It’s almost time for this gardener to get some lettuce growing in the vegetable garden and I don’t have a lettuce update yet for the GROW project but I can show you how the basil and marigold seeds have done. We’ve been suffering from drought over the last few weeks and watering on a daily basis is becoming a necessary evil. You’ll see why when you peak at my ‘Italian Cameo’ Basil. It’s really not doing much right now. The dry weather is taking a toll on my potted plants (which aren’t many). The ‘Italian Cameo’ basil grows smaller than other basils which is ideal for planting in pots. It has the same flavor as the larger Italian basils.
The ‘Yellow Splash’ marigold is putting on a pretty show near some tomatoes. ‘Yellow Splash’ has a bright yellow flower which must be the reason for its name. It gets shaded by the tomatoes and would be much better out in a full sun location. It would look awesome planted enmass with some ‘Purple Homestead’ verbena surrounding it. Too bad I didn’t think of that before! It could be an nice choice for designing a completely yellow garden. Marigolds sometimes get a reputation of being too common but there is definitely something to be said for a plant that needs little maintenance once planted and puts out a copious amount of blooms in late August and September.
Previous GROW project Updates:
My marigolds are going gangbusters, but they're not pure yellow like yours. 🙂
I've been trying to get some lettuce started soon but we keep getting killer hot days that do the sprouts in.
It is getting close to lettuce and spinach container gardening here. Marigolds are excellent plants for the hot and dry areas.
I have planted some lettuce as well as Baby Bok Choy. I hope it cools off a bit so it will help. Sure do need to weed but it's still so hot out.
Dave,
I was ready to do exactly what you did, plant some swiss chard, spinach and some lettuce later. The swiss chard and spinach sprouted and I was so excited to anticipate a fall crop.
Then, the next day I went out and the rabbits had it all of it to the ground. Oh well, I still have the lettuce seeds to plant.
Eileen
Dave, It is a rainy and humid evening. Good time to check in with your Blog and others I am following. I have never heard of that shorter Basil. Must try that next year. Whenever I read about your vegetables or other gardens with lots of vegetable I get jealous. My garden here had been overtaken with all the day lilies I hybridized. I want my vegie garden back. Hopefully next year I will have the room. I have been giving away many of the more than 450 day lilies I hybridized over the last four year, just so I can get a larger area for growing vegetables. The flowers were nice. I have posted a number of them recently, but I like to eat. So it is time to give them away and make room. Jack
These are beautiful photos. I truly believe one of the first ways you can make a home your own is by creating a garden. All the blood, sweat, and tears poured into a garden can really make you feel at home.