First cantaloupe!

So I was making my usual rounds, watering the plants, pollinating them (with an electronic toothbrush :) and when I got to the cantaloupe plant, I noticed it was gone; obviously it had fallen someplace. I did support it with a stocking but apparently I didn't do a very good job of that. I found it in the dirt several feet away being eaten by snails. They didn't do any real damage, they just ate a bit of the outer skin. It actually tasted good! It's about half the size of a cantaloupe you'd find in the store, but still exciting nonetheless. Especially considering that I never planted it but it sprouted on its own.

New season, new beginning

I have just started planting seeds for the start of the new gardening season here in Miami. The tomato plants that are currently growing were all started from a few tomatoes that I left rotting in the containers and tons sprouted. I separated them into cups and then put them in containers. 

Most of them are fairing well so far. This season seems to be the attack of worms and caterpillars - fruitworms, tomato hornworms, etc. I check the underside of the leaves often for the eggs to prevent the damage before it even begins.

This season I'll be growing: Tomatoes, Broccoli, Lacinato kale (aka dinosaur kale), Bell peppers, Radishes, Spinach and possibly Beets.

Newly planted seeds, mostly in Styrofoam cups. 

(tomatoes, broccoli, kale, pepper and marigold seeds).

Tomato plant in the front, weed plant in the back container which I need to uproot...

Compost bin.

Tomato plants sprung to life after fertilizing with Miracle-Gro.

Basil plant. Will let it go to seed as the bees love the flowers.

Volunteer sungold plant, diseased, but still producing.

Volunteer cantaloupe plant!

Tomato plant with companion mint plant.

Bell pepper and tomato.

Thyme.

Mint.

Oregano.

Started a mango plant from seed :)

Yes, just weeds. But my plan is to cover with strips of cardboard, paper, etc. then a layer of good soil. Hoping this method of adding organic matter that will break down over time will improve the native soil and evict the nematodes! Will plant broccoli, kale, spinach and radishes in the ground and see how it fairs.

Future home of vegetable plants!