Mavis Mail – Bob and Sherle From California Share Their Vegetable Garden Photos

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in their photographs and stories. I hope by sharing other peoples pictures and stories here on One Hundred Dollars a Month we can all have a rock star garden this summer. Keep them coming!

Check out this story and the amazing backyard garden photos Bob and Sherle from California sent in:

Hi Mavis,

I have been gardening most of my life, either with my dad or my husband of 30 years, mostly in small backyard gardens. As a result of not having a whole bunch of space in which to garden we had had to be very innovative so we could get as much as possible out of the space we do have.

Our garden plot is 20×25′ and we have harvested over 1k from it.

We use concrete reinforcing wire to create “cages” for our plants, so everything grows up instead of out. Our tomatoes often grow to over 10′ tall and produce lots and lots of tomatoes.

I usually put up about 100 quart jars of tomatoes every year. We have two connected towers for our green beans and they grow all over it. It’s very nice for picking as well, though green beans seem to be masters at hiding in plain sight. Our cucumbers are planted in “cages”, four plants to a block and they grow all over their cages. My husband or kids need to pick them though as I always break out in hives from them and the squashes.

The zucchini and summer squash grow up round towers and it’s so neat and easy for us to pick the fruits. We even grew cantaloupe in a tower, though we had to support them with little slings while they were getting big. We used nylons to create the hammocks, though they really need something stronger, we just haven’t come up with another solution yet.

We lay newspaper under the plants and in the walkways and then put down straw to hold the newspaper down which effectively blocks the light thus doing away with anything like weeds. The added benefit is that the tomatoes like the color that’s being reflected up from the straw.

We start all of our plants in our little greenhouse. The color tipped toothpicks were painted to match a paint swatch on the seed packet so I knew what was in the pots.

You can see more pictures and read some how to’s in a little book I made through Shutterfly, though this is a digital version at: http://www.gospellearningcenter.com/resources/Garden/Garden.asp

This year we have determined to grow squashes and pumpkins in the front yard. I thought I would be able to plant them in pots, but I learned that pumpkin roots are extensive, so they will be planted in the ground.

I love following your blog and you have inspired me to grow 2k pounds this year.

Holy canolies Bob and Sherle, your garden is GORGEOUS! And those tomatoes are out of sight! I complete confidence that you tow will reach your goal of growing 2,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables in your garden this year.

~Mavis

If you would like to have your garden, chicken coop or something you’ve made featured on One Hundred Dollars a Month, here’s what I’m looking for:

• Your Garden Pictures and Tips – I’d especially like to see your garden set ups, growing areas, and know if you are starting seeds indoors this year. If so,  show me some picture of how you are going about it.
• Your Chicken and Chicken Related Stories – Coops, Chicks, Hen’s, Roosters, Eggs, you name it. If it clucks, send us some pictures to share with the world.
• Cool Arts & Craft made from your very own hands with detailed {and well photographed} pictures and instructions.

If I feature your pictures and the stories behind them on One Hundred Dollars a Month, I will send you a $20.00 gift card to the greatest store in the world: Amazon.com.

Go  HERE for the official rules.