Organic Garden; Clean up that blight, pick some veggies

Today is the first day that I have seen a couple of monarch butterflies visit my flower gardens. It gives me hope for the future and I hope others continue to help the butterflies by planting flowers they love.

Now is the time to go around and cut off all those branches near the bottom or any place on your tomato plants that are showing blight.  Then they should be set for the rest of the summer as they should have set plenty of fruit. I was finally able to pick some green beans today! Slowly but surely the beans, pepper plants, beets, cucumbers, and collard greens are coming around. The Deer Stop spray has kept them out of the yard, and saved my garden and other plants too. 

I am excited to finally have 1 tomato ripen. It is only an orange sunrise but none the less it's a signal that there will be more to come soon. My eggplant looks great as well! Now the garden seems to be in full swing yielding many zucchini, pan squash, and a few cucumbers too. I love summer so much! 

Happy Gardening!

Organic Garden; Sometimes a set back

Today I was out in the garden surveying the damage one hungry deer made. And although I do not enjoy the fact that my beets, beans, peppers, and collard greens are eaten off, I realize that with gardening as with life you expect the unexpected. There is always something to learn, and this year I learned that a hungry deer can jump the outer fence and find my garden.

So the thought enters my mind, why do I garden? I don't have to, I want to, but with gardening there is so much more than just planting. It's a real connection with nature and soaking it all in even when completing tasks. Today I was tying up my tomato plants as they have grown higher, and while I am quietly working I hear the little wren yelling at me as I am too near his nesting box, a humming bird or two wiz by to check out the newly blooming bee balm, the chick-a-dee is telling me their name, a beautiful butterfly softly lands on a kohlrabi leaf, and the gentle wind is rustling the leaves on the trees ever so gently. These are the oh so meditative moments I soak in while I am outside. They are calm and soothing and good for the soul. It truly helps me center and recharge. 

So I will keep on gardening even if I encounter an uphill battle. I am interested in finding out if those plants can recover enough to produce this season. Time will tell! I will keep you posted.

Happy gardening!