The Bemilie Blog

I have to say that two months ago I thought Portland’s growing season would never arrive. Now that it’s here, I’m practically beside myself with glee. I have spent just about every weekend outside either planting or pulling weeds or just admiring my plants’ progress. In fact, I’m so proud of my vegetable babies that I’ve been taking progress pictures of my snow peas (which have been growing something like an inch a day)

Oregon Snow Peas Day 1

Oregon Snow Peas, 2 weeks later

and the planter with the rest of the plants in it. Yesterday morning when I let Cleo out in the back yard I couldn’t help but to wander over to my Oregon Snow Peas and check on their progress, and my heart skipped a beat when I discovered blossoms sprouting from the plant. It feels like I have been waiting forever to see some sign of progress other than physical growth. It’s only been two months, but it can seem like forever when you’re waiting for something good to happen.

Ben has been teasing me lately because every time I go to the nursery, whether it be for plant stands or fertilizer, I always manage to come home with new plants to add to our garden. Two weeks ago, it was more oregano and a lemon verbena plant, and last week it was strawberries. Ben has jokingly placed a ban on me going to the nursery without him.

Strawberry plants in the back pot, sage and oregano in the terra cotta pot.

Last night I proudly plucked a few leaves from our sweet basil and Greek oregano plants to put in olive oil with pasta. I could have used the dried spices in the cabinet next to the stove, but why bother when I’ve got fresh herbs 10ft away? I swear, nothing made me prouder than ripping those leaves up in to the oil. Part of me almost wishes I had taken a picture of it to savor the moment in the future. I can’t imagine what I’ll feel like when we have tomatoes and zucchini coming out of our ears.

Here’s the most recent picture of our raised bed.

Raised garden bed 5-30-09