I Planted A Garden

 

I’m the first to admit, I am not a great gardener.  I want to be, I’ve had some small successes in the past, but overall, not so much.  I was thinking this year I wouldn’t even bother, just take the year off or maybe abandon gardening altogether, but I have the desire and it is something I really do want to be somewhat successful at.  I put a lot of effort into my flowerbeds and recently I’ve done really well with that so I know I can become a gardener too.  Maybe not the greatest gardener, but a gardener nonetheless.

 

Roma tomatoes

One of the things that really convinced me to give it a go this year was when I was replacing the garden beds and digging up the old soil it was loaded, I mean loaded, with big fat earthworms.  All of the soil amendments I had added the past two years were finally paying off.  Prior to, the soil in my yard was horrible, I couldn’t even successfully grow grass.  Weeds yes, no problem, but a decent lawn was a whole other matter.  I do know that the quality of the soil in my garden beds was not helping me to become a good gardener at all.

 

A nice variety of peppers

I do believe I owe the current state of the soil in my entire yard and garden area to my chickens and a very cute little bunny.  I’m telling you, if you want to turn your soil around, adopt a bunny.  I had read that bunny manure worked miracles so we put it to the test.  While I was recuperating in 2021 we dumped all of the bunny pellets into the yard, flowerbeds, under the trees and into the compost bin.  Last year I did the same, turning it all into the soil and the earthworms came!

 

The start of my little herb garden
Cilantro for my very helpful little bunny

The soil is rich, black and fluffy now so I am hopeful for a decent result this year.  I also cheated a bunch and bought almost all of my vegetable starts from a nursery instead of growing them from seed.  I picked up tomatoes, a variety of peppers and some herbs.  I also added marigolds to the front of the tomato beds to attract pollinators.  I bought brand new zucchini and pickling cucumber seeds to plant directly into the garden and got rid of all my old seeds so I am completely starting over.  And I’m going small this, not trying to plant everything or a lot of everything, just a little bit at a time to see how it goes.  Then next year I may do a little bit more, who knows?

 

Cucumbers in the middle section

I will be sure to update you on my progress as the summer continues.  Right now I feel like I’m off to a good start and I’m hopeful.  Now to sit back and see what happens.  Have you planted your garden yet?