Thank goodness for the wonderful stores and markets where I am able to conveniently purchase food for myself and my family. I am being sincere. Thank you Whole Foods, thank you Harris Teeter, thank you Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market, thank you CSA, the Norman’s really need you. Without you, we would starve, as my bleak garden, thus far, has yielded one lonely jalapeno.
How is your garden? Go on, brag! Please! Inspire me to spend the time in my backyard garden by sharing your garden’s story. My story is one, unfortunately this summer, of invasion and neglect. The deer continually eat the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. That mystery fungus, or maybe it’s a mold, swallowed the bell peppers. Of course, the basil and rosemary are thriving, and one little lonely pepper. Certainly no recipe from the backyard garden will be gracing our dinner table soon.
Perhaps next spring, I will be outside without a baby riding along in the Bjorn, and I will be able to play in the soil more. Until then, I will begin researching seeds and local nurseries. Abide-A-While is currently the most convenient to my home. Where do you purchase your gardening supplies?
I hope to read about your garden, its defeats and victories. My boys, one of whom remembers last summer’s harvest, has inquired as to why the garden is empty. I have only promised to spend a little more time on our garden, as I do believe a functioning garden belongs in the yard. But I won’t promise to make a concerted effort to keep out the deer. I still enjoy the sight of them, but I do wish their tummies were full after eating all the flowers from the perennial gardens!
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Jennifer
This was certainly a strange year for the backyard garden. My husband and I planted several varieties of tomatoes and peppers, okra, squash, cucumbers, eggplant, radishes, and zucchini. The squash and zucchini were defeated by bugs, the radishes flourished for a while and then gave in to the summer heat. The cucumber, now on it’s second round, is taking over with a vengence. The cherry tomatoes, one of several varieties planted this year, are doing great but I can’t say the same for the beafsteak or better boys. Now the okra, my husband’s favorite summer garden vegetable, is doing so well he picks it twice a day. I taught myself how to pickle and jar okra this year just to keep up with them. Some year’s are definitely better than others for certain vegetables – Why is that I don’t know. Thanks to our CSA membership we are not going to starve and we can still enjoy fresh local vegetables. Nothing beats a home garden though – Keep it up! And be patient – The reward is worth it.
This made me laugh out loud because I can commiserate. I waited patiently all summer as both my pepper and squash plants grew in excess but never did manage to produce anything edible. From home-made pesticides to compost tea, nothing seemed to inspire those two plants to bring forth food. Based on last year’s success, starting seeds early indoors is the way to go and if you can’t do that, buy the more mature plant at the store. I strongly suggest putting up a small fence made from chicken wire, adding some bitter plants along the border, and even planting some sacrificial plants at the edges. Mix in Marigolds- they are a natural repellent. Use a soaker hose and timer. Lay newspaper down between plants and then cover with mulch- this will save you a lot of weeding. And just like in nature…there is always safety in number and variety. Check out this site: http://yougrowgirl.com/ Don’t give up yet!!