Phaedra's Garden 2022

[Phaedra]

I am happy that you are able to grow starts in water. I have Never had success that way.
This year I planted sweet potatoes in 4 inches of dirt, the potatoes at the bottom, and got lots of starts.
They are waiting to go in their bed, but the bed isn't ready for them, yet.
I will prep the bed this week and get them in. It's going to be close to 100 degrees F for the next 4 days, lovely tropical sweet potato weather.

I always grow sweet potato shoots in water and transplant them for harvesting their leaves. So the main plants would keep their leaves for producing the roots, while the propagated ones grow a good amount of leaves for me (to stirfry).

However, it's very difficult here to get the slips from a sweet potato directly. Most of the sweet potatoes we can get here are imported. I ordered young plants from a specific nursery and would like to keep some harvest for sprouting next year.

 

[Phaedra]

Working in the garden almost all day, mowing, trimming, and cleaning

I like this small border outside the hoop tunnel and expect those dwarf sunflowers to bloom.

The new cycle starts, too. Tomorrow I would like to sow more vegetables and flowers.

 

[Phaedra]

Small Garden in Cologne

DH has two weeks' leave, so we have much more time to do things together. It's his first time having brunch in this garden. I will still say it's better than any place we can find in the surrounding.

Look at these warmth-loving vegetables! They're really happy about the high temperature. We will have above 30°C/86°F here three days this week.

In just about a month, the growth is so obvious.

The "lazy onions" - just sat on the ground, and I used grass clippings to hold their positions. They are growing well, and their roots are already in the soil, no longer moveable. I will try the same way in our garden for potatoes and onions.

Turmeric sprouts from the rhizomes bought from the supermarket

Cucumbers start climbing on the quail coop. Bush beans are also growing quickly.

Our small oasis, hidden in a big city

 

[Phaedra]

Small Garden in Cologne

The left side of the garden - hanging basket area
There are also containers on the ground - I sowed sugar peas, bush beans, and garlic (for harvesting garlic green).

Next time I am here, I will sow dwarf marigolds on the ground (right below those hanging baskets). So when I water the plants in the basket, the excessive water can go to the containers and the marigolds.

 

[Phaedra]

It's never too old to learn.

I dug out more bulbs, cleaned the plastic planters, added palletized manure, and buried the small Dahlia tubers. The planters have constraints, but now I realize how to use them best.

In late autumn, said end of November (after several touches of frost to avoid tulip fire), I will bury tulip bulbs so they can start to grow slowly. In spring, we can enjoy or sell the flowers.

From the beginning of June, bulbs would be gradually lifted after the plants die back. The planters would be cleaned up for Dahlias - they are not the best choices for hosting Dahlias; however, they are very suitable for those single or small tubers to grow into big clumps. In other words, those small/single tubers can be nursed well here, as long as I control the number of flowers.

Then, after the first frost, Dahlias would be lifted, and the planters would be prepared for tulip bulbs again.

Three beds are still waiting to be cleaned soon, and I will plant more Taiwanese basils, bush beans, and the rest of the Dahlia tubers.

Harvested: Cauliflowers, broccoli, sugar peas, strawberries, pea shoots, parsley, and chamomiles.

Also, some broad beans.

Strawberries and pea shoots immediately became part of our brunch.

I put the potted plants (Dahlias, Peonies) under the young fruit trees - It's the 8-10 sunlight zone. When we water the potted plants, the excessive water will also go to the fruit tree. Meanwhile, they can more or less block the weeds in the surrounding.

 

[Phaedra]

Small Garden in Cologne

The vegetables and fruits in the small garden are happy with the heat wave.

As the "lazy onions" grow well, I buried five small sprouted potatoes inside the grass clipping. Let's see.

In the full sunlight zone, I put one potted young fig tree and one potted zucchini - we can enjoy both their pretty leaves and delicious fruits.

 

[baymule]

I love your brunch table in the garden. It will take me awhile, but I want a pretty yard, garden and an oasis. I love your beautiful gardens. You inspire me!

 

[Phaedra]

My favorite photo today is the bee and the tiny asparagus flowers

The sweet peas start to blossom.

Each variety has its own fragrance, so charming!

The efforts are all worthy.

Sweet potatoes are ready to be transplanted.

I lifted all tulip bulbs and let them rest in a cool and dark place so that they would dry in a few days. Then I can clean them up for storage. All the plastic planters are again fully booked.

 

[Phaedra]

I love your brunch table in the garden. It will take me awhile, but I want a pretty yard, garden and an oasis. I love your beautiful gardens. You inspire me!

Let's inspire each other and build our oasis bit by bit. 🥰

Gardening is the master that teaches us patience. After three years, I finally saw the first Hayatama pear. This year, there are totally three pears growing.

I guess it will take some more years to have a better harvest. I can't wait to see them ripe like the photo below.

 

[Phaedra]

Beautiful Roses in Our Big Garden