Last year the garden was planted and then ignored. Cancer happens and every thing else goes on a back burner.

This year we are trying a different method of gardening. We decided to put down garden fabric to control the weeds.  We have a ton of lovely compost and thought it was time to use it.

Michael suggested we buy our starts instead of starting our own. I liked the idea so I went to the local nursery and bought starts. I decided to only plant stuff for salsa. For the first time since my dear friend gave me her salsa recipe, we are out of salsa. My family depends on that salsa. Here is what our garden looks like this year. Love the look of that dark compost.

We put compost in our three raised beds as well.

I love rhubarb and actually ordered three new plants. For some reason, it is difficult to keep alive. I’m bound and determined to do it! I put fiberglass poles where the three plants are in hopes that people pay attention to them.

Our berries are continuing to put out lovely Marion berries. We were going to add more this year but January  came and went and we didn’t purchase any. Next year we will.

Can you see the garter snake? He is pretty much in our garden daily.

Do you see his head?

Of course, when you get to a nursery you end up buying more starts.

I bought two artichoke plants. We had them last year but failed to do what we needed to do to help them make it through the winter. We also bought pole beans, cantaloupe, zucchini, broccoli, and surprise the nursery had our favorite cucumber. Suyo Long.  It is nice buying starts but you definitely don’t find the unique things seed companies sell.