It’s all a mess. Such a mess.
I planted my cold-weather greens (spinach, lettuce, beets) when I normally do, but the weather here in Southern New Jersey warmed up much faster than I thought it would, and I think the heat stunted the growth. Those two underperforming rows at the top half of the bed below should have been lush and, frankly, harvested multiple times by now.
![a very scraggly looking square garden bed with scant greens.](https://kimberussell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-05-22-11.22.13.jpg)
The plan to have big tomato and pepper plants in May by planting them in February did not work. I raised these seedlings in the garage on a heat mat, with controlled lighting. I hardened them gradually by bringing them outside for a few hours, than a day, then eventually overnight. And they are STILL SMALL.
![TINY tomato plant](https://kimberussell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-05-21-16.12.15.jpg)
The seeds I planted in April also sputtered. Some sprouted (zucchini, dill, cilantro, nasturtium, borage, radishes), others didn’t (cucumber, sugar snap peas). And this was even after I sent the soil away for testing and fertilized it properly. I give up. I give up!
Nah, I didn’t give up. The larger tomato plants were transplanted into the garden bed and are finally starting to grow. And last weekend I said screw it and went to the local garden center and bought some young plants. Screw it. I planted those suckers and now my May garden looks like a proper May garden. Sometimes you need a little help.
![two long garden beds, a little doubful](https://kimberussell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LongBeds523.jpg)
The wooden raised bed I bought from Wayfair last year warped and the legs bowed. WM saw me about to hurl it across the yard and converted it into a bed that sits on the ground. I planted some basil, dill, rosemary, thyme (the other rosemary & thyme plants lasted 3 years before dying), oregano, and chamomile in it.
![herbs](https://kimberussell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-05-21-16.12.05.jpg)
Here are the positives:
The flowers are gorgeous. The pink rosebush is majestic. The newer white rosebush is producing wedding-quality white roses. WM planted two smaller rosebushes out front with apricot-colored blooms.
![white and pink roses](https://kimberussell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/roses0523.jpg)
My potatoes are green and lush. The radishes are growing. There is one wild tomato plant that grew on its own and it’s larger than the ones I grew inside.
![buckets of potatoes](https://kimberussell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-05-21-16.09.05.jpg)
And the mint continues to impress. It’s mojito season!
![MINTY!](https://kimberussell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-05-21-16.12.24.jpg)
I’m going to try to salvage the tiny tomato plants by repotting them and adding some tomato food. I still love gardening even when the garden doesn’t love me back.
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