5.14.2008

This garden planning thing--it's tough for me. Click on the picture (or here) to see a full view of what we've got in the ground so far. I have such a hard time thinking rather than doing.
Over-educating myself with what can be where.
It's so easy to do with all the resources available as the home gardening industry kicks up.
Even when gardening on an increasingly large scale, it's the smallest things that bring the greatest joy. Yesterday, Hi-C and I enjoyed the one sugar snap pea that was ready to eat. Yes, we each got half of it, but because that's what we each got, the one bite was more delicious than an entire bowl full.


We added more corn and beans yesterday. The back bed (the one on top in the diagram) is actually full, but I can't remember what I put where. We watered a good, deep water from the rain barrel, attached to a soaker hose. No problems there, though I'd expected some like not enough pressure.

This year I've spent about $100 total on the vegetable garden, including the cucumber trellis, and a $30 purchase yesterday that consisted of all the last minute things I'd forgotten (like yellow squash and zucchini!). I also bought 2 hops vines. We have yet to turn the faucet on for watering, tough I have a feeling there will be a time for that, soon. Some of the drought restrictions have been lifted, but I'd prefer not to spend money if possible.

Charlie likes to joke about W.T.S.H.T.F. He said if the world comes to an end, lots of people will garden and forage but beer will be a valuable commodity. He's kidding, of course, but once bitten by the DIY bug, well crap, the sickness consumes the body and any interesting plant becomes a new distraction and a whole lot of potential.



We've been getting more interested in trying wilder fare (wild onions, wild ginger, etc.), really enjoying the small joys of finding a plant, identifying it, then munching on a new flavor. Looking around the world on such a small level is an incredible feeling, finding discarded objects (both by people and animals) and learning a little of the story behind them. Learning. Funny, but I have a feeling these explorations will end up in some drawings in the near future.

Garlic Breath is a fun blog read, so of course I've become smitten with it. The writer (and family) are living in Southern France, practicing limited consumerism. Think Barbara Kingsolver and Peter Mayle all rolled up into one big, experimental year.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh what a coinkidink I came across this blog! I was googling today on how to grow your own vegie patch. I was worried about bugs and how to deal with them. It's made me apprehensive to start actually. Coming across your site may be a good sign, so thanks! :)

Maria
http://blognow.com.au/makemyheartsing

Anonymous said...

We ate our first sugar snap peas this week, too. YUM.

Unknown said...

so, i started reading animal, vegetable, mineral, and needless to say i'm totally in love! i can's wait to finish it, share it, and read it again! glad to hear your garden is growing! mine is a little slow in starting (not the plant's fault, the people's) so it's exciting to hear about other people's growing!