Garden Again

And to make a short story long...

I have not planted anything since February or so. At that time my life took a nose dive - just when I thought I was coming up for air - and it sent me into a depression - ok short trip, but still. Part of that involved the garden. I thought I would have to move asap and I finished up with what was growing, but otherwise could not bear to look at it or go in the backyard.

Depression, although hideously boring on the outside, is a real thing. Who knew? Managed to not sink, and almost started the garden a few times but would just get overwhelmed. OK. Fast forward to now. The imminent end of living here was postponed yet another month. And here it is August and I have missed the whole summer and I could have planted!

So last night I said "Screw it. Last year the garden saved my life and I could certainly use some more this year so I am planting. Move be damned!" And today that is what I did. However, this was now in a backyard that had been horribly neglected in a year when we had record rains. It is a jungle. A jungle I have not mowed in months. But - baby steps.

I cleared a pathway around the first two beds and there I planted beets, carrots, zucchini (in the 2X2), peas (early but oh well) and a tomato (late, but never say die!) I was able to snag at the local Lowes. I was sure they would all be gone. The peas and tomato are both a crap shoot. Well, it is ALL a crap shoot because I really do not know what tomorrow will bring except I know that I now have my garden started.

Who knows? Maybe I will win the lottery and buy the house outright. But then, dang - I will be stuck with a really overgrown backyard! LOL.

A hard won path around the first two beds. A 6X3 and a 2X2.

Ah, that first planting. Everything looks so neat and tidy at this point.
The method of gardening I use is "Square Foot Gardening" which due to extra good soil and a clever use of grid gives a really decent output in a small space.

Tomatoes planted next to peas. Seems odd.

A sweet potato coming up from last year. I must have left a piece in the ground. I planted zucchini in this box so we will see who survives.

The plumbago, although gorgeous, has completely eliminated entry into the side yard, but it is so pretty with the white roses.

My beautiful 4X4 box of wildflowers just quietly took care of themselves.

This is what the other boxes look like.
However, with the special soil mix, they pull out really easily.

And in case you think I am exaggerating anything, Pasha wrote in a school assignment describing the pretty colors of my garden: "In my grandma's uncared for garden..." Oh my.