Mini Harvest from the Container Garden

Brian and I both had about three cherry tomatoes from the garden yesterday. They were delicious! I also got the blackberry. We've decided that I get the first sample of each since I put in the work. I can't wait for the full size tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers.

Speaking of cucumbers....I think I damaged the roots of my two best cucumber plants during the recent transplant. That's why there aren't pictures, yet. I'm waiting to see if they miraculously rebound before rearranging the garden. I hope to rearrange this week and post pictures soon.

Perked Up Plants & Strangely Growing Blackberry Bush

The plants (even the squash and cucumbers) did perk up after getting some water and some relief from the heat. I transplanted some cucumbers and the blackberry bush tonight. Speaking of the blackberry bush.....It's growing strangely. See for yourself:


It seems like only one branch has grown at all - straight out the side. Should I prune it? I'm not sure. I'll have to research it in my "spare time." I hear that's when people do things like research gardening, so if I ever find some spare time, I'll try it. I did transplant the bush into a bigger container tonight.

Those are my keys in the bottom for scale.

And, finally, there is some COLOR in my garden! Beautiful tomatoes!!


Lots of green ones, too.

These are the cherry tomatoes, but my regular tomatoes are getting nice and big. They're still green, though.

Hopefully tomorrow, I will set up the garden and have new pictures of the changes. I'm very excited about re-creating the space!

Poor Drained Plants

This is what my precious plants looked like when I returned home from work this evening:

Squash


Cucumbers


And even my hardy tomato plants!


I'm hoping water will perk these vegetable plants back up to their normal selves. The heat really seems to be the culprit. Perhaps the coming changes (including a lot of transplanting) will help.....But probably not if it's the heat.

My Office Sunflower

So, here's my office sunflower. I think it's reached it's maximum height. Now, it's working on producing a beautiful flower to greet me each day. I've thought about transplanting it to a bigger pot, but I've heard that sunflowers don't transplant well. I wonder if my hybrid-designed-for-containers sunflower would tolerate the move. Any thoughts?

Changes in the Garden....Coming Soon to a Blog Near You!

So, Chuck at Lowe's thinks I'm crazy for growing squash, cucumbers, and blackberries in a container garden. I'm thinking about transplanting the blackberry bush in the apartment's yard (which means it would not move with us when we move). I'm not quite sure where I would plant it, yet. And, it would free up a planter for squash or cucumbers.

I'm also planning to transplant most of the squash and cucumbers so they aren't overcrowded. I haven't quite decided about the transplanting, yet, but hopefully, I'll have it figured out before I start tonight!

Why so Wilty, Squash? Cucumbers?

So, my squash and cucumbers seem to be wilty each afternoon. they perk up in the evening. Is it just because of the heat? I've moved them to the shade, but they seem *less* happy there. They perk up whether or not I give them water, so, it's not that.....Suggestions?

My "Contained" Garden!

From left to right: (back row) Cucumber Plant, Squash Plant, and Tomato Plant; (front row) Strawberry Plant and Cherry Tomato Plant

The blackberry bush has been moved away from the other containers due to its sunlight requires being slightly different than the other plants.

I'm planning to go to Lowe's today to ask their friendly staff what's up with the cucumbers and squash.....I have a feeling I will need to transfer several plants, but at least I will have several plants to feed me!!