July 20, 2016
Turn off the heat!
Or at least turn it down. Here in mid-Missouri, we have been roasting with temperatures in the 90s (and climbing), and relative humidity to compete with it, since the first of June. Fortunately, we've had lots of rain, so the farmers will get to harvest - IF we don't get too much rain. Sure, we typically get some scorchers in the summer here, but not starting the first of June and holding.
Other gardeners have been telling me their gardens are not doing so well, and I'm not surprised. Luckily, mine is actually pretty good with a few exceptions. I had to pull my onions already because the ground is so wet, and my cucumber vines look like they don't even care to try any more - just let us die in peace. But the okra is fabulous, and if they can get some temperatures low enough to ripen, I've got a good showing of tomatoes.
But, I've gone too far here. This is where I'm supposed to be telling you how and why.
In the fall of 2013 I retired and returned to the farm in Missouri where I grew up to help care for my mother, who's not really needing it so much after all (and that's another story). I quickly realized I'd need something to keep me occupied outdoors and decided I'd really like to create a vegetable garden. I've lived in many different areas of the country, but always in cities, so I didn't have any experience, but I did know that vegetable gardening is a lot of hard work. I don't like a lot of hard work, so if I have to do it, I need to make it fun, if at all possible. Therefore, I decided to create a garden that was fun to work in and pretty to look at: an ornamental vegetable garden, if you will.
I've been keeping copious records for three years' worth of garden, and I'm learning some important things, but I'm also realizing that sometimes I'm just guessing. Several people have acted like they're impressed with my "green thumb." I don't have one. I just understand a few principles (I graduated from the University of California at Davis with a master's degree in plant protection and pest management for agricultural crops - quite a number of years ago), and I worked for ten years or so on the campus landscape at the University of Missouri in Columbia. And, I've been lucky.
Still, if I had to garden for a living, I'd probably be in trouble. My goal with this project (aside from the aforementioned need to get outdoors), was to have a fun garden that looked pleasing to me, and if I also got some fresh produce from it, that would be a bonus. So far, I've met that goal, and so I'm happy. Except when I have to mulch my paths. Or pick my lima beans.
And now, I'm adding to my project by starting this blog. I'm hoping that it might be of some help to other gardeners in this area (at least to know what not to do), and maybe an inspiration to some folks to start gardening. And, if I'm truthful, I'm hoping that maybe other people out there who already know a lot more than I do will have some helpful comments - or at least some funny ones.
Happy gardening to all.
And turn down the heat, please. (But not too cold.)
