The Jealous Gardener
I read MissStress's posts about her gardening adventures and I admit to some twangs of envy. I love gardening, there is nothing like the rich smell of freshly turned earth or watching plants grow, mature, and produce. Even the end of the season when plants die off and everything gets pulled is a great time because it's time to start thinking about what to grow next season. I'm not a totally utilitarian gardener, I like my flowers too, especially roses and butterfly gardens.
I labor under a gardening handicap in the form of residential covenants that restrict digging up the back yard and putting it to a useful purpose. So my gardening is limited to containers on the patio which isn't all bad. We've had a great crop of tomatoes, peppers, beans and peas, not to mention lots of herbs. But I do long to spread my gardening wings.
We've made an offer on a piece of property out in the boondocks. There is plenty of space for an in-ground garden. I have my pea-pickin' little heart set on a 30'x30 plot where I can set out lettuces in the early spring and finish the season with the cold crops. I prefer to sow seed directly into the soil rather than start seeds and transplant seedlings and I'm not above buying seedlings from a competent garden center to get a head start.
My biggest problem is with pests, and not the insect or fungus kind, it's my housemates. One hates anything to do with the great outdoors (gasp) and the other THINKS she likes to garden. Her version of gardening is planting pretty things in the spring and then abandoning ship. She has no clue about weeding and other maintenance chores. Do you suppose it's possible to put a deer-proof fence around the garden to keep them out? A friend suggested that composting them would be most beneficial to the garden!
Comments
n/a 10 years ago
Gardening is great for many reasons, not the least of which is that it puts us close to the earth from whence we came and where we will return some day. Enough philosophy, it's the digging, planting, cultivating, tending, growing, nurturing, harvesting that makes the process worthwhile and here, lots of watering, lots! High desert environments are not the most conducive because in addition to serious drought, there's a very short growing season that can be extended a bit on each end.
Pests? Fences do help a lot and electric is good too for certain varmints. There are some other deterrents on the market like dried blood and other applications that are supposed to keep some unwanted animals out. Then there is the idea of planting enough to share with them too. Weeding can be therapeutic as is the rest of gardening taken as a whole. For me, I like the process as much as the product and enjoying the "fruits" and vegetables of your labors is more than enough reward. I have often made the mistake of planting more than I should have, then have to either sacrifice some or try and take care of all of it. But the results can be shared with neighbors, friends and family. How about saving seeds and heirlooms? Another thing. It's all about the soil and good dirt. I have seen the future and it's compost!
Lady Teddy 10 years ago
I also love to garden, LadyDoc. I have six acres out in the country, so there is lots of room. As it is, I spend almost fifteen to twenty hours a week, watering, weeding, slug hunting and more. Mowing takes five hours a week alone and watering can be two hours a day. Some of those twenty hours a week is done by my handyman/gardener who works with me on the property.
We just finished a multi-day chain sawing and clearing project. We will have quite the brush pile to burn in the Fall. As to growing plants, I love raised beds. I also have lots of containers.
I have to fence a lot to keep either the dogs or the deer out. Maybe, you could get one of the water scarecrows for the housemates? LOL.
Congratulations on the new house in the country! Have fun getting real soil underneath your pretty fingernails :).
Lady Teddy
n/a 10 years ago
I love gardening as well, but do not have much time for it anymore. I battle deer, snails, and gophers, to name a few. I know that deer do not like the smell of rosemary or society garlic. A fence would help improve the odds of keeping them out. Don't forget a scarecrow, too. Maybe one holding an enema bag!
MissStress 10 years ago
You see deer fencing around here occasionally. It's just 5 foot high durable fence. Now if you want to keep the "gardening housemate" out, then lock the gate. lol
I hope you get your little piece of land ladydoc. Then dig those fingers into the dirt and grow some wonderful goodies to eat (and maybe some to play with). :)