Gardening Expertise

      For any of us that plant gardens it is definitely the time to get into action. I know some people may already be ahead and have it started, others wait a bit longer, and some rush into last minute planting, but no matter what there are certain, shall we say, rules that need to be followed IF we want yummy good results!!! So let's discuss that a bit.

     First and foremost, you have to have a desire to plant a garden! Right? The reason for your desire is not as important as the fact that you have to HAVE the desire. If you don't have that desire then you probably won't even make a start!

     Let's say you have the desire to plant, even just a small garden, so you can get some fresh vegies from your own effort and save a bit of money, not having to purchase them at the store. So you run to the store and buy seeds, or you dig out some old seeds you may have saved from last year or earlier. Now what? Well, the backyard is your garden area and so you just toss the seeds all over, right? Uh, well, it might work, but doubtful. So before you plant those seeds you need to clear off the space of all weeds and anything else and make sure the dirt is softened up and perhaps fertilized a bit. That early preparation can go a long ways to helping those seeds grow. Then you carefully plant the seeds according to instructions on the package and, preferably, in a planned way so you know what you planted where. Good, all done! Now just wait for those seeds to grow and get those yummy vegies to eat. Right?

     Well, maybe, but it could be very iffy, because you can't plan on it raining enough to give them sufficient water, so you are going to have to water them frequently. That's not too bad. You can handle that. So you make sure you water them regularly and soon all sorts of little green things start growing and you are ecstatic because there are more than you even planted! How did that happen? You check the garden outline that you wrote down and see there are green things growing all over, NOT just where you planted it. Hmmm! How can this be? Well, have you ever heard of weeds? Weeds love to grow ANYWHERE, but especially where they get watered consistently and you have been very very good to do that for sure.

     Okay, so what to do now? Well, you could just let it all grow, but I highly doubt you will enjoy much from the plants you planted IF the weeds stay with them. Yes, I am telling you that in a garden you have to get rid of the weeds. With a big sigh you head out and carefully pull what you KNOW are weeds because of where you planted things. Done! Fabulous! The garden looks great and you feel positive about your efforts.

     You come out the next morning or maybe a few mornings later to see how your lovely little seedling plants are doing and, WHAT? The weeds are back? No way! You pulled them ALL! You know you did! Well, yes, you did! You pulled the ones you were able to see, but weeds are very persistent little buggers! You can't just pull them once and expect to be done. Weeding requires vigilance and work every day, BUT if you do it each day it is quicker because you allow less to grow and they don't get big and take over your garden!

     The thing we have to remember with a garden is that it requires persistence especially after the planting. Each day you need to check for weeds and make sure the plants don't get too dry. Oh, and don't forget those nasty greedy bugs that you will have to keep your eyes open for. Those, too, need to be controlled or they will eat everything you planted. Seems they DO prefer your plants over weeds. And there are other animals to watch for as well: like your horse getting out and testing your plants or the neighbor's sheep doing the same or those rabbits that some ridiculous person turned loose.

     All in all, having a wonderful productive garden requires a lot of consistent work, but when you eat your own corn, taste that beautiful home grown watermelon or slice up those wonderful red tomatoes you've been anticipating, it will ALL be worth it. I promise!