Backyard Agrarian

Well, the winter was spent experimenting with edible plants filling each south, east and west facing window.   I had amazing success with a huge tomato plant potted in a 5 gallon pot.  It was a prolific flowerer but alas, never fruited.  Indoor tomatoes need to be pollinated either by setting up a fan or shaking frequently.  Several plants will help the situation too.  I ignored these rules and just enjoyed the incredible summer smell throughout  January, February and March. I placed the tomato at the tops of the steps in a huge eastern window which allowed me to touch the fragrant leaves every time i walked by.


I am still enjoying smaller pots filled with lettuce, basil, parsley, and thyme. These all do fine in fairly small pots.  Just make sure to keep them watered adequately, although, thyme does not mind dryer conditions.  Lettuce can be planted very thickly and you'll love picking off leaves throughout the late winter.  


Combine your window gardens delights for fresh tasting sandwiches.   Add a touch of fresh herbs to any dish and winter won't seem so dismal. 

Tomatoes had ripened during the last couple of weeks.  We had been eating them right off the vine.  

Things can change fast in a high altitude garden.  

An edible herb garden is combined with flowers (yarrow and marigolds).  The herbs become ornamental after they flower in mid season.  The flowers smell delicious and attract all kinds of pollinators.

Yarrow, Marigolds, Oregano, Chives, Mint

Yarrow comes in many colors: red, purple, white, yellow.  It has a long lasting bloom, can survive in low water conditions (although produces more flowers with more water), and makes a great cut or dried flower!

This wildflower garden was planted using a Rocky Mountain Wildflower mixture.  The seeds seem to have germinated incredibly well!  Although, the space is too small for such a diverse mixture.  For a more organized look, I would plant seeds or starts individually.  

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These bunny tails are in a wooden window box outside the bathroom window.  Bunny tails are super soft and add a luscious tactile element to the garden.  Plant these annuals somewhere that you walk by frequently so you'll have an opportunity to touch them often.  It's also fun to see the bunny tails poking in through the open window.  Because they are soft, durable, and adorable these are great for kid friendly spaces. 

It was too early but I just couldn't resist finding out what was going on under that ground.  The 3 potatoes that popped out as I pulled on the stalk are small but they smell sweet and delicious and tingled in my hand as I held them.  Hmm... perhaps 3 small potatoes and fresh broccoli from my CSA for dinner?

Potato Tops:  You can see the withered flower that bloomed a couple of weeks ago. 

This was my first season growing chamomile.  I had one cup of tea before it dried out, unharvested.  That soft yellow chamomile just a few weeks ago has given way to fall.  Next year I'll know to harvest sooner!  

I had almost given up on them but the peas have finally become plump and ready for harvest.  it took just about 3 months from sowing outside.  Look at these beauties!

Apparently someone else thought the peas looked scrumptious.  This one has a few nibbles.

Look at this beautiful beet poking through the ground!  The tops (greens) are still fairly small and very succulent, yet the beets are fully developed.  I'll let some grow for a few more weeks to gain more size.