How the greenhouse structure has improved my gardening

So, I was given a small collapsible greenhouse that my grandpa wasn't using. I have had the structure for about three months and I cant believe the growth of the vegetables which are all in pots due to the clay soil I have at my apartment. The crops I am growing are sweet corn, swiss chard, golden beets, cucumber, purple majestic potatoes, zucchini and lemon grass.

Also, I had an aphid problem that was affecting my tomatoes with leaf curl and my Aunt Ruby tomato, leaves were turning soft and limp as well as some blooms dropping off. I am not sure what is going on, but I do have some ladybug friends which has cut down on the problem. I also have the wondrous black slugs that feast when the sun goes down. I found that the best method is to hand pick them off which is also a recommendation in the Horticulture magazine. Well, I would love to share some photos and get any feed back.

I find this summer has ignited my desire to grow as I enjoy being a plant detective when insects or diseases arise it is my job to solve the mystery.

Ruby's got some fruit growing

Golden beet, I love beets

just another angle of the zucchini

Decorative pots outside the greenhouse to jazz it up. Calla lilly, lobelia, petunia and potato vine

Borage, oregano, with osemary in the back along with sorrel in the clay pot.

Fun by the front door with Buddha as the peace greeter a fern and sedum bloomin

golden beets with some lemon grass, love that as a tea

rainbow swiss chard

cucumber being grown in a topsy turvy, haha

I am so happy to see multiple cucumbers on the vine, yeah

Aunt Ruby, lookin good girl

Sweet corn, my first time growing corn so excited.

Zucchini there are five on this plant and they are sharing the pot with some beets.

Swiss chard, beets, green zebra, zucchini

My gardening life

I have been absent due to transitioning into a new job which was a big adjustment with a 45 min commute and the new position is very physical. Well, on to sharing what I have been doing since my last post. I have been going on hikes around Darrington and Granite Falls which have been so beautiful to see the new sites.

Also, I recently got a greenhouse from my grandpa it is 5ft by 5ft by 6ft. So, I am so excited because I put my tomatoes, potatoes, swiss chard, golden beets and french sorrel. Well, I will be taking more pics to see if the greenhouse is helping the veggies grow.

Fushia called hazel

so beautiful, Hazel

My front entrance with buddha as a peaceful greeting

The greenhouse with my goodwill flower baskets

Inside the greenhouse beets, zucchini, swiss chard, lemon grass

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My swiss chard, looking good

My german butter ball and purple majestic potatoes. This is my first time and I am so excited

Tomatoes 'green zebra' and Brandywine' also 'husky rose' which is not looking to great but I am thinking good thoughts.

Beauty in looking at others gardens

So, I had the pleasure of dogsitting in Seattle. And, I also explored other peoples gardens while walking the dogs. The weather in Seattle was beautiful, sunny and high 60's.  I cant believe how much joy I get from seeing spring flowers in bloom as well as the fragrance they give. I think that there is beauty all around us we just need to take the time to slow down and enjoy it. Also, there is much inspiration in venturing out and seeing others gardens. Here are some pics if inspiration:

Pieris Japonica, one of my favorites

Euphorbia

Epimedium

Hellebore

Garden renovation project

Well, I just wanted to share my first real garden renovation project. So, I was asked to come up with an idea for a new vegetable garden. As the home owners wanted to pull out the rail road ties that had been there since they moved in 17 years ago.

Before I started I drew up plans based upon the gardener's desired wants, those were a culinary herb bed, cut flower bed, vegetable garden with crop rotation. I really enjoyed this process of planning and drawing as it gave me the opportunity to research garden designs, soil amendment needs, vegetable crops to grow and crop rotation plans.

This project is still in the renovation stages and the overall process is fun to be apart of. I cant wait to see the end results. So, I will keep everyone posted on the progress in the mean time here are some photos. 

Wow, those railroad ties are gonna be heavy.

Before the renovation such a great space, I am excited to get started.

We are ready to begin, yeah

Oh man, that was work those ties were heavy but glad I am done. So, fun to start with a clean slate.

Wow, look at that earthworm they were everywhere in the railroad ties.

Blouder River Trail Arlington, WA

Well, I awoke today to blue skies and a need for an adventure. So, I start surfing the website for nearby trails and I come across one called Boulder River Trail which is a 45 min drive from Arlington, WA.

Here is a little trail information: 7mi round trip hike, open all year round, easy hike with beautiful waterfalls, moss and trees. The road in is a single lane and when I went still some snow but beautiful. Also, keep your eyes open as the road is hard to find as I passed it, the road is French Creek.

So, I didn't do the whole trail as it was snowing but hiked for two hours. I was so taken by the peace, beauty and the two waterfalls. This place is a great hike to get out of town and see the beauty we have in Washington. I took my camera and was glad I did so many great photos.

I hope as you look over the pictures you get the peace and joy that I got being there. I also hope this inspires you to venture out when your inner voice calls. I think this is a great way to spend a day enjoying what nature has to offer.

Whitehorse Mountain in Darrington, WA

Beautiful mossy tree on trail

Fern with icicles, burr

The trail ands there is still snow.

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A fallen tree which had a mini waterfall coming down the rock wall.