Bay Laurel

I started with a 3" starter plant, Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) from Al's Garden Center. Bay Laurel is an evergreen shrub or small tree often grown as a tender perennial. It has aromatic foliage, cream flowers and dark berries. Bay Laurel leaves are used fresh or dried in soups, stews, meat dishes and French cooking. I planted my Bay Laurel into a small terra-cotta pot with the intent of transplanting at a later date. (right) This is my larger Bay Laurel, I have two, in June 2009. It is just starting to show the first signs of new growth since last summer.

Growing Tips: Bay Laurel prefers full sun to partial sun and requires well drained soil. Grows up to 5 feet tall in pot culture and grows best in containers.

Harvesting: Bay Laurel leaves can be harvested directly from the plant as needed or for drying.

Perennial Tips: Move indoors during winter in zones 7 or colder and place in a well lighted area or window.

My Garden: June 2009

Above is a photo of my herb and vegetable garden on June 25, 2009 in the early evening.

Organic Jalapeno Pepper

I started with a 6" starter plant, USDA Organic Jalapeno Pepper locally grown from Smith Gardens. I planted my Jalapeno Pepper in a large plastic container in full sun next to all my other pepper plants. (right) My Jalapeno Plant from last year (2008). I grew it directly in my garden bed and it grew great, I had more fruit than I knew what to do with from the single plant.

Growing Tips: Jalapenos prefer full sun and lots of water. Space the plants 24" apart with about 2 - 3 feet between rows. Plants grow to about 3 feet tall. You can also mix in mushroom compost to make the soil fertile and moist. Fertilize monthly.

Harvesting: Jalapenos mature in 120 days. Pick when fruit is dark green and full size.

Sunlight Marquerite Daisy

I started with two 4" starter plants, 'Sunlight' Marquerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens), premium Annual's from Al's Garden Center. I planted each plant in its own medium sized terra-cotta pot in full sun. These plants produce delicate daisylike yellow flowers with fine foliage all summer and will attract butterflies to the garden. (right) One of my Marquerite Daisies in bloom in late June.

Growing Tips: Marquerite Daisies prefer full sun or part sun and will grow to 24" - 36" tall. In the ground, water 2-3 times weekly until established. In containers or baskets, water daily or as needed.

Pequin Pepper

I started with a 3' plant, Pequin Pepper from Al's Garden Center. Pequin Peppers are bright red (but can be picked when they are still green) and about 8 times hotter than a Jalapeno Pepper. They tend to look like outdoor christmas lights when they are ripe due to their size and color. I planted my Pequin Pepper into a large plastic container in full sun next to all my other pepper plants in the garden. (right) My Pequin Pepper plant right after transplant on June 25, 2009. (bottom right) My first Pequin Pepper that is ripening on August 21, 2009.

Growing Tips: Pequin Peppers grow naturally in the wild in Texas and prefer full sun and hot weather.

Harvesting: Pequin Peppers can be harvested when the peppers are bright red or still green. Harvested peppers can be stored in freezer bags in the freezer for 6 - 12 months without loosing much of their heat or flavor.

Red Sails Lettuce

I started with six 4" starter plants of Red Sails Lettuce from Al's Garden Center. I planted them directly into the garden 6" apart in two rows 6" apart in full sun. Red Sails lettuce is a loose-leaf lettuce with bronze-red, crinkled leaves. (right) My lettuce on June 25th, 2009, it is about 6" now.

Growing Tips: Red Sails Lettuce prefers full sun in Spring and Fall, part sun in Summer. Plant 8" apart.

Harvesting: Red Sails Lettuce matures in 45 days, cut off at base.

Safari Yellow Marigold

I started with multiple 4" starter plants of Safari Yellow Marigolds from Tanasacres Nursery. Marigolds naturally repel many garden pests so I planted them all around my vegetable, herb and flower garden. Marigolds bloom all summer and are very aromatic which make them a wonderful splash of color for any garden. (right) My Safari Yellow Marigolds mixed with an orange marigold plant in a single pot.

Growing Tips: Marigolds prefer full sun and planted 4" - 12" apart (the tags will typically suggest a 12" distance between plants but they will grow much closer together and fill in very nicely). Can grow up to 12" tall. Pinch off heads of old flowers to promote new growth.

Darla Light Pink Diascia

I started with a 6" plant of Darla Light Pink Diascia from Al's Garden Center. It is a premium annual and a Diascia hybrid (P.P.A.F. Dalla Litpink). I planted it in full sun in a medium sized terra-cotta pot. (right) My flowering plant a few days after transplant.

Growing Tips: Darla Diascia prefers full sun and water 2-3 times per week until established. It will grow 15" - 18" tall and should be grown as an annual.

Roma Tomato

I started with a 4" starter plant, La Roma Tomato from Tanasacres Nursery. I planted my roma directly into the garden in full sun with a trellis to climb. Roma's are one of the best Italian -type tomatoes known for its outstanding vigor and heavy yields. (right top) My Roma Tomatoe on June 22, 2009, it is about 3' feet tall and is starting to flower. (right bottom) My Roma Tomato plant on August 22, 2009, new fruit. I have already harvested around 20 tomatoes from this plant. The tomatoes are very sweet and plump.

Growing Tips: Roma Tomatoes prefer full sun and consistent soil moisture. Water regularly throughout summer. Starting in August, water every other day. Space plants 24" - 36" apart in rows 36" - 48" apart.

Harvesting: Roma Tomatoes mature in 62 days, pick when fruit is bright red and firm.

Brandywine Heirloom Tomato

I started with a 4" starter plant, Brandywine Heirloom Tomato from Al's Garden Center. This specific variety is a 1885 heirloom Amish with large rose-pink fruit. I planted my Brandywine directly into the garden with a trellis to climb in full sun. (right) My Brandywine on August 21, 2009. Fruit is starting to grow quite large, around 5 - 6 inches in size. This is one of the larger tomatoes that has yet to ripen.

Growing Tips: Brandywine Tomatoes prefer full sun, plant 24" - 36" apart in rows 36" - 48" apart. Water regularly throughout summer. In August, water every other day to promote fruit growth.

Harvesting: Brandywine Tomatoes mature in 90 -100 days, pick when fruit is rose-pink and firm.