Watch My Food Grow ~ A South Florida Raised Vegetable Garden

Florida Backyard Raised Vegetable Garden

Green Stuff… the Good Kind

March 8th, 2013 by Lila Steinhoff
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Just Beginning

When I left town three weeks ago, the vegetables planted in early February were pretty sparse.

early growthMonth-old Plants

The plants started with seed were anywhere from green fuzz to about about two inches high. The peppers and tomatoes were purchased in pots, but they were relatively small, too.

Lots of Green Stuff

During the past three weeks, the garden has taken off. I finally feel like there are veggies on the horizon.

green beansGreen Beans

The peppers and tomatoes are blooming and the beans and okra have taken off, as well.

Shared Space

Some plants are planted around other plants in the same space. Fast -growing lettuces will be used before the larger plants need the space.

lettuce and garlicLettuce and Garlic

I planted various kinds of lettuce around scallions and garlic, and it is coming up everywhere. The lettuce will be pulled up and used before the larger plants need the space. Radishes are around the  peppers. They will be ready to harvest in three weeks.

Herbs Are Still Tiny

The herbs were planted toward the end of February and have just begun to come up. The ground looks like it is covered with green fuzz.

herbsHerbs

Some, like chives, take as long as 21 days to sprout.

Look at It Now

garden boxesGarden Boxes

I’m beginning to get excited about the good things to come.

 

 

 

 

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2013 Lake Worth Street Painting Festival

February 25th, 2013 by Lila Steinhoff
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Great Expectations

I’m not in the garden today, but I am still in the sun and fresh air.

I have enjoyed the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival for many years… as a business sponsor and as an appreciator of the event. My sister, Marty Riley,  has participated as my company’s artist in previous years.

Marty 2009Marty Riley 2009

Watching the artists work and sampling the food and drink available from street vendors and the restaurants in Lake Worth is a delightful way to spend a weekend.

And as a bonus,  it is just as much fun to watch the people and pets as it is to watch the artists work.

dog

Lake Worth Street Painting Festival 2013

Lake Worth Street Painting Festival Artists 2013

There was sun and a breeze Saturday and Sunday mornings. Quite a few chalk paintings were finished Saturday.

artistArtists 2013

artistArtist 2013artist

 Rain… Lots of It

Chalk drawings and water do not mix, and Saturday night the rains came. When my sister participated as an artist in previous years, we would cover her work each  night even when rain was not predicted.

waterlogged artworkWater Under Protective Cover

Many artists covered their work Saturday night, but with so much rain and wind, the plastic didn’t offer much protection. Many others did not cover their work and lost everything.

Water-Damaged Artwork

The rain was forced under the covers and puddled on the artwork. Many artists did not return Sunday to complete their projects.

rain-damaged artworkWater-damaged Artwork

For many artists, there was  little, if anything, left of Saturday’s work. It was very disheartening.

artist's rain remarkArtist’s Rain Remark

One artist expressed, what may have been the feeling of a lot of participants – artists and attendees alike. She found her work washed away on Sunday morning and left her remark in the space instead.

Lots to See

Still, even with the difficulty the rain was for the artists, there was so much to see and enjoy. There are pictures of many artists and their work in the gallery.

Click on any picture to make it larger, then click on the right or left side of the image to move through the gallery.

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Birthday Garden Box

February 22nd, 2013 by Lila Steinhoff
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Birthday Surprise

Last Sunday, I turned 65, and my family and several friends showed up to celebrate. My sons, Matt and Adam, surprised me with a different style of raised garden box. I now have three boxes.

DSC_5950-cAdam and Lila Steinhoff

Putting It All Together

Matt was the idea man, and Adam and his wife’s stepdad, Doug, (with a little help from Grandson, Graham) provided the labor.

DSC_6053Assembling Raised Garden Box

The box was delivered, mostly complete, on a trailer. After the box was placed in the yard, the bottom was set, and it was lined a with weed barrier to contain the soil.

The Very Best Part

The best part of the day was when tempura paint was produced, and children, grandchildren and friends decorated the box to remember  the occasion… including two-week-old Elliot.

DSC_6015Adam, Carly and Elliot Steinhoff

Memorable Birthday

Some birthdays are more memorable than others. This one was a milestone for me as I reached 65 years. Even better, though,  is the joy I will have every time I see this garden box and remember this birthday.

Gallery

Enjoy the birthday pictures… maybe not the cake and candles you’d expect, but total happiness, nonetheless.

Click on any picture to make it larger, then click on the right or left side of the image to move through the gallery.

 

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