A Gardening Journey

The Beginning

A garden shed with a white rocking chair and some plants

My gardens actually started in 2017 when Steve (my hubby) built 2 raised garden beds for me. In addition, I planted potatoes and tomatoes in grow bags. This first year, I planted what I thought I would like to grow. And, wow, everything I planted grew in abundance. I gave extras away and learned quickly how to preserve the harvest. Cooking in the house was not going to work, as the house just got too hot. So, off to Cabela's in Green Bay to purchase a 2-burner Camp Chef Explorer Stove which runs off a propane tank. I set up canning in the backyard on the patio. Loved it. When the weather was not good, I moved into the garage and worked there. It only took two batches of herbs that needed to be dried for me to realize my little Harvester Drier would not keep up with the demand. So, back up to Cabela's to pick up a Commercial-Grade Food Dehydrator with 12 beautifully big shelves. Now, I could keep up with drying herbs, onions, tomatoes, celery, and such. It was a year of learning.

In 2018, I convinced Steve to build a 3rd raised bed. This one was lower to the ground as I wanted to put all the grow bags in this bed. I did not want anything on the ground. All my plants were in raised beds, pots for grow bags. My herb and some tomato plants were scattered all over the deck, patio, and in a wire planter tier that I had found at an antique store. . I had over 200 plants in the back yard garden, scattered in flower beds, on the deck and patio and even in the front yard. During this summer, I spent almost every Saturday at a farmer's market, talking with the vendors and learning about herbs, mushrooms, and things like garlic. I bought multiple types of mushrooms (I did not eat mushrooms), brought them home, and tried them. Found out mushrooms really do taste good. I learned how to dry them and package them for the winter. Friends taught me about squash, and I learned how to can and dry it. Both are easy and really do taste good. Herbs were going crazy, and I was giving some away. I dabbled in making essential oils. Lavender and lemongrass were 2 of the oils that my family and friends really appreciated.

During this crazy time, I noted that Steve (does most of the cooking) did not use any of the herbs that I dried. Came to find out he did not know how to use some of them. Through research on the internet, reading books and talking with cooks, I was able to find many herbal seasoning blend recipes as well as "copycat" recipes. I began to experiment with mixing my herbs. I shared them with family and friends, asking only for feedback. The recipes were adjusted according to feedback.

So why gardening? When we moved into this house (Appleton, WI), I worked only part-time as an RN. I spent my days off outside tending to my flower gardens and the pond that Bob (my son) put in the backyard. I had planted 80 Mums plants and actually had a Garden Spider in one of the flower beds in the front yard. She was beautiful, and her web was unique. She brought me good luck. Over time, my career changed, and I was working more than I was at home. My flower beds suffered. I had two knee replacements, my mom passed, and I spent 16 months working at ridding my body of breast cancer. My beds were pretty much gone, and my health suffered. So, after completing treatment for breast cancer, I decided it was time to get back to living, to my roots, and returned to gardening. My world came alive again!

Today

Fast forward to 2020—the year ittybittyhomestead was built. The gardens didn’t start until 2022 due to the need to let the ground settle, lay the lawn, and plant 17 trees.

The ittybittyhomestead sits on approximately 1.5 acres of land. The previous owner grew and sold pine trees, so our land came with many pine trees. The house and the “BOB” (big ole building – toy shed) occupy a large portion of the land, but the garden, which is about 500 square feet, sits on prime real estate and consists of raised beds and pots.

During the build, we quickly found out the property was sitting on a stone ledge. The number and size of rocks that were pulled from the ground allowed for us to build a stone wall that defines where the garden ends. What a blessing!

After moving in, Steve and I decided that we really needed the lot abutting our east lot line. So we purchased the “East 40” (another acre and a half). The East 40 is home to a multitude of pine trees and huge round boulders. We are gradually developing this piece for property to house wild flowers, berry bushes and to act as a nursery for plants that need to be nursed to health.

We are finally home.

A garden with several different plants and trees.

Raised beds and pots are my gardening style of choice.

Raised beds and pots significantly decrease the amount of time needed for weeding.

Raised beds and pots save your back and knees.

Raised beds and pots keep herbs from proliferating throughout your garden.

The foot print of the garden does not dictate quality or quantity of produce.

My garden at Itty Bitty occupies about 500 square feet, and pots are scattered throughout flower beds or by entrances in the backyard. It successfully housed over 100 plants – herbs, vegetables, pollinators and companion plants.

3 raised beds – 2 with two levels that are 4x4 and one that is 40 inches x40 inches.

5 raised beds – Stein Garden and Gifts

62 pots of varying sizes.

When you can no longer spread out – spread up! One hanging planter stand that hold 4 baskets and a triple level wire garden rack that holds 20 – 24 pots. Pots placed on top of the rock wall.

Hedging for success.

Soil – garden soil, blood meal, chicken manure, bone meal, and peat moss – all organic.

Ensure good drainage in pots – empty bottles at the bottom and all pots are up on feet.

Place plants where they are happiest- this required some experimenting.
Incorporate pollinators – geraniums and petunias and 3 ornamental onion plants

Create shade where there is none -umbrellas attached to 3 raised beds to help shade the plants from scorching sun.

To reduce/eliminate end blossom rot on tomatoes – placed 2 Tums tabs under each plant

Think organic and only use organically certified products.

Learn from others. Talk to other gardeners, read books and blogs. And then share what you learn.

Make it yours

Garden statues – Olivia is so serene; Anna is playful, and the gnomes are just fun.

Bird feeders, nesting balls, hidden surprises.

Add chairs so you can sit and watch the world go by.

Celebrate the animals - Mama Rabbit blessed me with 8 baby bunnies. They were fun to watch, and they got used to me and did not run when I came into the garden. My boxer has absolutely no prey drive – so the babies were quite safe.

Break the rules- if the home owners association does not allow chickens – get chickens.