Urban Gardener Cucumber Vine

My husband took out the two tomato plants last week because they were just taking up a lot of space and not producing anything. And when you have a very small patch of available land to plant things, it made sense. On the other hand, the two cucumber vines are taking over the other side of the garden- so much so that the vine is having a showdown with the clematis vine coming at it from the opposite direction. But we will let the cucumber vine have it's way because it is cooperating! For whatever reason, it's not doing as well as in the past. The flowers are abundant, and the bees are constantly hovering. But the produce looks different. I'll be the last one to complain because I love cucumbers and will take them in any shape, form, or length. And, to our amazement, we know they are always hiding out somewhere. Maybe it all has something to do with the extreme heat and weird weather. A lot of our flowers just didn't do well either. In Wisconsin we had a lot of room for all kinds of vegetables and berries, so we are fortunate to have this little space in a very urban environment. Cucmber anyone? 

Cucumber Art

Every year we put in at least one cucumber and two tomato plants in our tiny patio garden. It's a southern exposure so they really are in a great spot. For whatever reason, the tomatoes have not done very well for the last year or three! The cucmber vines used to get caught up in all the other flowers and vegetation. We didn't even notice some of the cucumbers until they were well over grown! So in order to avoid that, we now have a sort of trellis that we use. We take a few of the tomato stakes and then wrap string around them and inside of it all the way up to the top of the fence. Every day we look at it the plants grow another few inches. But what is most interesting are the little tendrils that just seem to find something to hang on to. And when they do, they create the most interesting shapes. Some look like tiny springs and curly Q's, some look like knots, some are just flying in the breeze until something catches it or it catches something. And the crop is already starting to grow. I can't wait! There's nothing better than a fresh cucmber right out of the garden. Thank goodness they are more predictable than tomatoes. I'm sure my husband would prefer it the other way around. In Milwaukee we had a lot more space and a lot more stuff in the garden. But here we do everything on a smaller scale and still get to appreciate, and eat, the end result!

The Giant Cucumber Plant

The leaves are bigger than my hand. The vine is taking over the trellis and the fence. We've had cucumbers in our little patio garden before, but never anything like this. I don't know if it's because of the hot and humid temperatures or the trellis we made for it to grow on. The leaves were never this big when the plant was crawling around on the ground. When we left ten days ago for a short trip out of town the vine was already exceeding expectations. When we returned a few days ago there were already three large cucumbers to be had - and they were simply delicious! By the looks of it we should have a substantial crop this year. The tomato plant has already taken over the other side of the garden but there is only one small tomato to be seen. Regardless of the outcome the process is entertaining. Even in Milwaukee we never had such excitement in the garden. It doesn't take much to keep us entertained. 

Our Capitol Hill Flower and Vegetable Patch

We had an acre of land in Milwaukee with enough space for several gardens. We are fortunate to have a great little place in our Capitol Hill condo for a miniature flower and vegetable patch. It is a very unique set up to say the least. It affords us the same delight to be able to sit outside, have a sip of wine, watch the birds fly in, relax, and watch the flowers and vegetables grow. The garden has transitioned over the years. We added a patch of grass along the building and vines on the fence. We now have a spot for two cucumber plants and one tomato plant. The cucumbers already seem to be doing well. The tomato plant - my husband's favorite - doesn't like the intense heat of late. It flowers, but then shrivels to nothing. We may need to get some plant food, and tend to it as best as possible. Regardless, it is a joy to have it even if nothing comes to fruition. But there is nothing like a fresh vegetable straight out of any garden - especially in such an unexpected place. 

American Plant - the Cucumbers and Tomato Plants Are In!

Who doesn't love flowers? My husband would ask "who doesn't love tomatoes?" Having been away for a week on a trip to Florida made a huge difference in our tiny patio garden. The yellow flower vine is attracting huge bumble bees, and it is the vegetable planting season. We always leave enough space for one tomato plant and this year I'm squeezing in a cucumber. In Milwaukee, we had to wait at least until Memorial Day to even think about planting anything. I was beginning to think we would need to do the same here given the cold temps lately. But today was brilliantly sunny, and we took a ride to American Plant to pick up a couple things for the garden pots and the small planting garden, but the real reason was to get those vegetables. The daffodils and tulip leaves are still cluttering up the tiny space, but I stuck some cosmos in between them. The clematis vine is already taking over the place so that was cut way back - enough to fill a garbage bag. The southern exposure is a bonus - aside from the fact that we even have a patch of land to plant anything. And now the wait begins. Every day my husband will check on that tomato plant and I will check on the cucumber. It's sort of a ritual every year, and a very tasty one.