Saturday, June 19, 2010

The flowers, herbs, and vegetables are taking over the patio

The back patio which faces west is filled with herbs, vegetables and flowers. Cutting of parsley has begun and it has such a great flavor freshly cut from the patio. Cooking with fresh herbs add a certain glamour to any meal.




Other herbs we are growing are dill, sage, basil, oregano, parsley and cilantro. The smells of herbs will overpower the patio soon as well as the smell of vegetables and flowers. It will be a scent of mixed spring and summer.






Favorite flowers are geraniums, pansys and sweet peas. The geraniums are easy to grow and will blossom all season long. Sweet pea vines grow up the side of the patio and the pansys will drape over the hanging baskets.















The tomatoes leaves already are giving off a strong tomato scent that can not be mistaken. The taste of fresh salsa and vine rippened tomatoes make me hungry.


Vegetables include peppers, cucumbers and squash. The cucumbers and squash will soon be taking over the patio with vines spreading. The vines of the cucumbers and squash will grow up over the patio.





Growing fruit in containers is possible as well. Grapes and blueberrys grow well in containers providing some fun picking.


It has been a wet spring with lots of rain as well as some great sun. The plants love fresh rain and with the sun soon to be seen daily the plants are sure to grow at a great rate.

Living in southern Montana, the growing season is very short. Still in June the nights can get chilly, down to 34 degrees with snow still on the mountain tops.



Container gardening is perfect for this type of short growing season. The dirt warms up quickly in containers. Growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs is healthy as well as money caving and just fun. Hoping to taste tomatoes in 30 days. Keep you up to date.