The greenhouse has changed quite a bit over the past few weeks.
The first photo shows what it looked like when I finally decided it was time to tackle it. There were boxes, bags, old cardboard, and all sorts of things that had accumulated over time.
After a good clean-up (apart from washing the greenhouse walls), the space finally looked ready for the growing season. The second photo shows the tomato plants freshly settled into their new home. At that stage, they looked small and a little vulnerable, and I found myself wondering how well they would adapt.
Down the middle of the greenhouse, I laid cardboard to help suppress weeds. Rather than clearing everything, though, I left the self-seeded lettuce and dill to grow where they had chosen to appear. It seemed a shame to remove plants that were already happily making themselves at home.
Now, looking at them today (on the right), I feel quite pleased with their progress. The tomatoes have grown enough that they need tying up, and they look strong, healthy, and determined to take over the greenhouse.
And few of them are starting to bloom.
It’s always satisfying to see the difference a few weeks can make.
How are your gardens growing this year?
Ilze
Discover more from a day in the life of a latvian mom
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Ilze – you wrote about tackling the greenhouse and planting the tomatoes but a short time ago – well, in a harsh climate like Latvia and beginning early – look what you have already achieved – a greenhouse is just somewhat warmer! Your family will obviously enjoy quite a harvest in the months to come – the plants smile and so will you 🙂
Thank you! I hope we’ll have plenty of tomatoes to enjoy this year. Growing them in a greenhouse means regular watering, rain or shine, and keeping an eye on the suckers before they get out of hand.
Of course, there’s always the risk that summer will be cool and damp. In those conditions, blight and other fungal diseases can spread quickly, even in a greenhouse. I’m hoping for a warm, sunny season instead. For now, all I can do is keep watering, pruning, and checking on them regularly—and hope the tomatoes appreciate the effort!
There is a lovely ‘joke’ hereabouts > sing to them or play music and they will reciprocate 🙂 ?
🙂 Līgo and Jāņi (midsummer festival) is coming – so we will sing 🙂
I know 🙂 ! Estonians light bonfires and dance around those and drink too much beer . . . and always sing . . . Jaanipaev!
🙂 There was one problem though — drink-driving. There are regular police patrols on the roads and frequent awareness campaigns, yet it still happens. I find it hard to understand why anyone would drink and then get behind the wheel.
Then again, six years ago a truck driver crashed into my car while transporting bread to Estonia. He was later found to have a blood alcohol level of 2.4‰. Experiences like that make it very real and remind me why the police take the issue so seriously.
Oh Ilze – I DO agree – was ‘funning’ in what I wrote! We have hugely strict laws here (o.5% + and you are in trouble!) – these days it is the drugs as well, both legal and the many illegal + the vapes! We have a Long Weekend coming up and max numbers of police are on the roads already and many will lose their licenses on the spot!
Better license not life! But yes, the same strict rules here! If you are new – less then 2 years of licence 0% if older 0,5% 🙂 I don’t drink… and I don’t drive.. so……. I can drive – I have license 🙂
Your greenhouse looks very efficient! I love seeing the progress through the different photos. Everything is thriving, it seems 🙂
Thank you. I hope it will stay on this thriving wave 🙂 Do you have greenhouse?
It looks great, Ilze!
Thank you, Jean!
I’ve been picking tomatoes for months now and am about tired of them! Turning a bunch into sauce and freezing now, and of course giving a bunch away.