Flowers are food for the soul.

But tomatoes...well, that's a whole 'nother story. I love tomatoes. I love them a LOT. I can stand in the middle of the garden in summer with a knife and a salt shaker and forget about all my worries and the troubles in the world. In fact, the knife and salt shaker are optional.

So today, I got my veggie garden ready, or the potager as it's labeled on the map. Tomorrow I will sow the corn, beans, and plant out some of the seedlings I started a few weeks ago. The cucumbers and squash have just gotten their first leaves, so it will be a bit longer for them. The eggplant hasn't done squat.



I may just buy a single plant when I pick up my cayenne pepper plant this week. I'll direct sow the okra soon, but not just yet. I don't know why I'm waiting, it just feels right.

I also have nasturtium and marigolds to plant out in the potager. Some cosmos, zinnias, and marigolds have already been direct sown in one area. I might sow the rest of the marigold seeds in amongst the tomatoes. Sunflowers will also get planted out soon.



I'll make a list of what gets sown tomorrow. Already in the garden I have some snow peas that have sprouted, a few cabbage plants, some lettuce, a few handfuls of carrots, and some strawberries I bought last year. I moved them into a better spot this past week. But today, oh glorious day, I planted out my tomatoes.



I hate these little cages, but to do what I know I should have done would have cost half a week's salary. I'll get some stakes and drive into the ground to wire these things to over the next couple of weeks.



That big pile of leaf mulch was spread over two areas and tilled into the existing soil. I mulched with wheat straw and will plant directly into these beds rather than starting the seed in cups. Beans, corn (for a trellis), squash, cucumbers, okra, etc will go here.





One thing I hate about my yard is also one of the best things. It slopes downhill but towards the south. So while I can plant tall plants in the front of the garden if I'd like, I have to deal with lots of drainage issues. The soil holds very little moisture. Hopefully, mulching twice this summer with wheat straw will help. Plus, it's the Ruth Stout Method.



I still have my cherry tomatoes to set out. I started a lot more than I need. I think I'll try to give the rest of these away at work. I don't need 30+ cherry tomato plants. One of each variety is plenty. They'll be planted here and there in the flower beds. Only the sweet 100s and Black Cherry varieties will go in the tomato plot.



It's 55 degrees and drizzling rain. Storms may be moving in later.