"Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them."

   In my last post, I talked about cleaning up from the storm and weed damage. Just before I got ready to have the front of my plot tilled, for my autumn veggies, I learned the truth behind my weed woes. It seems my plot, and surrounding plots, had been infested by nut grass. I was fighting a losing battle all summer with my weed removal methods. After researching, I found that tilling only brings the nut grass seeds to the surface and awakens them. So what did I do?

The garden next to me is overtaken with weeds...

   I did not have the plot tilled. I decided to embrace some of these weeds and give up on the idea of a picture-perfect garden. They appeared to protect my established plants, especially my melons, from deer and other critters. I am only putting my weeding efforts into protecting my new seeds and plants. The rows without plants will be kept back with a weed-eater. I have cleaned up the front of the garden by hand and planted my autumn greens. Once I decided to use the weeds to my advantage, I only put minimal work into weeding the needed areas. Now, I can love my garden even more and focus on the positive aspects. Despite the setbacks and hardships, I am not taking the easy, toxic way of weed and pest removal. I am enjoying my chemical free produce, and doing my part to help the environment. Now my garden is in good enough shape to continue my harvesting and venture into crop rotation.

   After a large number of my corn was wiped out by the storms, I planted new corn in a different section of the garden. I planted the seeds in a box form to hopefully protect them more from the elements, and they have been growing beautifully. I just recently planted new pumpkins in the front of the garden. The tomatoes have been pruned for more produce. I have also taken cuttings from the plants and started new roots. These plants will be rotated to the other side of the garden.

   Now that my garden is in good shape for fall, I can concentrate on harvesting. And boy have I been harvesting! I got my first cantaloupe and watermelons. They were absolutely mouth-watering and delicious! Even my iguana, Reptar, approves.

Happy Iguana with organic fruits and flowers from the garden...

Back on Track...

   Since my last post, I have been trying to weed and clean up as much as possible. I sadly lost half of my corn, so I replanted more corn and most definitely fertilized this time. Unfortunately, between the rain and scorching sun, it has been hard to maintain those dang weeds!! They keep coming back ten-fold and overtaking my garden. But I decided I wouldn't let that keep me down. So, I knocked back the rows of weeds with a weed-eater. I have been weeding around my smaller plants, and will mulch around them in hopes that will keep the weeds at bay. Soon, I'll till the front of the garden and plant my Jack-o-Lantern pumpkins and Autumn greens.

  Thankfully, my hard work is paying off. Summer harvesting has really kicked in! I got my first round of tomatoes, okra, jalapeño and banana peppers, corn, and Sugar Pie pumpkins. And let me tell you...nothing tastes better than fresh, organic veggies! Sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper, boiled corn on the cob drizzled with butter, and fried okra are absolutely dee-lish!!! I am going to make pumpkin puree to swirl in my Greek yogurt and roasted jalapenos with cream cheese, too. Yum!
 

  Oh, and my watermelon and cantaloupe plants are looking soooo good! It makes my mouth water just thinking about them lol. So excited!!

I also brought one of my sunflowers home for a decorative treat. Hopefully by my next post, I will have my garden completely cleaned up and new seeds planted.