Gardening

I'm moving the garden to containers on the deck this spring and truly look forward to growing fresh fruits and vegetables again. The last time I thoroughly planned our garden beds, the kids were in elementary school. Life has a way of bringing us back to what matters.

I've been focusing on our budget and cutting back on expenses since losing my job back in March. As a result, I turned to Temu for some garden supplies including raised boxes that should work well on the deck. Hopefully this change is convenient and reduces the time we invest and physical labor associated with yard gardens of the past. Supposedly the raised beds purchased are self-watering. I have my doubts, but am willing to do some experimentation and hope for the best.

Tomato varieties, especially heirlooms and large leaf basil are my priorities for the family, used in homemade sauce and meatballs. I freeze rather than can because we don't have the storage space required, though I enjoy canning. 

A word of caution about Temu seeds: Most seed packets turn up from China without instructions, often unlabeled. Since multiple locations mail them out, you'll have no idea what arrives, how to plant them, the sun requirements, etc. Items that should have been bulbs or corms are delivered to you as tiny seeds. Save your money. I'm planning some experimentation, but sorting through the seeds will take up a lot of room or take years to work through, and I sincerely doubt it will be worth the effort.

The strawberry seeds, however, are identifiable, though growing strawberries from seeds can be challenging. When the kids were really little, we tried it with some free seeds and nothing happened. I purchased small plants and babied them so the kids could see them growing. Thankfully, we learned a lot all those years ago, and reviving the patch on the side of the house should be relatively easy this time around. I'll also try container gardening for the deck with the same plants.

If cheap seeds are unmarked, imagine the issues people have with tree and bush starts. No, thank you. The plastic containers from Temu should work fine, though we haven't tested them. This should take some time and documentation to sort. We look forward to some sugar snap peas, pole beans, and flowers, though I've yet to purchase those seeds. 

I sincerely hope that your weather is better than ours. If not, thinking spring and planning your garden helps.

Happy garden planning,

Heather