The other night, after taking the dog out for a walk, I stayed out on our deck for a few minutes thinking about my summer plans. Last summer, we moved 400km to our new home in Regina and didn’t really feel settled until the kids were back in school in the fall. We moved our patio furniture outside onto our new deck, and I bought some plants in early July to try and make our yard feel more like home. I remember sending my sister a photo of our house from the front and even she noticed that I had already put out some plants. “Of course, I said!” Nothing makes a yard feel more inviting than some beautiful flowers, don’t you think?
This year, our first full year in our new house, I want to really make this yard my own. Imagine my delight when I was contacted and asked if I’d like to be a part of Scotts Gro Crew along with four other bloggers in Canada! What a perfect union! I can get my grow-on with Scotts products and share the adventure along the way with readers!
These photos are rather embarrassing but I’ll preface them by saying it’s April in Saskatchewan so everything is brown, dry, and sad looking. But, this is a great place to start and share my plans for this year!
This is it, guys. This is the extent of my garden area, a 6×6 square container garden that I have absolutely no idea how to utilize. Last summer when we moved in, we put up the little wire fence to keep the dog out, but left it as I felt it was too late in the season to plant in July. I’ve been watching the sun to determine how many hours of sunlight the area gets, and it get sunlight from about 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM so the hot midday sun, just not a lot of it through the rest of the day. I couldn’t figure out why the previous owners picked this spot to grow anything! I need your help, readers! I’ll get off on the right foot (er…thumb?) with Scotts Miracle-Gro Garden Soil which will help prepare the soil and give it optimum nutrients for what I want to grow, but beyond that, what should I grow?
Yes, that’s brown grass but if last year holds any promise, we should have a lush, thick green lawn by July! I loved how full the grass was in the yard and hope to maintain it in the years to come, so Scotts Turf Builder is a great product to start our spring off right.. The rest? Needs help. We put up solar lights last year and that was the extent of landscaping that we added to the yard. I picture hanging baskets along the back fence (off the fence).
This is the side of our yard (the same on both sides). It looks like some landscaping was attempted and honestly it’s not a bad job – but the wood chips need filling in and it certainly needs some color. I picked Scotts Nature Scapes Colour Enhanced Mulch in Sierra Red to give our yard a punch of colour this summer! I can’t wait to add that into my landscape. Aside from filling in the mulch more, I picture planters overflowing with flowers here, perhaps two or three on each side of the yard.
Living in a newer development means no trees but it also means no leaves to rake or spring pollen to deal with. Our yard is relatively clean and a good raking is all it will take to prepare it for the spring and summer ahead. For now, I just have to wait for the rain and sun to further prepare the yard for summer!
So this is where you come in readers! I have a fabulous giveaway from my friends at Scotts Miracle-Gro!
This prize package is valued at $150 and has everything you need to get your spring growing season off to a fabulous start:
- Weed Be Gon 5L with Wand
- Turf Builder Start Lawn Food
- Home Defense Max Ant Trap
- Home Defense Max Ant Glue Traps
- Flower Magic Multicolour Mix
- $50 Home Depot Gift Card
- Scotts Miracle-Gro Blanket
To enter to win this amazing giveaway, I’m asking for your help. What do YOU suggest I grow in the 6×6 container garden in my yard, based on the size and amount of sunlight it gets? My readers will determine what I ultimately decide!
Most vegetables require 6 hours of Sunlight a Day. You will likely be able to plant Salad Greens, such as leaf lettuce, arugula, endive, and cress. Most herbs, so you could have an Herb Garden The below won’t be the best but will survive with less sun.
. Broccoli
. Cauliflower
. Peas
. Beets
. Brussels Sprouts
. Radishes. Swiss Chard
. Leafy Greens, such as collards, mustard greens, spinach, and kale
Beans
In some ways, growing in a site with part shade is easier than growing in full sun. You won’t have to water as
often, and crops that are quick to bolt in hot weather, such as lettuces and spinach, will grow quite a bit longer
given some shade.
Tomatoes and lettuce
I don’t have much of a green thumb either lol. I would probably grow some tOmatoes there
I don’t know much about gardening and it would help to know if you are thinking of using it for veggies or a pretty flower bed but with that amount of sun, veggies may be tricky?
I’d try a shade garden with some bushy hostas, tall reed grasses, maybe some astilbes and bleeding heart?
Good luck with it, can’t wait to see photos as it progresses!
Tomatoes I find easy
A bunch of herbs like parsley, sage, thyme, etc. what a great little space!
How about green onions?
I would say tomatoes, especially cherry tomatoes because they produce so much. I would also plant some leaf lettuce and parsley. Maybe add afew radishes in, if you have room.
I’d suggest tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, and some herbs.
I think you should grow mint because it is great in water, tea, and cooking
Tomatoes or herbs is a good way to start.
Herbs, lettuce, peppers and some strawberries for the kids
I would go with tomatoes and peppers!
I would say go with herbs, tomatoes and some cucumber
I think you should grow Lettuce, Green Onions, and Peppers.
Tomato and pepper plants grow vertically, with a cage, so they won’t take up a lot of ground space. That lets you get more into the garden. You could also plant a row of carrots and/or green onions and a couple bulbs of garlic. I would grow herbs in a separate pot/container so they don’t take space away from vegetables.
It would make a great herb garden.
I would say tomatoes or herbs. We have both outside our kitchen door. So handy for cooking or making salads.
I would go with tomatoes!
green beans and tomatoes
You should grow Cherry Tomatoes.
I think you should grow some tomatoes and cucumbers
Tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce, peppers and fresh basil.
I love having my thyme, parsley and basil!
If you enjoy using fresh herbs, plant several types. Most thrive in hot, sunny soil and you will be able to use them all summer and then cut right back and dry them for use all winter. Easy to grow but you can buy seedlings in the nurseries for a decent price. Several are hardy perennials even in Saskatchewan. I have grown: sage; rosemary; cilantro; parsley; lavender; several types of thyme, basil and oregano. Mint needs to be planted in a container because it will spread – a lot! But if you like it in tea/iced tea or mojitos, plant away! All the mints do really well here. Herbs will be super easy for the kids to help you with and they smell divine; all these are great at keeping mosquitoes away, too. Baskets of geraniums are cheap and they do the same so hang lots around the deck.
If you want flowers, try a Bergenia. Mine is seriously tough! Leaves are quite large and bright green. Blooms with a bright pink flower on a spike. Any kind of chrysantemum or dahlia -they come in different heights so you can grow taller ones by the fence and shorter ones in front. They bloom every colour of the rainbow & later than a lot of flowers so you will have colour right into the fall. Little dianthus plants are quite compact and come in various colours and bloom heavily for quite a long time. Iceland poppies bloom brilliant yellow, orange and white. Delphiniums need to be staked but you have protection for them at the back of the bed beside the fence – blue, purple, mauve, pink, white. Marigolds are super easy for the kids – different colours and heights. Sunflowers need a fair bit of space but you can grow them easily and then leave them out for bird food in the fall.
I could blather even more, but will stop after a final suggestion. Buy this book: Lyndon Penner, local fellow, is hilarious and very knowledgeable – Garden Design for the Short Season Yard
I think tomatoes, lettuce, green onions and green onions would grow well in your container garden 🙂
Tomatoes!
I would go with cherry tomatoes and herbs but I am not the gardener in my family. He would love this prize pack though!
tomatoes, zucchini 🙂
I think that you should grow basil. There’s nothing quite like fresh basil.
Grow corn
I would grow whatever your family uses most of .. for us that would be green onions, lettuce, radishes….
I would grow grape tomatoes
herbs or tomatoes
I would probably suggest herbs!
how about cilantro?!
I think your garden is a perfect size for growing herbs.
I think lettuce, spinach and tomatoes would be great in that space and don’t need as much sun.
I would grow lots of herbs
I think green onions but used the bulbs.
Tis could be your salad basket! You could plant some different varieties of lettuce with staggered planting times so you have an ongoing growth of lettuce. You could also put in a couple or 3 cucumber plants, some green onions, some radishes, a couple later maturing tomato plants, combined with some cherry tomato plants. Perhaps a zucchini plant along the edge would add interest! This sounds like so much fun!
I like functional plants, so herbs!
you should grow tomatoes
I would go with herbs because they can be used in so many ways.
Herbs! Like Basil & Mint! Love Mint!
you should grow peas
I think you should grow strawberries.
Consider wave petunias- easy and pretty
My daughter loves to garden with me so we let her fill her container with pansies and marigolds,long blooming and pretty. i like to grow herbs . Plus we like to use plants to keep the mosquitoes away so we plant catnip,lemon balm,more marigolds,cironella plant,and lavender. We had so much success last year, well, the catnip attracted our cats!
I’d choose assorted herbs that you usually use in your cooking.
Tomatoes, cucumbers & herbs. Makes a perfect salad in the summer.
I think you should grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and some herbs.
herbs, tomatoes, lettuce or wax beans
I think you should grow tomatoes. Mmmm so yummy!
I would go with tomatoes..green onion…onions…lettuce…cucumber…peas….carrots….yummy!
Herbs, Tomatoes and Peppers
Tomatoes!!!! mmmmmm delicious
I think you should grow lettuce, radishes and some herbs.
Zucchini and green onion! Very easy for both to grow!!
Grape tomatoes has my vote. They don’t take up very much room and you can eat them raw or use them in your cooking.
tomatoes, romaine lettuce and herbs
Tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries!
I would say green onions for sure, yellow or green beans and of course herbs.
I can help with this! Tomatoes, beans, spinach, kale, strawberries, green onions…you can grow so much in a container garden!
Cucumbers and dill.
I think you should grow some tomatoes and green onions;
I think you should grow tomatoes , green onions, and summer squash.
Perfect size to grow an herb garden..go for it!
Definitely some tomatoes, big beef steak ones and those little cherry tomatoes. And some herbs that you will actually use. I love basil for my Italian cooking and rosemary for my potatoes. Keep it easy and what you love.
I would suggest a tomato plant, some spinach/lettuce and some herbs.
A bunch of herbs like thyme, parsley, sage,
I’d mix a few packets of flower seeds and scatter in the area. You will have a kaleidoscope of color.
Tomatoes with some green onions around them!
Tomatoes and Zuchinni/Cucumbers. They are high yield and will make the most of the space
I would plant tomatoes in the containers.
I’d suggest a few garden herbs like Rosemary and Summer Savory and a few Tomato plants and of course a hanging Strawberry plant
some strawberry plants or tamatoes etiher one would be nice
I think strawberries are a good choice. Easy to take care of and delicious!
I think tomatoes are pretty easy to grow.
You could grow some nice herbs!
You should grow carrots. Its hard to screw up carrots ……trust me.
Tomatoes and Peppers!
Tomatoes
Tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, mini cukes, and carrots.
If you want flowers, I would do a nice tall grass in centre and then something mid height in front (marguerite daisy or begonia) and something lower in front again (Bacopa or calibrachoa)
Carrots!
I really like onions and peppers, but herbs are easier to grow!
You should grow blueberries and tomatoes, super easy and they taste amazing
Why not try to grow a salad – some lettuce, radishes (so easy) and some cherry tomatoes (I like the Tom Thumb variety)?
I would plant strawberries, they are expensive to buy at the store, but grow them in your garden and you can have a small feast everyday, the overbearing variety will give you fruit the whole summer.
I like butterfly friendly flowers , nothing better then pretty flowers thats attract butterflies to your yard! 🙂
Strawberries 🙂 Super easy, even I can grow them! 🙂
I have a small garden and I have strawberries
I would go with tomatoes, peas, beans, and cucumbers. Take advantage of tall plants to get the best bang for your buck
Tomatoes, herbs and strawberries for sure
Tomatoes
tomatoes & herbs.. garlic for sure
Nothing better than having fresh herbs!
Something easy and can be used in a ton of dishes – tomatoes!
Tomatoes – they’re super easy.
herbs, tomato, cucumber
tomatoes , peppers
I’d use that space for tomatoes, cucumbers, basil & chives!
I always grow food that I will use all the time, so picking everyday is always fresh. I would recommend growing radishes, a leaf lettuce that your family prefers, cherries tomatoes, cucumbers, onion & herb all for a fresh salad. As well as maybe strawberries & blueberries for a sweeter one salad! Don’t forget Beefsteak tomatoes for burgers!
I would grow cherry tomatoes, basil and cucumbers.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes or an herb garden
i love growing tomatoes and cucumbers in my container garden.
Need to start tomatoes & herbs soon 🙂
I’d grow tomatoes since you can likely only grow one thing, and I love them! Oh, and one basil plant.
Beets, carrots, beans plus a couple of tomatoes would be good
zucchini! Home grown zucchini is the best!
I would love to start some herbs and spices , thanks for the giveaway
Some of your favourite veggies!
Tomatoes and herbs
Potatoes! So easy and very little maintenance. And in that little space you will be absolutely amazed how many potatoes it will yield. I live in Newfoundland. So believe me, if I can get potatoes to grow in this climate (rain, drizzle & fog) you will most definitely succeed. LOL!
My vote always goes to cherry tomatoes and beets!! Yumm!
I am not a big planter yet, but I hope to be since we finally have a yard this year. I would think herbs such as lemon basil and tomatoes would be easy enough
I would plant some rosemary, basil or parsley in your small container garden.
You should do a herb garden as they add so much flavour to dishes.
I think you should grow tomatoes!
I would grow tomatoes and some herbs.
I think tomatoes, lettuce, carrots and peas could all go in there. If you did peas along the back and then carrots along the other 3 edges of the box you would still have plenty of room for a couple tomato plants and several lettuce plants. Then you could do complete salads from it.
Basil, tomatoes, snap peas, and strawberries.
I sugest a herb garden, I love growing all my own herbs for the summer bbq meals.
tomatoes, basil, and snap peas are my favorites to grow.
i think tomatoes
A wide array of herbs and spices and different types/colored tomatoes!
heirloom tomatoes
Is it too late for strawberries?
Maybe some herbs would go good in there!
spinach, lettuce, parsley & cilantro & if you still have room a tomato
I think herbs would get you the biggest yeld
So many great suggestions… I would grow herbs in the area. Grow what you will use the most 🙂
A small herb garden would be perfect!!
Herbs and lettuce
Our lawn needs help with dandelions – how can I grow herbs successfully? I need Miracle Gro
you should grow carrots
Mm I’d suggest Green Onions! Cucumbers too.
Not much of green thumb here but my Husband always seems very successful with cherry tomatoes and english cucumbers 🙂 Good luck and happy planting! Incredible prize pack! Thanks a bunch!
Tomatoes and peppers
tomatoes! tomatoes were the first thing I grew!
One of the easiest things to grow is lettuce and peas. If you include a tomato plant, you can have fresh salad
Zucchini!!!!!!! SO hearty and so yummy!
From SK?! and that wee little square container is it?! No Baba huge garden? What is the world coming too? LOL
Remember the days of raiding gardens? Not me, but I heard of it 😉 It’s amazing that we use to sneak to get Fresh Veggies!
My suggestion is to put up a little trellis & plant peas. They are awesome to see grow and your SK kids will be able to eat the peas right off the vine. Like it should be eaten. 🙂
My rule of thumb is to grow things that you will enjoy! I grow only the herbs that I like and things like tomatoes, peas, green peppers, and green onions in the vegetable garden. I love to grow things that the kids can harvest themselves throughout the summer!
Celery , its the simplest thing to grow i have mine growing , its growing like a bad weed 🙂
Thats not enough sunlight hours fir alot of things… I have a tree that blocks my garden so i have to plant certain things where there is the most sun. Dont bother with potatoes or carrots.
For you, Spinach grows easily & fast! Any lettuce, onions & herbs.
I think you should grow a variety of herbs, interspersed with useful flowers like lavender and chamomile.
herbs like basil and mint
Cherry tomatoes and herbs are a great start 🙂 Best of luck!
hmmmm….tomatoes! or carrots.
herbs, strawberries and tomatoes
Carrots and peas!! So easy!!
I would plant tomatoes and green beans
Some herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions
Herbs! There are so many uses for them! I’m using an old wagon wheel this year to make an herb garden. I can’t wait to get it planted!
I would suggest cucumbers, onions and some herbs
Basil!
You should grow tomatoes!!
Tomatoes and bell peppers. Those are two of the hardest to find dirt grown, and they are typically grown out of chemical bags.
tomatoes, mint.
You should grow herbs that you would use or cook with. Basil, parsley, mint. etc.
I’m a big fan of herbs! Try mint, rosemary, and thyme…you will get lots of use out of them.
I would add a couple planters with tomatoes and peppers. In the garden, I would plant kale, romaine, carrots, radishes, and chives.
i would suggest either tomato plants or a herb garden
Strawberries grow well in container gardens and they’ll come back every year so you’ll always have something yummy to enjoy. They’re pretty easy to take care of and if you get everbearing plants you should get plenty each season. If you go the strawberry route, I’d suggest planting some pine berries too. They’re a white type of strawberry that tastes a bit like a pineapple. So tasty.
You may want to change the end date for this contest as your home page says it ends June 1st but the prize winner has already been selected.
Make sure to share pictures of the harvest. Look forward to the next phase.