I’m always talking about my garden and all the different vegetables I grow, but until now, I’ve never actually shown you. This is my first ever virtual garden tour, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it.
In years past, I’ve never planted early enough to have an abundant spring garden like I do now. This year I was adamant about sowing seeds and planting cool weather crops in March and early April so I could harvest and replace them with warm weather crops, like tomatoes, come May. Since we’ve been having such a cool spring, I’m taking my time to harvest all the radishes, broccoli and greens, and will wait a little longer to get my tomatoes, peppers and eggplants in the ground.
I’m by no means a gardening expert, but I’ve come a long way in the 8 years I’ve been doing it. I’m happy to pass on my knowledge and lessons learned in order to help you become a better gardener. Or, better yet, to encourage you to start growing something in the first place. There’s nothing like harvesting fresh produce from your back yard, even if it’s just a handful of basil.
I hope this videos sparks a conversation about growing methods, different varieties of crops, successes and failures, in order for us all to grow bigger, brighter green thumbs.
I’ll be updating with a new video in a few weeks to show my progress. Let me know what you think! Happy planting.
xo, Coley
Nicole Gaffney, aka Coley, is a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, tv host and food writer.
Thanks for the tour, Coley! My heart skipped a beat when you pulled up all those French breakfast radishes. And your broccoli and strawberries and those gorgeous garlic plants! Heaven. My garden is near the end. I might get one more handful of sun golds over the next week, which are the best tomatoes ever and I think of you every time I pick them. Cool potato operation you’ve got there. I’m trying that next year.
I like neem, too. I also spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), safe & organic, and takes care of the chewers on the big greens.
I’d love to see a recipe for your quick everyday garden salad. Enjoy all that good food!
It’s so funny how our gardens are on opposite timeframes. We’re just getting started, here! I’ll have to send you more tomatoes this year when they’re in their prime. Last year we had a rough go, but I’m confident this year is going to be my best one yet. I learned a ton, plus I won’t be preparing to run off to Europe during the peak of the season. Never heard of BT but I will totally look into it! Last year I got clobbered by cabbage worms and white flies. Gross.
Lets see… My garden salad changes a bit depending on, well, what’s growing! Lately it’s been TONS of arugula and some young kale and kale flowers. I like to mince up a shallot with lemon juice, s+p and olive oil, toss it with the greens and use a vegetable peeler to shave in some pecorino romano. So simple, but so good!
You have a beautiful garden!! God bless! Wish I was still living there so I could come visit and go to the farmers market with you. Happy Spring!
Thanks, Holly! I’m sure you’ll be back to visit sometime this summer. I hope to see you around! You’re welcome to come by my garden and steal some tomatoes anytime 😉