My veggies are in...

After a very chilly and windy spring start, I was able to plant my vegetable garden last weekend. It was still very windy, and a couple plants just couldn't take it. I probably should have "hardened them off" a bit longer than I did, but I was anxious to get them in the ground.

Above is one of my tomato plants that I started from seed back in March. At least now our office won't be "glowing" with the grow lights at night!

Above is a zucchini plant that I direct-sowed a couple of weeks ago. Looks like my squash are off to a good start. I planted a couple zucchini, yellow squash, and patty pan varieties.

This is my garden, which is on a hill. After doing some research I found out that for best results I should create individual raised row beds, which help develop the roots and gives more room to move between the rows. It is a lot tidier than last year's willy-nilly arrangement!

After doing more research, I discovered the "self-watering container" method of extending my garden space. I was able to purchase a variety of self-watering contains from a garden supply company (Gardener's Supply Company). They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, like the smaller ones above for my two eggplant plants.

These are the larger containers which can be used for one or two tomato plants (one plant is in the container on the left) or several smaller plants, like peppers. I just have to keep the reservoir filled and the plants get their water from the bottom of the planter. I now have taken advantage of the extra driveway space!

If you're interested in self-watering containers, there's a book that has been very helpful:
Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers by Edward C. Smith.

Hopefully I'll have lots of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, radishes, and brussels sprouts to share this summer an fall!