Monday, June 30, 2014

That's what harvest is for

I've been discouraged about my garden lately. It's hot. Coming back from vacation, it's just hard to get back into the swing of working in the yard and garden. At this point, it's going to be an uphill climb out there. I've barely stayed on top of watering (mostly thanks to my new hose timers), cursed at my borer-eaten squash plants that looked so promising, looked the other way with the weeds, and feared another snake in my berries. I'm tired. And did I mention that it's hot?

Then this morning, the kids yanked up a monstrous carrot. Seeing it was a thrill. And the harvest was on.


The truth is my garden hasn't actually gone to pot. Or seed. My sweet potato is practically exploding out of its bag. Some of my squash is hanging on, and I have new seedlings to replace what was lost. I have learned how to build sturdy, presentable, affordable trellises that will last for years. I have another season of tomato growing under my belt, and I finally succeeded in growing big ones this year. I had begun to doubt that was possible. The list goes on.

Growth has continued, and I have a counter-full of fresh, homegrown produce to feed my family. 

An assortment of basil
Paris Market carrots, Red Malabar spinach,  Nyagous and Currant Sweet Pea tomatoes, Sheepnose Pimento and Aurora peppers and lots of basil. Yum.