peas sprout, which is super exciting for me. I am also looking forward to our first meeting about backyard hens this week. I am hoping that this is the year we overturn that silly law and invite chickens into our homes! I promise next update will be more picture driven, because we all know pictures are fun!

My first bike ride....

     So tonight was my first bike ride of 2012! It was a short one, at only 8 miles, but it was still tough after sitting all winter. I loved being back on my bike but I wish that I would have had someone to ride with. I must say that I feel refreshed and I am glad that I did something a little more active than staring at my garden. Hopefully I can ride tomorrow and and the next few days. Who knows I may even ride to school a few days next week. I wish I had taken my camera as the wildlife seemed to be out this evening. Most of it were ground squirrels, birds, etc. I did however see a muskrat today which was kind of cool!
     Its funny to me when I think about me and riding bikes. It sure wasn't something that I enjoyed doing before Laura and if you ask her its because I never had a proper bike. I can remember when I first rode by myself here in Iowa. I was still getting used to my biking shoes that allow me to clip into my pedals. I was almost toward the end of my ride and had been doing well when I came across several female cyclists who were part of some sort of team. I was doing well and keeping up with them for a while and they were being kind. Then it happened.....we came to a stop and I struggled to clip out of my pedal. My bike and I started to topple over and luckily I was able to clip out and do a sort of jump at the last moment so I did not fall with my bike. I was horrified, my first time out on my own and I biffed it in front of a group of women who seemed to me like pros. Now, clipping in and out seems like a breeze and sometimes I even forget that I am doing it. I am not an amazing rider and I get tired when I ride, but I do enjoy getting out there and sweating. It makes me feel good and I know that I am doing good for my body when I do it.

Me, last year during a ride

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Spring Break...

     So it's spring break for me here in Iowa and luckily the weather has been good. I know that I have not posted in forever but life does not always allow me to post. Today I was able to get in more of my seeds! I decided that I would start my tomato plants and re-pot some of the plants that were too big for their areas. I also took a look out into my garden where I have peas, garlic, and collards planted. I noticed that I have an Amish Snap Pea that has emerged! I should have taken a picture but I didn't bring my camera out with me.
     I also did some soil testing (and sent a soil sample to my local ag extension) but I think that I am going to need to amend my soil for potassium and phosphorus. Have any of you ever amended your soil for these two nutrients? If so what did you find worked best? I have been reading all kinds of literature on the subject, but I always appreciate the opinions of others.
     In other news I have also applied to a local garden nursery for a job and I am hoping that it works out. I am also getting more excited about the Chicken talk on the 21st. Hopefully this year we can get the law over turned that bans city chickens. Unforgettably I will not be able to attend the Homegrown Lifestyle course this year but there is always next year! I know that this is shot but I'll leave you with a few photos. 

This is Penny our new addition that will give me great fertilizer for my garden!

One of my Broccoli plants that I needed to re-pot today

Several of the tomatoes I planted.

The last few tomatoes I planted and some peppers

I never thought....

     I never thought that my blog would ever reach a point when it has been viewed over 400 times, but it has! I also never thought that Laura would allow me to have a rabbit this year, but she did! I know pictures are needed and I will as soon as possible, but I'm crazy happy at the moment! The rabbit has bonded well with Laura which is good and we have named her Penny (maybe I watch too much Big Bang Theory??). Our little Dachshund Cleo is also over joyed at the new arrival and wants to be with it always. Of course we don't let them be together unless attended but Cleo will lay right by Penny's cage.
     On other news, I have planted my garlic (I know it's better when planted in the fall and harvested in spring), some peas, and collards. My seeds inside are also doing very well after the change in my system! I am a little worried though about whether I should be starting other plants or holding off. We've had such a mild winter and the spring seems to be fast approaching. To wait or not to wait is the question?
     Overall I would say that things have been going well, not perfect but well! I am excited about spring break next week and the chance to relax from school work and bonded with my little bunny who is going to provide excellent fertilizer for my garden!

Follow me?

This is going to be a very short and sweet post! I am participating in the Grow it Forward contest ( http://www.yourgardenshow.com/grow-it-forward). I would really appreciate it if any of my readers want to meander over to my site there and comment on anything I post. Every comment will earn me a raffle ticket which in turn can win me gardening or gardening related supplies. http://www.yourgardenshow.com/users/cjewell/gardens/raised-bed-vegetable-garden Also to my friends out there who are gardening themselves with heirloom seeds you should join, it can't hurt to try and win prizes and talk to other gardeners!

Oh Iowa....

     I must say the weather has been crazy and making it almost impossible for me to get anything done outside. We've had thunderstorms, bitter cold, and horrible winds. I am desperately hoping though this weekend will have sun even if it is partly sunny and in the high 30s. I want to get dirt into box 2, build box 3 and fill with dirt, then finally get some garlic planted (since I did plant last fall eek!). It's a good thing I don't mind the cold too much as I'll work outside in almost any temp if I can at least have some sun.
     On a very exciting note (well for me at least) there is going to be a public discussion about Urban Chickens at the library on Mar 21st! I am hoping that maybe this year we can get something passed that way I won't have to consider illegal chickens (which I rather not do, heck I can't even cross at the crosswalk if the hand starts blinking, neurotic I know). For now I will get my chick fix like all other normal people (going to the farm store everyday for "things").
     Well I suppose this is it for now as I am being distracted by the documentary Mad City Chickens.