I made some huge progress on mine today, but I don't have time to write it out at the moment.

Edit: Okay so today was the big day we budgeted for. The main project was tearing out these MASSIVE bushes that died hard as fuck due to an unseasonally hard freeze. There was three of them and I was really skeptical we would be able to remove them but my girlfriend absolutely proved me wrong. We ordered some otto luyken cherry laurels to put in the space and I think they're going work out great.

Last season we built two small raised beds and one larger bed, and we also have one additional small patch near our patio that was bricked off. The two smaller beds received a bit of fresh soil, fertilizer and my neighbors turned two of their trees into a community mulch pile which helped a lot.

Bed 1 (herbs): basil and thyme seedlings with dill and thai basil seeds. I also got italian parsley but the seeds said to sow after soaking overnight so they're going in tomorrow.

Bed2: habeneros and two wildcard pepper seedlings that looked really healthy. Last summer I got into fermenting and this summer I think I can perfect my hot sauces. Last year I didn't get the peppers started until May so I'm hopeful the yields will be nicer.

The bigger bed, we're saving for next week. I'm going to grow some amaranth bc it's super easy and I think they look alien af. We've got room for a couple other plants in the bed and haven't really decided what we want to put in it yet. Maybe tomatoes, maybe just more peppers ¯_(ツ)_/¯

My girlfriend set up a flower bed, can't remember their names but she likes them a lot so that's good enough for me. We also found some lavender, a nice small marigold, and a curly-cue rush to put in outdoor pots, a hanging flower of some sort, and a polka-dot pothos looking dude for the bathroom.

It's been a super rewarding day tbh, and I'm really lucky to live in a warm climate.

  • thefunkycomitatus [he/him,they/them]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I started a flat of lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and kale three weeks ago. Started another flat of the same stuff this past week so I can get two harvests out of the cooler months. In two weeks it will be time to start the summer stuff. By which I have roma tomates, vine tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, bell peppers, cayenne peppers, jalepenos, anaheim chilis, and, corn. Then I'm going to do some pumpkins, carrot, and, onions for the fall. This is my second year so I'm just growing supplemental stuff to get the hang of it. Once I can consistently keep stuff alive to harvest I will try to grow for sustenance.

    • kidleviathan [he/him, they/them]
      ·
      4 years ago

      I tried really hard to grow pumpkins last autumn but I couldnt get the seeds for the standard size (for cooking, not jack o lantern) to germinate at all. This is only my second year too, but it's really really fun. I live in the city so I'm doubtful I'd have enough room to grow for sustenance but it's really nice to have fresh herbs and peppers whenever I want them. That's still rad as hell though

      • thefunkycomitatus [he/him,they/them]
        ·
        4 years ago

        I had two varieties as those were the only ones left at the store. I got ghost pumpkins, which were just white and for carving. I also got pie pumpkins. They started out very well. Leaves the size of dinner plates. Long vines, very nice deep green. Then aphids got a hold of them and I didn't notice until they started dying. Then after about a month and a half they were dead. Three pumpkins tried to grow but they all rotted before getting bitter than a tennis ball. Very disappointing. My herbs and peppers probably did the best out of everything last year.

        You'd be surprised at what you could do in the city. If you haven't heard of it try the biointensive method. Check out this book:

        https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/529041.How_to_Grow_More_Vegetables

        Also, try putting seeds in a ziploc with a wet paper towel. Or some you can just soak in water until they sprout. Keep them between 60F and 80F.