How Does Your Garden Grow?
I think we’ve talked on here about real plants vs. silk plants, and I confessed at that time that I have an utterly black thumb. I routinely kill anything that grows in pots, and it’s some kind of miracle that the beautiful plant Carly, Janelle & Julie sent me as a housewarming gift is still thriving in my kitchen.
So, naturally, I, the plant-killer, have decided to plant a vegetable garden.
Maybe it’s not as crazy as it sounds.
I need a hobby. In recent years, I’ve found myself having room for only two things in my life: writing and family. There hasn’t been much else, and now, with the deadlines and the pressures of reinventing my writing career, the writing seems to be in my head 24 hours a day. Considering I’m writing about a brutal serial killer, that’s not necessarily a place I want to be all the time.
I have heard other writers talk about how desperately they need other “mindless” hobbies to just take them out of the writing world for a while. I know Sue Kearney, who guest blogged here not too long ago, does belly dancing and ice skating, which is fabulous! I, unfortunately, have enough belly for four dancers, and couldn’t stand up on ice skates even before the nerve damage in my right leg made it utterly impossible.
Read back a few months…I’m about the most uncoordinated person on the planet. Or at least on this blogsite.
So I started thinking of what else I could do–something that would get me outside, allow me to just shut down and focus on breathing fresh air, enjoying the quiet, doing something positive. Sharing some quiet time with Bruce. And I thought of gardening.
My mother always loved working in her yard. I can still see her wiling away an entire spring afternoon pulling weeds and planting geraniums. She found a lot of peace and solace in it, which is exactly what I’m looking for.
Ergo, Miss Black Thumb is going whole-hog into the gardening thing. I think I might like it–I always enjoyed the little bit of flower planting I did in Florida, before I realized that the sun basically fried any flower that dared to show its head after May 1. The weather here is much more conducive, I have a beautiful big yard and the perfect spot for a big garden. Produce has gotten so darn expensive and preservative-filled, and I am already salivating at the thought of pulling fresh tomatoes, spinach and peppers off the vine for summer salads.
There’s one more big problem: I have no idea how the hell to grow a garden. I’ve been searching online, I researched at Lowes, and had a ball with Bruce and the girls picking out all the veggies we’ll grow. We sat at the kitchen table and started a bunch of different plants–fresh herbs! Yum! But then as we actually read the directions on the packet, we realized, umh, we have about 2 dozen broccoli seedlings. They take up a good couple of feet each. Ditto the squash. And the melons? Don’t even get me started. I think when we figure out just how much space we actually have in the ground, we’re going to be growing green beans, lettuce, zucchini and broccoli on my kitchen counter. lol!
I’m picturing this:
But I’m afraid I’m actually going to get this:
Aside from just the general “we don’t know what we’re doing” there are other issues. We’re clueless about how to keep the animals out. We bought the earth-friendly sprinkles and sprays, and organic fertilizers and bug killer. But does any of that really work? I’m actually thinking of chicken-wiring the whole thing because we live on the edge of the woods where plenty of critters live. Of course, the deer can just bend right over…sigh.
So, I guess I had a twofold reason for posting this today. First: Help! What do you know about gardening? Any tips, advice, do’s or don’ts you can offer?
And second: if you’re a writer, do you have any hobbies intended solely to pull you out of your fictional world and into the real one every day?
Good luck, Leslie, with the gardening. It can be fun, but it can also be work. I don’t have one now, but growing up, we lived on 12 acres of land and a few years we had a huge garden, and no, we didn’t fence it off, yet the deer and bears and other animals stayed away, for the most part, and we grew some great veggies. I wish I had some advice, but I’m more of a spontaneous gardener, growing whatever and hoping it works, so I didn’t read up on any effective methods or study soil or any of that.
Looking forward to seeing the pictures of your garden
Comment by Stacy ~ — March 18, 2008 @ 6:20 am
I had a semi-commercial veg garden for a few years (supplied a restaurant I ran with lettuce, cukes, tomatoes, broccoli in season). If you will have a really big garden- yes, put chicken wire up (and down a bit). Even if you don’t, run the watering hoses before you sart becoming overgrown and set up watering zones where all you need to do is turn on the tap switch. And use lots and lots of mulch. Mulch (including soaked newspapers) isthe miracle garden tool.
Comment by G — March 18, 2008 @ 7:16 am
I grew up on a farm and have always had something growing somewhere. The last couple of years I haven’t done my garden but now heather wants to do some, so we will. Unfortunately I don’t have a ton of sunny space (lots of shade in the backyard) so we will be doing smaller areas and a lot of containers.
Peas and beans can grow up. Use that space to plant something around them. You don’t need to plant every seed at once. Stagger plantings of things so that you don’t have broccoli every night for months. If you are digging a new garden you can put chicken wire on the bottom of the hole, it helps keep some of the bigger animals from burrowing up. I also have it on top of my flower bulbs and they have no problem growing around it. A few wooded stakes in the ground and chicken wire stapled around it helps keep the animals out. Put the stakes out far enough so you can walk around inside and the deer won’t be able to reach over and eat everything- it will be out of their reach. There is bird netting to go over the top which helps too.
If you go the route of using raised gardens don’t make them too big- you won’t be able to reach the center. And G is right- mulch. Newspaper is good and you are recycling too! It helps keep the plants from drying out.
I don’t use pesticides or fertilizers. I tend to keep it natural. Unfortunately, on the farm we did and my father ended up with Parkinson’s. They have found a link to farmers/fertilizers and that disease. So I avoid almost all of it.
Marigolds around tomatoe plants help keep out some pest too. Don’t forget to stake them up. Peppers too.
Check on the Burpee website and also Paul James’ Gardening by the Yard (HGTV). They are both great sites. Check with you local cooperative. And if you can, buy plants locally rather than seeds if your growing season isn’t long. Tomatoes and peppers are the two I tend to buy that way.
And if you plant mint or any of that family- keep it in a seperate pot!! It will spread everywhere.
Have fun. It’s a great way to relax.
Comment by ev — March 18, 2008 @ 8:10 am
Wow Ev what great tips!
I’ve always wanted a vegetable garden of my own but don’t really have the space. I’ve thought about maybe doing some fresh herbs in a garden box outside my kitchen. We do have flowers out front but honestly they pretty much take care of themselves.
Leslie, hope your garden grows.
Hubby and I have been talking about buying bikes and maybe taking up bike riding as a hobby. We used to love to ride together as teens but I haven’t been on a bike….other than my exercise bike….in years and I’m wondering if I can still do it….but like you I’m just looking for something fun to do outdoors where hubby and I can relax and enjoy spending time together.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — March 18, 2008 @ 8:47 am
I feel your pain. I have a black thumb, too–with house planst mostly.
But I really want to start an herb garden this year. Maybe if you’re successful with your vegetable garden, I’ll give my herb garden a try.
As far as hobbies go, I really enjoy cooking and subscribe to quite a few gourmet magazines. It’s vry relaxing to me.
Comment by Jennifer Shirk — March 18, 2008 @ 8:56 am
If you are going to plant squash and melons, make sure they are not planted near each other. Both will spread out and can actually combine at some point(happened to my dad one year).
Invest in a couple of soaker hoses for your garden. They will save your garden if we have another really dry summer.
Comment by Liza — March 18, 2008 @ 9:02 am
Great blog today Leslie. I have been hounding my husband to make me a raised bed so I can plant some vegetables too. Like you I am not good with plants so I am hoping this will turn thigns around. It awesome for us “Gerdening for Dummies” to be able to read some of the tips and tricks you pros have. Thanks so much! And good luck Leslie.
Comment by Kelly F. — March 18, 2008 @ 9:22 am
I have a total black thumb….of course, middle boy is learning about seeds and plants and stuff and he brought home yesterday vegetables that he started in school and is so excited about growing a veggie garden (this is the part of kindergarten, I just can’t do…I failed it with my oldest and I will flunk it again!).
Comment by katie — March 18, 2008 @ 9:34 am
Oh, wow, Ev & G, such great advice! I had never even realized you’re supposed to mulch a vegetable garden! See how clueless I am?
And squash-melons. Umm…yum? lol!
Comment by Leslie — March 18, 2008 @ 10:23 am
We grew a veggie garden last year for the first time. Critters loved it. Tried the chicken wire only to have my 8 yo crying every morning ’cause birds were hanging by their necks in the wire and I’d be out there cutting them loose and offering them strawberries to forgive us. One thing I learned was that zucchini can grow no matter what the neglect but carrots require more work then they’re worth. Good luck
Comment by wendy roberts — March 18, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Well, you all already know that I know ZILCH about gardening of any sort, though I do love fresh fruit and vegetables. My grandmother on my father’s side who lived in Ohio had a huge garden with every kind of fruit and vegetable you could imagine — and I loved going out there and picking fresh fruits and vegetables for the day. Honestly, there is nothing like fresh, home grown produce — I just can’t do it myself!
I wish I did have a hobby other than writing and I often think about the hobbies I did have before I became a writer — especially cross-stitching. I loved to cross-stitch and I made some beautiful gifts doing that. But it’s very-time consuming and you have to COUNT the stitches, so it’s not a “mindless” kind of hobby. And I so desperately need something mindless!
Comment by Janelle — March 18, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
Leslie, no advice here from the home of the “black thumb of death,” but have fun! I’m sure you and your family will have a great time learning about vegetables and plants together! And it’s just too cool to be able to try things that you’ve had a hand in growing!
Comment by Fedora — March 18, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
I try to grow tomatoes every year, while fighting the birds, the moles and the caterpillars. Oy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’d really like a larger garden, with more veggies and even some herbs.
Maybe I’ll try this year.
Good luck, Leslie! I’m sure you’ll do fine. There’s nothing tastier than home grown veggies!
Comment by Jaci Burton — March 18, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Les, my mother does a garden every year and uses lots of heirloom varieties. It about worked her to death last year because of the draught, but we’re still enjoying fried cabbage, so it was definitely worth it. I haven’t tried having a garden yet, though I did put out a few herbs last year. This year I’m going to put out a few tomatoes and cucumbers. My hairdresser–who has the greenest thumb of anyone I know–told me last week that he grows all of his grape tomatoes and cucumbers in extra-large hanging baskets and that they do beautifully. I’m going to give that a shot. Good luck!
Comment by Rhonda Nelson — March 18, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
I did herbs a few years ago…mint, basil, parsley. The basil was the best. The mint was okay. The parsley tasted horrible. Oh, and chives, which had no flavor at all. I used plants to start this. Maybe I need to start with seeds.
Otherwise, I can’t grow anything. I tend to forget to do things like, you know, water them.
Of course, living in Florida, we do have a lot of citrus and fruit trees just hanging around. My lemons are fabulous and we don’t do a thing. Okay, that’s not true. I don’t do a thing. I’m sure my husband does something.
Growing up, my grandmother on my mother’s side had figs, pecans and tangerines. We loved to go outside and pig out! She also cultivated snails in her herb garden. They were HUGE. She’d throw them in the pasta sauce. An Italian version of escargo!
Comment by Julie Leto — March 18, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
Good luck with the garden, Leslie! I would love to grow vegetables in my backyard but we don’t get enough direct sunlight - too many trees (two of which are apricot and I don’t have to do anything to them and the apricots are yummy) - in a spot conducive for growing. Plus we’ve got tons of pesky squirrels that would probably eat everything in sight.
Have fun learning and growing! I’m sure your vegetables are going to end up looking like that first picture.
Comment by Robin — March 18, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Leslie, gardening or “diggin’ in the dirt” as I call it is so satisfying. Don’t start to huge so it becomes a chore. Keep it small so it is fun, edible and oh so tasty! Two tomato plants will give you more tomatoes than you can imagine, 1 zucchini plant, a couple of pepper plants, even that will take up a lot of space. Herbs are kind of like weeds they will take over if you aren’t careful! I live in a duplex, the neighbor next door, many years ago, planted ivy & mint they are now all over in my tiny back yard. I planted oregano & rosemary there is a jungle out there!! The mint smells really good when you pull it out but it never goes away cause I don’t keep after it & I don’t spray pesticide because the neighbors I have now have a young child! Gardening is so fun if you let it be fun, there is something so great about planting, watching it grow and thrive! Great therapy & relaxation. For me any type of gardening has been a learn as you go experience, sometimes things thrive & sometimes they don’t make it!!!
Good luck & enjoy! 
Comment by Donna M — March 18, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
You can get tips on hgtv.com.
Comment by Jane — March 18, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
Leslie, you just do not want any hints from me! I have killed every living (and in good condition)
plant that ever came into this house!! My mother had the greenest thumbs, fingers and toes,
everything blossomed for her! I was given a “Good Luck Bamboo” plant a couple of years ago.
Poor plant is supposed to live forever, but not here, it has been dead for a year!!! Good luck
on your project. I will echo something said earlier: Start small!!
Pat Cochran
Comment by Patricia Cochran — March 18, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
Julie- she can have my snails!!
when I see them. ick!!
Your stuff may not have had any flavor, depending on your soil type. Acidic soil can affect the taste of some things. I know my chives are very tasty- I have been clipping some alreay and it’s snowing out again!!
friday is really the first day of spring???
Wendy- they also make a light weight plastic green type of fencing with very small holes in it that keeps the birds out.
Hanging containers work great for a bunch of things.
Comment by ev — March 18, 2008 @ 6:35 pm
One of my projects after my surgery is going to be planning what we are planting and where. I have a sunshine problem too, so everything ends up in the front or on the side of the house. Or at my neighbors!!
Comment by ev — March 18, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
Hi Leslie and other Jungle Friends…I am just checking in for the day…I am not much of a gardener and I kill just about anything that is green…so I have black thumbs as well…I commend people who can make a garden grow…good luck with your garden, make sure you include pics on the progress okay…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — March 18, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
Hi
Give gardening a go - just start off small, and keep it simple. Plant a veg you really like, and watch it grow - checking it every day. It is so easy - you will get hooked!
Comment by TopVeg — March 19, 2008 @ 5:32 am