Ants!

"Red Ants...ugh!"

"They've taken over the backyard!"

Since it's time (pass time) to plant my experimental garden, I decided since I'm not expecting too much from it (it was a long winter, lol) that I would plant it into the ground. Especially since I'm not wanting to waste good soil on plants that are, well...not so healthy. lol So, I started to dig a hole, then two...then I was standing in a swarm of ants. Not just any ants, red fire ants! Ugh! Ouch! :( I thought, how could I of missed them when I started digging. Well, days later, I realized that it wasn't that they were already swarming, they started swarming because I dug right into their home. This prompted me to take a good hard look at the ant holes in my back yard. I knew I had some but I didn't realize there were so many!!!! My husband said to me yesterday that we needed to do something about the ants in the backyard before they get into the house again. He suggested pesticides. ugh Now I'm looking for a natural way to get rid of these ants. Any suggestions?

Ants bite! Monica ;)

Transplanting

I've read that you can plant turnips directly into the ground and I've read you can start them in pods and transplant them. Reading all of these different gardening books has confused me a bit more in some areas. Regardless, I finally transplanted the turnips. They were toppling over. I'm afraid I waited too long and that I'm going to lose them. I even accidentally killed a broccoli plant today. I'm not sure how I did it but I basically snapped it's neck. lol, poor thing.

I took some photos of my progress. My only dissapointment is that I didn't transplant them sooner. However, I'm not entirely sure that would of been the best thing to do either. I'm just going to have to see what happens from this point on.

Transplanted turnips.

Next to be transplanted are the brocolli sprouts.

An area in my backyard that could use some love.

I wanted to plant my "experimental garden" in containers just in case we moved. However, I don't see us moving anytime soon and this empty area in my backyard could use some plants. I'm just not sure what to plant there. It would have to be a plant that requires part sun and part shade. Any ideas?

Transplanting Wishes,
Monica ;0)

100% Chance of Sprouts!

I can't believe all of my sprouts are almost in. The last two holding out is the lettuce and spearmint. I'm hopefull they will sprout soon...hopefully. lol

In the meanwhile, my husband bought me a organic gardening book. I've been engrossed looking at all of the pictures. Everything is broken down in simple terms and to the point. I've become enlightened on gardening ideas, techniques and planning I knew nothing about. I'm starting to feel more confident. I just might be able to pull this thing off.

My mother had some friendly advice, don't put the jalapeno/hot pepper plants next to the tomatoes...the tomatoes can become spicy because of the pollinating bees. Can anyone relate? In any case, I'll be separating the hot plants from the tomatoes. lol

I took a few shots of my seedling garden ...

Time to start transplanting, it came sooner than I thought it would.

Looking refreshed after an evening spritz.

I bought some soil from Lowe's a couple of days ago and I was dissapointed. It was an all natural soil, but it did not advertise it was organic. Since my goal is to have an organic garden, it's important I get the right soil. However, for the price, my husband was happy with the amount we recieved. (3 cu. ft.) And, like I mentioned before, at this stage it's all experimental. Now is the time to play around with different soils and techniques. The soil wasn't like the Miracle Grow soil with time release abilities. Although, I did notice that Miracle Grow makes an organic soil. It has a time relase ability too ... is it really organic if it does? Curious.

Sprouted Wishes,
Monica ;0)