Tending A Garden

Let me begin by saying I am not much of a green thumb, although I do love to be surrounded by nature; trees and wildlife. Also water if I have any say so. But, as of last year, I am learning how to grow a few things in a garden. After some failures last year, I am being open to suggestions from people who love to garden, and am getting out and doing a little more work. I may not be doing things perfectly, at least I am trying to get better at it, and trying to find joy in doing it. Gardening is like other things in life I am finding, we love the rewards at the end, but sometimes don’t like to put in the necessary work.

With that said, last year it was tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. And we found out, last year, that tomato horn worms like peppers as much as tomatoes. Who would have thought that. I cannot even tell you how many horn worms we pulled off the plants. Even though we had that problem, the peppers were plentiful. The tomatoes not so much. This year we did a couple of things different, and already I am seeing improvement.

This year, we used tomato cages instead of stakes. this is allowing our plants to get a little higher and our tomatoes to spread out more and become bigger. We planted garlic around the perimeter and in between rows as a deterrent to keep the horn worms at bay. So far, no sighting and that is a great thing. We planted other herbs as well in the garden – Basil, Nasturtium, thyme, rosemary, sage, and chives. All but one, seems to be doing beautifully. I have to investigate what is going on with my sage, and possibly move its location. I will check with the farmers almanac for a good replanting day if that is necessary. This year we also planted quite a few bell peppers and fewer jalapenos. We were worried that with the amount of rain we have had, which meant later planting, that our garden would not produce. We are finally beginning to see buds, flowers, and growth. Something to bring us smiles.

I am learning that gardening is like anything or everything else in life. It has its positive in providing fruit and its negative in weeds, it needs to be provided with love and care to succeed, and the more work you put into it, the greater the reward. I am not doing perfectly in my weeding, but I am trying. I am not giving it total love and care as I try to balance my garden with work, writing, and other things needing to be done around the house. One day I will find balance and time for it all. I will do this because in the end the rewards are totally worth all the time and effort put in.

In the end, I guess if I could say anything to you, whether you too are growing a garden or just attempting to live a life worth it. Just remember, every choice has its benefits and consequences, every reward requires hard work, when we remove the negative we make more room for the positive, and everything needs love and care – me, you, our friends, strangers, our gardens, all life. Let us tend to them with joyous hearts. As always feel free to leave a comment, an addition, a part of who you are. It will always be welcomed here with an open heart.