Simply Tasheena: May 2020

Typically people start working on their garden plans for the next season during the winter months (if not sooner). I have to be honest, pre-COVID, I really struggled with starting a garden this year. Last year I really did not have the time to tend to my garden, my harvest reflected that. I didn't see this year being any different. Of course, a lot has changed since December/January. Around April I made the decision that I would start a garden this year. I've always struggled in the past with starting my seeds indoors. I don't have the largest home, and it gets really cold in Connecticut. Therefore I typically go with plants for tomatoes and peppers. In prior years, I would start planting my peas in the ground around mid-march. Of course, I'm behind this year. I started tending to my garden around mid-April.

Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies. Something about being in my garden that's so therapeutic to me. I'm hoping to purchase some tomato and pepper plants. I've noticed in my area a shortage of them. I also plan on doing things a little differently this year. I plan on growing some plants from straps as well. I also plan on growing from seeds too. I recently planted some cantaloupe and pepper seeds (green and red), so I'm really excited about this. My garden is still in the early stages. However, It really nice to see the sage I planted from last year's growth. Sage typically takes about two years to reach its mature size.

Also, something dug up some of the seeds that I planted in April. I plan on adding a fence to my garden this year too. This has been an issue in prior years as well.

Are you starting a vegetable garden this year?

My 2020 Vegetable Garden Plans

Plants Growing from Straps/Seeds

Carrots
Avocado (Tree)
scallions
Potato
Cantaloupe
Peppers
Lemon (Tree)
Pineapple

New/Never Harvested

Swisscard
Spanish Peppers
Melons
Pumpkin
Mint
Green and Yellow Squash
Cucumbers

Returning

Sage
Tomatoes (Cherry, Big Boy)
Peppers
Red and Green Peppers
Basil

Photos from My Garden

Garden Beds April 12, 2020

Peas

Garden Beds April 12, 2020

Sage - May 17, 2020

Cantaloupe - May 17, 2020

Green and Red Peppers - May 17, 2020

Carrot seeds - May 17, 2020 (Last container)

Avocado Plant - May 17, 2020

11 comments

During these times of uncertainty. It’s really easy to forget about self-care. Now more than ever. It's so important to create and implement a healthy self-care routine for yourself. I understand for some that getting out of the bed each morning can be a task in itself. The most important thing is for you to be easy on yourself and your mental state during this time. Right now, is not a productivity contest. The tips and examples below are more suggestions and ideas.

Self-Care During Quarantine

Bucket List
It’s super easy to create a quarantine bucket list. I easily created one in my planner, and it actually sparked the idea of creating a monthly bucket list for myself, instead of quarterly of a yearly bucket list.

Bucket List Ideas Example

Read a new book
Cook a new recipe
Try a new skincare routine.
Walk for 30 minutes.
Do a puzzle
Mediate

Daily schedule
I never knew the importance of having some type of structure and stability until I became an adult. Create a daily schedule for yourself and stick to it. This schedule can be as simple as the example below.

Quarantine Schedule Example

6 am- Wake & Hygiene
6-7 am - Breakfast
7-8 am - Journal
9-12pm - Learn (this could be just browsing through Pinterest and/or doing Google Searches.)
12-1 pm - Lunch
1-3 pm - Time Outside (i.e. garden, walking, hiking, etc.)
3-4 pm - Productivity (Clean House, Organize, Clean Car, Create a grocery list, etc.)
4-6pm - Hobbies (Gardening, Painting, Reading, Baking, Cooking, etc.)
6-7 pm- Dinner
7-10 pm Winding Down & Hygiene

Create a Meal Routine
It’s so easy to create unhealthy eating habits. Now more than ever is a great time to create a meal plan and stick to it. This should also assist with cutting down with your grocery store runs/delivers. Sit down, and create a meal plan for the week or entire month.

Pamper Self-Care Day
Don’t forget about a day that’s all about catering to yourself. I like to have these days on Sunday to jumpstart the new week. However, you can do whatever works for you and your schedule.