I’m sure that at least one of you is dying to hear whatever came of my sunflowers. In short: I killed them. In long: I killed them very, very slowly.
After I finally decided that 8 ft. mammoth sunflowers were not meant to survive in 10 inch tall pots, I decided to try something a little less tricky. And what could be less tricky than vegetable gardening?
Who wouldn’t want to eat a squash grown on some lady’s apartment patio? I know I’m hungry just thinking about it.
I made the very deliberate effort to maintain my gardening rule of only asking for the tracest amount of advice and doing little to no research. My little rule failed me when it came to sunflowers, but I was certain I would do better with actual produce.
Eric teased me. He joked that our family would have no food in winter if my crop didn’t take.
I withstood the taunting and today I would like to present some choice pictures from this year’s mighty harvest.
This is a personal sized watermelon. They don’t grow much bigger than a kick ball. I have three or four of them growing right now, but this one looks the most promising to make it before the freeze sets it. Yep.
I was told not to hang laundry on my porch. My silent protest was to have pumpkin and cantaloupe vines hanging over the edge. No lessons were learned. The apartment manager lady LOVES my garden and the lady underneath me thanks me for the foliage. They’ll get theirs.
In this pot I grew carrots. Some of the carrots were very tasty and I put them in salads or ate them alone. Others of the carrots were not very good and I gave them to the kids and their friends. Their standards aren’t as high.
This is a cucumber. I have maybe six or seven, but this was the first one to be chopped up and eaten. He was very tasty and the kids only momentarily made the Larry the Cucumber connection.
All in all, I’d have to say that I really enjoyed container vegetable gardening. I look forward to next season. It almost makes staying in this dumpy apartment with a patio in full sun worth it.
Briana says:
Wow. Good job. I can’t even keep my trees alive, much less vegetables.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Lori says:
Well done! Several years ago after asking little advise and doing little research myself I decided to take the Master Gardening class. What did I learn? I learned that it’s too stinkin hard to garden in Austin, TX. I will say though that container gardening is much easier than “regular” gardening - the bug and soil and the water problems are significantly diminished because of the controlled environment. About March get a big old ugly 5 gallon bucket and plant some potatoes. You will be so gratified! The foliage is beautiful and the produce is abundant.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Eric's Wife says:
This goes against my policy, but I have to ask. Do you slice the potatoes or do you just plant them whole?
-end policy violation-
November 11th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Daesha says:
What yummy veggies you have. And kids are supposed to eat more veggies if they help grow them! Did it work?
November 11th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Daesha says:
And you just plant the eyes. On the potatoes. Not the children.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Eric's Wife says:
HaHa, Daesha. I’m glad you clarified.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Jenni says:
You go, girl. You talented thing, you.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Lori says:
Yup, just the eyes….
November 11th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Lori says:
oh and five gallons of dirt…they are rhizomes.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Theresa says:
Next year you are going to be able to start a certified farmer’s market. Your friend can join you and sell her aprons and other vintage fabric crafts. Your apartment complex will become the most organic place there.
I had wondered about the sunflowers but I didn’t want to ask any sad questions.
Also How is Charlie??
November 11th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Kim Heinecke says:
You are a regular Caroline Ingalls. So proud of you.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Fave Cousin Gina says:
My mom will be SO PROUD
I am proud of your “silent protest”. YOU GO ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF!!!
November 12th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
deleise says:
Kim I was totally going to make a Little House on the Prairie reference. Very cool, Amy.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:04 pm