GROWING UP~ VERTICAL GARDENING

 I don't know about you, but I think there's something absolutley magical about watching plants clamor up arbors, fence posts, trellises, garden teepees and even other plants! 

No matter the size of your plot, vertical gardening benefits both gardener and plants.

There are too many flowering vines and climbing roses to mention in one little ole garden post so I'm just going to show off a few plants that are " growing up" in my garden this summer.  I purchased sevaral bamboo teepees a few years back and they're holding up pretty well!

"I spray painted them black for a little garden drama... I like how the bright green of the leaves contrasts against the darkness of the black paint."

 I have one 4x8 bed filled with three types of  climbing beans. Scarlet Runners, Royal Burgundy and Roma 11.

 

Plus, I planted a long row of Edamame in front of the trellises. I'm hoping to make some homemade hummus using my harvested Edamame beans!

Slicing cucumbers also love to climb and will take up much less room in your garden beds if you give something reach for the sky on! I planted one slicing cuke plant right in the middle of my summer squash and eggplant this year and so far we've harvest two very large cukes with many more on the vine!

I love this little baby cucumber just beginning to form on the vine. 

Watching a garden " grow up " is such an inspiring thing to do!

Even these volunteer morning glories are happy winding their way through the openings in my chicken run fence.

 Happy plants make a happy and healthy garden and gardener!

Don't you agree? 

What's  " growing up" in your garden this summer? 

I'd love to hear about them and any tips too!

Love,

The Dandelion Lady!

SPRING RUSH on the OLE HOMESTEAD

Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels the rush of spring on my heels. It's as if all that energy for a new season of growing is pushing through the surface of the earth and seeping into the soles of my feet! There's so much to do!!!The best thing to do is to give in and dig in! I've started planting the dahlia tubers now that the weather is more steadily warm. I've purchased a few new dinner plate varieties to replace the tubers that didn't survive their stay in my basement over the winter... Many of them became moldy and simply dried up. I guess if you lived in a basement that would happen to you too!

Here's one that made it! See the little eyes? Those are new stems forming! I learned last year that even if you plant your tubers upside down ( stock facing down ) the new shoots will eventually find their way to the surface! It'll be about 8 weeks until we have dahlia blooms but it's worth the wait!

I ordered my seeds from Renee's Garden Seeds this year ( no GMO's ) because of the amazing variety. I'm going to attempt Sweet Peas this year. Love the vibrant shades of these red and purple blooms above.
Sweet Pea's are climbers so I've gussied up some bamboo tee pees with black spray paint to create a little drama in the garden this summer!

I'm going overboard with Zinnias

and morning glories too!

And, I uncovered some old shutters I picked at a yard sale several years back that I think will be a great addition on the little red hen house! What do you think? Yay or Nay?

Here's wishing you the best of SPRING RUSH on your ole homestead too!

What are you trying in your garden for the first time this year? What are your favorite tried and true flowers that you can't live without?

This obsessed flowergirl wants to know!

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