June 28, 2004 link
The 2004 photo galleries are now open (1, 2, 3). They will be updated throughout the summer.
June 22, 2004 link
In the above photo, you can see how the recently-constructed Bunker (left side) casts a big shadow in the late afternoon. The back reaches of the garden get decent sunlight from 11AM - 3PM. Then the shade arrives.
As a result, many of the plants are developing slowly. After emerging from the ground, they just sit there. They should be developing large leaves and getting taller. Instead, they just…aren’t.
I can’t complain. The neighbors have every right to build an ugly new condo, if they wish. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work this land.
So we’ll see what happens. This is a great growing experiment, and will be conducted as such. The challenge is to find ways to maximize the sunny central areas of the yard.
On a positive note, the corn and raspberries look great. They get plenty of sun. The corn is over a foot tall, and the raspberries are spreading vigorously.
June 21, 2004 link
In a rush of bizzare inspiration, I built a Ramshackle Trellis out of knarly forked sticks. I just pushed the ends of the sticks into the ground, and formed a
tepee shape. The sticks are woven together so that they support each other, I hope. We’ll see what happens after a windy storm, or when they have 15 pounds of cucumber vines hanging from them.
June 20, 2004 link
I undertook a massive Weed Elimination Campaign on Saturday. Ignoring the huge pile of dirty laundry in my room—and the equally huge pile of dirty dishes in the kitchen—I focused all my energy on chopping, hacking, uprooting and composting every little speck of green that wasn’t invited into the veggie beds. In my zeal, I also trespassed into the construction lot next door to uproot anything that might possibly spread through the chain-link fence into my territory. I took no prisoners.
Gardening is often described as a nurturing activity, but it also satisfies our basic urges to destroy. Killing weeds is fun, especially when you do it like a man. No chemicals or power tools; just brute force and determination.
June 13, 2004 link
Chicago’s endless winters (5 months) can be painful, but the reward is worth it. Nothing beats our glorious summers. Whether it’s spent chillin’ at the beach, cheering for the Cubs or White Sox (never both), or outdoor dining in one of Chicago’s historic neighborhoods, each day of summer is treasured.
For me, summer truly begins on the day the tomatoes are planted. Yesterday, I visited the garden center and came back with way too many tomato and pepper seedlings. Summer has arrived.
Here’s what’s going down in the garden:
- Tomatoes: As usual, I probably bought too many tomato plants. I got 8 big whoppers, and 4 plum types. Last year I had a problem with squirrels munching on the fruits, so 12 plants may not be so bad after all.
- Green Beans: They’re starting to emerge from the ground. Soon they’ll be winding up the poles. Since they grow vertically, bean plants produce a lot of food in just a little bit of space.
- Corn: The corn plants are about 6 inches tall. They might be knee-high way before the fourth of July. I need to figure out a way to protect the ears from squirrels. Maybe some sort of netting…
- Okra: I planted lots of it, but it hasn’t germinated yet. I’ve lived in Chi-town all my life, but sometimes I think I must have spent a past life in Georgia. I love that good old southern cookin’.
- Collards: Love the stuff. I scattered patches of it all over, where the big leaves will provide a nice backdrop for other, smaller plants.
- Peanuts: These are usually grown in the southern United States, not in the Midwest. But I decided to give them a shot. I hope they do okay, because I gave them a big piece of land right in the center of the garden.
- Zucchini: Last year, they got hit with a disease. Hopefully, they’ll do better this time.
- Pumpkins: It will be fun to have some little pumpkins this Fall.
- Basil: Pesto or bust.
- Onions: I’ve concluded that every good recipe begins with chopping an onion. You can never have too many of them.
- Sage: Planted last year, it has flourished. Right now, the sage patch is covered with purple flowers.
- Parsley: Also covered in flowers. Getting ready to drop some seeds, I hope. I want the parsley patch to become permanent.
- Rosemary: Looking good.
- Raspberries: On the cusp of fruiting.
- Lettuce: It has been struggling. I should plant a second wave.
- Radishes: Seem to be taking a long time to mature.
- Dill: The tiny little sprouts haven’t changed in weeks. They initially shot up an inch, then stopped growing. At least they’re still alive.
- Cucumbers: Starting to push up through the soil. I need to create some sort of trellis system.
- Broccoli: The leaves got punctured by heavy rain—to the point where they barely even exist anymore. The broccoli plants look more like twigs than plants. But they’re still hanging on.
- Sweet Peppers: I put most of them in the front of the garden, because I think they’re attractive plants. Not in a sick way, but aesthetically.
- Jalapeno Peppers: Okay—these little suckers are hot…in a sick way. Is it just me, or is spicy food an aphrodisiac?
Overall, I think the garden will be very good this year. I’m making better use of the space, and things are more densely packed. The weeds also seem to be less of a problem…so far.
