It had been two weeks since I got some newbie greens for my container garden. Within that time, it was still freezing during the night. So I couldn´t plant the tomatoes and the lettuce in containers outside. We´ve had between -2°C to -4°C in the night. I couldn´t take the containers inside the flat because I do not have that much space.
I have oregano, rosemary, basil, tomatoes, bell pepper and mini cucumber. The rosemary is frost tough and sustained the temps outside, unfortunately the oregano and the rest are frost sensitive.
I can't wait for the day when I can start planting in containers outside. My goodness, yesterday was already officially Spring. (calendar-wise!) I'm used to this as I've been planting in containers for years, even on the roof of our former house. The reason I had my pots on the top terrace was because of the slugs in the garden. We had a lot of them coming from the fields that surrounded the whole complex. They always devastated my flowering plants overnight.
Now that I only have a balcony, well...I have to make use of it. Last weekend, we got two new wooden trellis. I can attach the branches of the tomatoes particularly the cherry tomato variety that I had before. They really grow so tall and branch out so fast. Instead of bamboo sticks or metal spirals, the trellis should be of help to my plants.
The lettuce newbies are in dire need to be planted already, I will try tomorrow but perhaps will have to put a transparent cover for the top to protect them from frost.
I already bought a pouch of onions that already need planting, the box is ready for them but the weather is not.
Last year, I only had two cherry tomatoes and another variety called beefsteak tomatoes. And I was succesful with those since I really had plenty of harvest here and here.
I was more surprised to see that my celery plant from last year has been sprouting since days and with many new leaves, and i am über happy... I thought the plant is frost sensitive. I know now that I do not need to discard the bottom of a bought celery, instead I will plant them in containers to have ingredients for my cooking and salads this Summer.
Still hoping that the temperatures will soon be warmer.... am crossing my fingers!
If I would have chosen what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would have chosen to be a farmer. That was my dream because my Mom had a beautiful garden well taken cared by someone she hired who really knew how a garden would flourish. The man was a gardener and I envied his plants on our ground located behind our canteen in mid 60s. My dream of becoming a farmer did not materialize, being the only girl growing up with five boys, I chose to be practical and became an accountant instead.
I remember the thick healthy spinach, the purple yum called ube as well as the banana trees planted along the path to the creek, the parsley and the upo (gourd) and many more. How I cherised those moments when we only had to go behind the canteen to harvest fresh tomatoes and potatoes... Fond memories that still got stuck in my mind...that was kind of a paradise place for me.
All images are owned by me, @mers
