I never cease to be amazed at my garden. Everyday I go out and find something new, and the experience, for me, is fascinating and enjoyable. This is the first time I’ve tried to grow so many different things all in one season. Some things have died and others have flourished, some things have been disappointing and others have been amazing. I never really thought I could do this on my own but so far it’s almost August and I’ve only managed to kill a few things.
One of the first things I planted at the beginning of the season were three, one year old grape vine starts, and they are taking over my whole east side fence, which I am so happy about. I love grape vines with their beautiful leaves, grape clusters and curly cued tendrils like pig tails. I have really enjoyed watching them grow. This is a first for me. The other trees I planted came from the Arbor Day Foundation and they looked like twigs, everyone laughed but 7 out of 10 are thriving so much I had to stake them today. They will be ready by early spring for replanting on my property. That’s really exciting because I have only a miserable plum tree for shade.
There were a lot I grew from seed, including most of my vegetables, and I have been so amazed. I have zucchini coming out my ears, green beans I can’t give away enough of. My bell peppers are getting bigger by the day. The watermelons have really taken off and now I wait patiently for my cucumbers and late tomatoes. I had to replant starts for my bell peppers and cucumbers because some bug, I don’t know what, wanted them more than me. But I’m very pleased with the way the new starts took off and are flourishing.
I think the plants, out of all the ones I planted from seed, that give me the most joy and happiness are the sunflowers I planted from seed. They are all about 4 ½ feet tall and most have got large blooms started. I love to go out in the cool morning and do my weeding and they just smile on me with the sun in their bright faces and say “Good morning!” I know this may sound foolish but I have really enjoyed all of my garden this year, except the weeding. I have done everything organically so it’s been quite the battle with some really bad spots, the weeds choked out what I had planted there and they came back SO fast. I feel bad for the poor plants I put in there.
All in all gardening is great. If you have a chance and you’ve ever had an inkling to garden, do it. It’s so much fun to watch things bloom and literally come to life before your eyes at your own hands and some cows compost!
