My Garden + My Garden Must Haves.
I’ve always wanted to garden, but living in Arizona the last 11 years I just didn’t think it was possible. This is coming from the girl who killed her succulents! Fast forward to house shopping in Iowa last March, the home we ended up choosing had two raised garden beds already in the backyard. I took it as a sign that all my garden dreams could come true.
I started planting my garden a few weeks after we moved in. Here’s what we started out with:
yellow squash
zuchinni
3 types of tomatoes
basil
rosemary
cilantro
jalepeno peppers
kale
What I also discovered is that there was already strawberries planted and coming back from a previous season, as well as several tomato plants too! And something I haven’t quite identified yet either. I’ve asked around and some say it’s a green bean and some have said something from the squash family. I plan on taking some pics to local nursery and seeing if they can’t help identify it as well. Otherwise I’m ripping it out if it’s not anything that is going to grow- because it’s starting to take over my garden beds in several areas. If you aren’t following along with my garden updates on Insta jump on over there and take a look. I like to post weekly garden updates. Check out the highlight here.
Fortunately, for myself Iowa has a good amount of normal rain for this climate and time of year. I don’t have to think much about watering it. I’ve watered it myself from time to time, but mostly the rain takes care of it for me. I haven’t used any fertilizer on my garden except for the compost I collect and rake into the soil on a weekly basis. Also, no chemical pesticides either.
Things are growing and it’s so exciting to see. We’ve already harvested kale, and the squash, cilantro and basil. A few things I’ve learned so far, I had no idea that the squash plants were going to grow as big has they have. Next year, I plan on moving those to their own beds. And planting a herb garden in a separate bed. I have some space to the left of the garden bed that will be perfect for another bed.
I’ve gathered a few garden tools that I love, we didn’t have a use for any of these items when we lived in Arizona so most all of this we bought new or it was given to us by family and friends. But here’s a few things I’ve loved having and a few must have tools for your garden.
Garden gloves, I love these rubber ones for gripping weeds to pull and then using them when picking my squash. Squash has little prickly things on the vines and these gloves don’t allow them to poke through.
Garden hand tool set- these are my fave. They allow me to rake in my compost and dig the small holes for planting and just have been a very useful purchase.
Obviously you’re going to need a hose for watering, and I’ve found a watering wand to be helpful to reach hanging plants if you have them. Like I said I’m going to add another raised bed next year, and I found this one that has good reviews that I love.
Everything else I love is linked above. I hope you found this post helpful, I can’t wait to share with you more of my garden journey. Stay tuned for more. Are you a gardener? If so, what are some of your tips and tricks? I’m always wanting to learn more and see what has been helpful. Share them with me below!