sunny day planting.

I couldn't wait any longer to plant, even though I didn't give myself much time. I feel like I have so many plans for my yard but as long as I get a little further each year, I'm okay with it. I'm also okay with planting things and having them go wrong so I can learn - such as my fiasco last year with tomatoes. The pots were too small, holes weren't drilled for drainage on the bottom, I staked them poorly...BUT I learned. And one plant produced! Not large fruit or many, but darn it - I had some tomatoes!

I purchased extra large pots this year and each one has a huge V-trellis that will support the plants much better. A lady that I made friends with at home depot said she always plants marigolds around the bottom of her tomatoes because she heard it keeps the bugs out. I'm not sure if that's true or not - or if I have a bug problem - but I'm trying it because I haven't planted marigolds from seeds before so I'm willing to try anything. I wasn't sure what I was going to plant in the deck flower boxes that were built by amazing family members last year but since that area gets full sun and my yard doesn't, I didn't want to waste the space on flowers but wanted to plant something I could eat! I bought tons of romaine lettuce and to further prove how little I know about plants, I thought the lettuce was in one huge bunch and was surprised when I went to plant that I had purchased way too many as they were all individual leaves! I had no idea how far apart to plant them or how large they will grow...I just guessed and planted the leaves (I can't get over how SMALL they are - about 4 inches apart. I'll read up tonight and see how off base I was.

It got dark so fast since I didn't make it out until late and I was trying to plant flower seeds among the lettuce (the lady at Home Depot recommended some flowers for me to plant amongst them by seed as well...said it would make them pretty). I hope it's okay to do that but as I said before, it's all a learning period for me.

I also planted some red cabbage and Dutch collard greens in a small flower box on the end. Those aren't veggies I eat much of but will certainly indulge if they grow! Romaine - on the other hand - is a staple item around the Bond house which anyone who has had Mark's Caesar salad will understand. :)

I plan on finding a few seconds of spare time and planting rosemary, basil, thyme (same as last year) tomorrow alongside lavender and sage. The last two are news deck plants for me this year and I couldn't find oregano - apparently Home Depot doesn't have any yet. I was really disappointed that they had no varieties of basil other than sweet but I'm keeping a few containers open in case they get some in a few weeks.

I feel a lot more collected now that I got a few things done. There is still so much to do but I am excited to enjoy it...not feel overwhelmed.