Signs of New Life and Unwanted Pests!

This week I had to do a lot of catch up because I neglected my plants from the previous week. There were tons of weeds of all different types as well as some rocks and large pieces of wood in between my plants. I assume that all the rainy weather we have had in Florida, as well as the shifting fall climate, is the cause for all the displaced earth and appearance of gravel and sticks. However, after a much needed weeding and re-fertilizing my plot is as good as new!

My tomato transplants have seemed to taken nicely as well as my six eggplants! The eggplants have a deep purple center in the stalk and look to be relatively healthy. That was until I started to see the signs of some pesky pests! 

Signs of New Life!!! This little guy is one of my small carrot sprouts!

Houston, We Have Lift Off! - My First Day of Planting

This week, we have started to learn the different ways plants and crops are actually made. Plants may be grown from seeds or transplants, which are germinated seedlings that are grown in a controlled environment and then moved to be planted in the ground as a baby plant. To help understand the pros and cons of both here are some things to keep in mind when choosing to plant:

Seeds (Pros) - cheaper, easier transportation, 

come in bulk

Seeds (Cons) - chance of "dead" seeds, 

environmental/pest factors

Transplants (Pros) - greater control, selective breeding, 

greater yield/chance of living

Transplants (Cons) - more expansive, needs greenhouse 

and special attention, chance of not surviving when planted 

In my garden beds, I transplanted 4 tomato plants, 6 eggplants, and 4 various kinds out of peppers. My other plants, I have begun to seed. Things like carrots need to be placed just about 1/2 of an inch under the ground and in rows to allow for multiple healthy carrots to grow. Other plants can be planted about 1 in into the ground and be fine with watering and fertilizer.

Until next week, here is a photo of what my plot looks like now, hopefully be this time next week we will start to see some sprouts!

First Look at The Garden - Here's My Garden Plot Plan!

If I could only grow green stuff in my garden like I can in my refrigerator

That's my hope! Ideally, I want to be able to successful grow several types of vegetables, but more importantly I want to be able to grow other types of plants on my own after having taken this course. I am very excited to get down and dirty playing in, what will inevitably become, a very muddy and messy garden due to the sporadic Florida weather. And to be honest, I probably have the brownest thumb out there but with the help of my friends in this class with me, I know it'll be a worth while experience! In fact, check out my friend Tatum's blog who is one of my partners in crime against pests, worms and bad weather while we learn to garden http://tatesgardenblog.blogspot.com/

Look out next week for my garden plot plan! My beds are sure to be full of some of my favorite vegetables like eggplant, peppers, and carrots! Until next time I leave you with this adorable enemy of the garden patch