I really don't have much (almost no) experience in gardening ^^
I studied a lot about Permaculture a while ago, but only the theory. So I was really happy when the owner of the off-grid homestead we're house-sitting right now offered us to start the garden for him in spring!
I'm so glad about this opportunity, I really want to learn this! I hope to have a garden on my own one day and grow food for my family :-)
On our last tour to the market we bought some seeds. We haven't done any research beforehand, we basically just grabbed some vegetable seeds, that we thought would be nice to have ^^
Two different varieties of lettuce, leek, beet roots and courgette.
Then about two weeks ago we had a some really warm days and it totally felt like spring. So one day we prepared the garden beds and did a bit of research on the seeds we had bought to know how deep to sow them and so on.
We read that lettuce is easy to plant and good for beginners, so that was pleasant to know ^^
And for the first time in my life I planted vegetable seeds, so exciting!
Yeah, but we are obviously not quite familiar with the Bulgarian Mountain weather.
A few days later it got super cold again and we had frost at night and even snow ^^
So that was that. I don't think any of the seeds have survived this.
Plan B now was to pre-grow the plants in little pots on the windowsill. We should have done this in the first place. The owner of the house even recommended that, but it really seemed like spring was here already!
So now the little plants are living happily and safe and sound in their pots by the window.
A friend who is living nearby told us it would be fairly safe to plant them in the garden by the end of April, so we'll see how big they have grown until then.
For now the lettuce is doing pretty well (the cute little seedlings in the first picture) and I can already see the tiny leek plants working their way out of the soil :-)
So far gardening is really exciting! I enjoy caring for the little plants and seeing them grow. Can't wait to replant them in the garden beds to see them grow even bigger!
I hope we are still around when the first lettuce is ready for harvesting. I read that lettuce is pretty quick in growing, so we'll see :-)
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Good luck with your garden! I live in a similar place, it will feel like spring one day and then dump snow on you the next. We're supposed to be getting more snow this week, but we shall see. It's right around freezing temperature now. Always better to start seeds indoors here, too!
Yeah, we really should have listened to the locals, stupid foreigners ^^
But today I've seen, that some of the lettuce seeds are sprouting in the garden! Despite the cold! I thought they were all dead!
Let's hope I don't mistake it for some random weeds though ^^
Lettuce is a good cold(er) weather plant, they're pretty hardy!
es gardening is a deeply meditative method - especially for me. Coming from a farming background, I am quite familiar with the methods. And a tip: When locals say something about the weather - they are usually right. From experience I know that many factors play a role in the success of a garden and even I still learn something. With a new garden you must first find out what grows at all. Because not every garden is the same. Important is: Do not give up!
And if you want very early in the year on the road is a greenhouse or cold frame the non plus ultra.
Beginners I still recommend the garden guru: Wolf-Dieter Storl and his books: Der Selbstversorger
Ah, thanks for the tip. I think I've heard that name before, will check it out!
Yes, trying and practice seems to be the only way ^^ I hope everything goes well now that I planted the seeds in the pots. We're gonna replant them at the end of the month I guess and hope everything works out ^^
Unfortunately it's not my own garden and we have to leave the place eventually at some point. But I'm looking forward to having my very own place to try and experiment and learn :)
Gardening was really difficult. It's okay if you failed, at least you have try!
I think it'll work out in the end, now that I grow them in the pots first ^^ And I only have a few different veggies, just to start and to try :)
Obviously gardening is one of the things that you absolutely can't learn in theory, you have to do it yourself ^^
Thanks a lot for the comment <3
And if you dont have experience, you have to do again and again. It was me, I have no experiences so when i failed i do again and again.
So true, that seems to be the only way :)
I always have plenty of "fails" in the garden, every damn year. I am no master gardener but I have been plugging away at it for years in whatever capacity I can. Now that we have a permanent spot, and a greenhouse ~ I still have fails. In fact, I need to go out to the greenhouse today and put some more seeds in a few of my trays, because we had such a hard freeze that even in the greenhouse I lost some babies.
Right now you probably can plant brassicas (broccoli, kohlrabi, cabbage, etc) and spinach usually does decent in cold. Peas (sugar, snap) also don't mind the chill. And you were planting a bit early for the ground so all you really lost was a head start.
Happy planting and keep at it!
Ah, that's good to hear. Gardening obviously is one of the things where only practice and trying can lead to success. But it's so much fun and such a grounding activity. I'll definitely keep on experimenting until we have to leave this place again.
Thanks for the planting tips, I'll see if I can get some broccoli and spinach seeds on the next market mission day!
Good luck with your little babies in the greenhouse! <3
All part of the learning curve, keep trying and something will take root. I have never done any gardening worth mentioning so I am impressed with your efforts.
Yeah, I need a lot of practice still :D But the little plants seem to do quite well in their pots so I'm pretty confident, everything works out. I'll see how they do when I plant them in the garden in a week or two ^^
damn, I wish I could also sow some seeds
It's spring, just try! I had a little mint plant in a pot, it didn't survive the winter unfortunately, but it was so satisfying to watch it grow and care for it :) And for a short time I always had fresh mint leaves for tea :-)
luckily I also got some plants, but dont have more space :/
hopefully I manage to get a garden this year
That sounds great! I hope to have a garden on my own too one day. This is a great first experience, but I'm looking forward to experiment and learn more at my own place :)
Try Again and Learn from Your Mistakes
One Day you'll eat your own grown beet roots ;)
Yeih, I'm looking forward to it! That's gonna be a great day! I hope we are still around when the first lettuce is ready to eat, that would be nice :)