Sure Fire Garden Success for the Non-Green Thumber
Prickly Beginning
I have never been successful at growing anything. When I was young, I decided I wanted a plant. My Mom bought me a 3” cactus in a little pot (a premonition that I would one day live in the desert). Within a short time, I had managed to poke the life out of my prickly plant.
Urban Garden Effort
Before we moved to the country, I decided to grow cauliflower. We went to the local nursery, got specific instructions and set out with great expectations. Within a few days, a small cauliflower head had appeared. Everyday I would tend it and smile at my success.
Then, one morning, while checking on my little plant, I was shocked to see it was completely gone. Upon further investigation, it was clear that a javelina had gotten into the backyard and devoured my success.
With my confidence dragging behind me, I accepted my defeat ...I would need to recoup and rethink my strategy for next time.
Country Time
After moving to the country, we first wanted to start raising our own meat. But, by second summer, it was time for a garden. I couldn’t afford failure this time knowing that my son, Bryson, had a great interest in plants. I had no desire to share my frustration as I didn't want to see the hopefulness vanish from his big blue eyes.
Asking the Expert
Then one day it hit me. It was so obvious. How could I have missed it before? I gathered the kids and reminded them that we can plant and sow but only God can make things grow. We needed to pray for our garden and that is just what we did.
Throughout the season, we had plants growing all over the place. Squash, tomatoes, basil, mint, strawberries, watermelon, cantelope, and pumpkins. Our garden was small as I wanted to take baby steps. But, it wasn't without its problems. We had to deal with pocket gophers coming up under the ground, deer jumping over the fence, and our own poultry getting in the garden area.
At the end of the season we were, and still are, very thankful to God. He made things grow and taught us plenty about gardening. We plan to grow bigger and bigger gardens each year but it will not be without prayer.
Shelly
Harvest Time 2007
Partners
Resources
www.greenhomebuilding.com/adobe.htm
www.earthbagbuilding.com/articles.htm
www.earthbagplans.wordpress.com
We moved from the city to the country in 2005. Since then, we have been building structures, raising livestock and growing some of our own foods. We are crazy about family, nutrition and want the best for our growing family.
