One of these days I’m going to actually keep track of how much money I save with just a small garden. As I wrote earlier, my garden this year won’t win any prizes in a beauty contest. I moved here last fall and my new neighbor kindly tilled my little plot. The soil is wonderful with loads of worms. I spent a day planting seeds in the spring along with gorgeous tomato plants from the local greenhouse. I stood back and admired my handiwork…..and then the weeds came!
I happily hoed and pulled, determined to keep my little space beautiful and had visions of the fresh vegetables I would enjoy in the coming summer. Long story short, the weeds I did not get out grew as well as my vegetables, as time has been a huge issue this year. I knew a long time ago that most of what I planted would have to survive in a not-so-orderly plot. And, survive they have, right along side an invasive grass around here that I call “rat grass”, and a few other pesky weeds common to this area of the midwest.
So, garden tours are just me and my basket. Today in fact, my harvest yielded zucchini and yellow crook neck squash. They’re small, tender and perfect for stir-fry. And, pickling cucumbers. I think they have the best flavor and I can already smell the old fashioned sour pickles my grandmother used to make. I will dig that recipe out and share it with you. I’m also picking wonderful romaine, radishes that taste like radishes, spinach and a few red pear tomatoes from heirloom seed.
I suspect my little, weedy garden is saving me a ton on money this summer. My investment in seed is minimal compared to what I would pay in the produce section. I know my garden vegetables are chemical-free. I’m getting the most nutrition possible, because “shipping” is about l00 feet from my house. And, this is so important too….taste. Anyone who grows garden vegetables knows there is no comparison between fresh from the garden and fresh from the produce department.
Well, everyone has crop failure sometime. I haven’t seen any parsley come up. And a couple of hail storms took some toll on the peppers. Thankfully the anaheims will produce in abundance. The cilentro is pretty weedy, but for good salsa I will painstakingly separate the good stuff from everything else. I don’t normally plant beets, but my friend Lee said she would make pickled beets if I grew them. I’m happy to say we will have plenty of pickled beets to enjoy all winter long.
You could say gardening is kind of like having a pet (I have a kitty named Peaches). We have them because they bring us such pleasure. Gardening not only brings pleasure. Gardening is much more. A little backyard garden is healthy physically and mentally, provides the nourishment we can’t live without and is a great way to teach children about nature. Since I like to “play with food”, I grow certain seeds and herbs that become flavored vinegars and oils and other concoctions that make wonderful gifts for my grateful friends anytime.
Though my garden isn’t much to look at right now, I have made friends with the weeds, at least for the rest of the summer. Apparently so have the zinnias and calendula that grow happily among the enemy. When the time is right and the growing season comes to a close I will cover my plot with a thick layer of mulch that will prevent the weed problem next season. Truth is, I just didn’t take the time to do it this summer. But, I know that a garden just gets better year after year, so mine will be looking good in 2009.
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