My mini-pet garden

This year after testing my soil I made a garden plan.  The first thing I wanted to grow was some kind of peas, to help the soil and of course, to eat.  At my local hardware store I found snow pea seeds, and planted them in my backyard.  In the winter and early spring the backyard gets enough sunshine to garden and about the time the peas are done, the trees leaf out, bringing shade.  I used tomato cages for the peas to grow on, and waited.  In the front containers I planted salads, spinach, butter lettuce, and chard.  The salads were the first fruits of my labor, and nothing in the world beat walking outside, gathering leaves, and preparing salad for our supper just minutes before eating that supper.  the peas grew, and I planted onions beside them.  As the air warmed we began picking the peas and eating them right in the pods.  At first we only had a few peas, so I added them to the salads.  As more peas became ready I steamed them with store bought asparagus, and made a meal of the two.  We never had an abundance of peas, but we had enough to enhance our meals.





Now the lettuces are gone, and I have planted tomatoes and cucumbers in the same pots.  I added compost to the soil and mixed well.  I am also using miracle grow, because I know my soil needs so much help.  I hate using the chemical fertilizer, but don't feel like I have a choice with the dirt I have been given.   When you grow in pots the dirt is even more important.  Quality soil, compost, and drainage is important.  These pots dry out fast, and so regular watering is important.  What better way to have a front yard garden, without having to tear out all the grass.  That is what I really want to do, but it is hard in neighborhoods.  So right now I have a pet garden, with just a little fun enhancement for dinners.