My Garden through the years 2009-2020
Every year I have been growing a garden since we have been married. It started way back when we were living on 13th street. Back then I had a 10 x 10 dog kennel and I planted stuff inside of it. I started with cucumbers and put them next to the fence partly so they could grow up the fence. I was a beginner 25 years ago so I planted way too many things and it ended up like a jungle. I had some zucchini and they get huge and would consume the other plants. I planted tomatoes and peppers and tried other stuff but I was dumb and planted them all too close together so didn't do as good as my garden now. When we moved I had a big spot on the side of our garage so I had a fence built to separate it from the rest of the yard. At first it was next to garage only but realized that there was not enough sun shine there. So I got more fence built that went from garage to back fence. That lead to a huge area where I could plant a lot. At that time I took one of the dog kennel panels and put it across in the middle. That is where I would plant my cucumbers so they could climb up the fence cause they are vines. Over the years I have planted many things. For the first year or so I had trouble getting all the grass out of that area. I even rented a grass cutter and that was very hard. So I planted around it and didn't have much success. Then I got a yard man named Pablo from Mark Neu to bring in his crew and they cleaned it out. I made rows and planted tomatoes by the fence , peppers in the middle and then different things on the last row and the cucumbers on the chain dog panel. The side closest to the driveway didn't grow as good. I think it was because of too much shade. But it has never really grown that great. Over the years I have modified that area. I have put tires in there and used them to put tomatoes in there. Then I have since put paper down to cut back on the weeds in the tires and it has worked pretty good. I have also planted an orange tree back there and it produces a bunch of oranges but they don't taste very good. I need to move it since it's so large. I have put in a winter garden one year and grew radish and turnips. I spread them out and used a rake to spread them out. They grew good but I found out I don't like radishes very much LOL. I did have two awesome collard green plants that grew awesome and lasted a couple of years. Through the years I have accumulated more tires and used them as pots and it has worked good. I even got a little walk way put in and a waterline ran back there to have water right there in the garden. I have branched out and added tires on my back fence closer to my patio and tomatoes have grown good there. I also added some peppers in pots, an old sandbox, and an old ice chest and put them right behind our bedroom window. So I have vegetables growing everywhere. This year I have another old ice chest that I drilled holes in and I am gonna plant some winter greens in it. Through the years I have planted many things, I have thoroughly enjoyed it and want to continue to enjoy it. Something very satisfying to be able to grow your own food. My plan in retirement is to have a great garden, spend a lot of time out there maybe even sit back checking out my garden and have a nice cold beverage as I enjoy it.
Ya'll be safe out there!!!