Well, it's official. Even though I am a farmer's wife, I do not have a natural knack for growing things. Ironic, isn't it? Things started off okay way back in April when I started some seeds in the house. Everything that I planted sprouted nice and tall. The tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, melons, etc. They all looked so cute as those itty-bitty seedlings grew. Then my bad luck hit. First, my puppy terrorized the cukes, melons, and the pumpkins. She shredded them, apparently thinking they were an interesting chew toy that I had left on the stoop for her. Then, I thinned my tomatos and green pepper starts only to begin over- and under-watering the poor things. I would forget to water them one day and then water them twice the next because I had forgotten that I had already watered them! Suprisingly, I only managed to kill half of them then. The other half died a few weeks later for no apparent reason. Now, I am in danger of losing my garden space to the grass and clover that is attempting to reclaim it's former territory and something is eating my spinach. Only half of my corn seed sprouted and only half of that is knee high right now. Did I mention that my poor garden was also the victim of a freak hailstorm over the weekend? *Sigh* Maybe I should just stick to fake flowers. At least you can't kill those. :)
Actually, despite all of the setbacks, I am really looking forward to harvesting my 'fruits of my labors'. I am being realistic and try to keep in mind that this is my first year ever having a garden and that I can't expect to learn everything at once. I also know that I can't expect that my garden is going to be perfect. In fact, the weeds (of all things) have been a great motivator. I get so annoyed with the darn things that I am determined to 'show them who's boss' and prove to myself that this is something worthwhile. It's really rewarding for me to walk through my garden in the evenings and see just how well everything is growing and know that I did this...I started those seedlings in early April and nursed them along until they were strong enough to be transplanted. I planted and re-planted seeds and seedlings and I have nurtured them from day one. I am out there just about everyday weeding, hilling, picking, and caring for my plants. In a way, my garden is like a child. I have to feed it, care for it, tend it every day. Each day, it grows strong and healthy and cares for me in return. I have found that I am losing weight (albeit slowly, but losing it nonetheless) from all of the hoeing and tilling I have done. Since veggies from the garden always taste so wonderfully fresh and they are, of course, good for you, I am eating healthier and my body is responding. I have more energy. I spend more time outdoors enjoying nature and my surroundings. So, despite my initial poor luck, things are looking up. Perhaps I will learn how to turn my 'butterfingers' into 'green thumbs' after all.
