"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.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back...

   After my last post, I was feeling pretty good about my garden. I had it cleaned up, fertilized, and started planting new seeds. My garden was beginning to produce vegetables, and I thought the bulk of my hard work was behind me. Boy oh boy, was I wrong!!
   We had a string of hard storms over the past weekend. After waiting a few days to let the garden dry, I was shocked at what I had found. The corn and borage were beaten down. Tomato plants were knocked over. It was a disaster!! Not to mention the weeds were back in full force. My heart was broken. I put so much work into my garden, and to see it in that shape was very discouraging. But after assessing the damage, I decided there was nothing else to do but suck it up and get in recovery mode.

   I drove around the other gardens to see their damage, and went home sad but determined to repair my garden. At least I am getting beautiful cucumbers, and the corn still standing is almost ready to harvest. The tomatoes are close to turning red also. I am so ready for tomatoes and watermelon!!

My beautiful and delicious cucumbers!

  
   In my next blog, I'll talk about the steps I am taking to recovery. I have a lot of work ahead of me.
Here are pictures of the damage done to the surrounding gardens...

Patience is a Virtue...

   My title has never rang more true..."Patience is a Virtue." I didn't understand how truly important good soil is until now. I had only been going by the strips I used a month ago, and hoping that the soil was ready to go. But all of a sudden, I noticed some strange changes in my garden.
   My corn, cucumbers, and zucchini were yellow! I looked around at the surrounding gardens and noticed how their corn and other plants were dark green. What was happening?

   I decided to immediately get online and order a proper soil tester. It was around $10, and I had it shipped priority mail. As soon as it arrived, I made a beeline to the garden. I was very disappointed with the results. The soil was not acidic at all, but rather alkaline. Not good. The fertility meter read "too little." Boy, oh boy, did I mess up! I had been so excited about my garden that I relied on incorrect pH strips and a prayer. I admit...I was overzealous.

   Nothing to do now but raise the acidity and fertility quickly! I made a trip to Lowes and picked up Jobes Organic Fertilizer. I also rounded up as much of my organic coffee grounds that I had been saving and got busy!

   I hoed and cultivated around the corn and sprinkled the fertilizer about 6 inches away. Then I pulled the dirt and fertilizer back over the corn. After I treated the rest of my plants, I went home and waited. Luckily, I didn't have to water because rain was in the forecast. It has rained for 2 days now. I am anxious to see if my plants can quickly recover from my mistake. This has been a great learning lesson for me. Fingers crossed my babies recover!!

                                       

The life of a farmer!! My vehicle shows it all lol

Looking good!!

   I try to go out to the garden everyday, unless it rains. After a few more days of raining, on May 19th I went back to inspect...and of course, weed some more. By now, I have gotten exhausted with weeding. I decided to hit the sale at Lowes and buy a cultivator to help beat up the weeds and loosen the soil. It was on sale for $20. And it worked beautifully. It makes weeding so much easier. That was money well spent.

              

   I was happy to walk through my garden and see everything looking good. I noticed a lot less beetles, so the neem works. I mixed up more of the mixture and sprayed again. I also planted onions, garlic, okra, carrots, peppers and more watermelon. Previously, I planted asparagus. I read that the first couple of years, asparagus cannot be harvested and eaten. So I purchased some 3-year-old crowns from ebay for $12. Not bad, considering how expensive it is to buy asparagus at the grocery store. And boy, do I love asparagus!!!  
                                                                                                   

 

                                   

                            

   I was very happy to see how well my garden was coming along; however, I will be learning a very valuable lesson in the week to come...