Secret Farm: A garden blog

Monarch hatched!

Just one of the many things I've been busy with lately. Regular garden update post coming soon!

Raised Pot Tomato

In trying to figure out where to plant all my tomatoes this year, and how to not put them in the same places as last year, I thought I'd put some where I've usually planted cucumbers and peas. The soil there isn't so good though, and I wasn't sure how to remedy that. Then, I thought - why don't I take some old ratty plastic pots and bust out the bottom? Then I can put a bunch of good soil and compost in the pot above the ground and the roots can go out the bottom and get as big as they want. The soil should also be warmer, which I think is a good thing too. So far I have 2 planted and I'm planning 3 more. Or, maybe one more tomato and a couple peppers. I haven't quite decided.

We'll see how well it works. I'll keep you posted.

**Tomato pictured above is a Cherry Roma.**

First ripe strawberries!

Strawberries!
Originally uploaded by Lorika13.

I picked the first ripe "June Bearing" berry on May 30th. Maybe I should call them May Bearing now? Seems to get earlier every year, I'll have to keep closer track now and see.

So far I've been getting about a pint a day, but it seems like they're really gearing up for a big harvest soon. Last year, if I remember correctly, I had a few days with 3 pints or so. I know I had enough to freeze anyway. Mmmm smoothies in the winter with fresh berries from the garden.