It is always a crap shoot, when attempting to grow a garden, especially with all the abnormal things placed in the water and air, and I am not a green thumb gardener, by any stretch of the imagination. Though, I do come from a long line of victory home gardeners, wine grape growers, and my Mom and Dad had a family home garden when I was growing up, and continued the hobby with my own family, I still have so much to learn from growing seed to table.
This year had me expanding to new herbs and fruits that I personally had never grown before. I knew very little about my new additions, but they exceeded the herbs, fruits and vegies I had grown for years.
I have to say I am so grateful I planted a variety of tomatoes this year for the only producers were the small yellow pear and Sunkist orange cherry sized tomatoes.
My bush cucumbers were a smashing success as were my wintered over strawberry plants and Sweet Hungarian Peppers, which all grew back and produced in abundance this spring and early summer to the point, my entire family had their fair share of all three (3).
My two (2) year old plum tree gave me thirty-five (35) tangy, juicy plums to harvest, leaving extra twelve (12) for the wild birds.
My one new addition in there third (3rd) year of growth were my three (3) thornless Blackberriy bushes. They were the highlight of my summer season thus far. Approximately six (6) lbs were picked, and oh so good fresh of vine. They never had a chance to make it to becoming preserves.
My two (2), third (3rd) year red flame grape vines brought in over forty (40) lbs of grapes and are waiting on my counter to become Grape jam.
My elderberry bush, yielded five (5) lbs, and God-allowing me the time, I will be turning them into elderberry jam, a tinture and a syrup. Also harvested in June, from the same plant was twelve (12) oz of Elderberry Flowers, now dried and ready to be added to a hot winter tea during the winter months. I had so many elderberries, there were plenty left over to feed wild birds, including the baby dove I had the blessing of nursing to flight, beginning May 5th, and releasing her on May 25th. She seems to be flying with her parents, full grown and free, but knows where food is plentiful, as she perches herself on our chimney in the late afternoons, and in the mornings, will sit on the fence by my garage, where I nursed her to maturity.
My wintered over, Spearmint, Apple Spearmint, and Peppermint made it through their 12th year.
My Kentucky Spearmint plants are holding their own with shade cloth as these last few weeks have seen temperatures of 111 to 119, which we normally never see even in August.
This year, I tried growing Sage and White Sage, Dandelion Greens, and my five (5) three (3) year old 4.5′ Laurel Bay Leaf Bushes are growing really well with shade cloth. Two (2) new bay leaf bushes are still in their nursery pots, and were really scorched by the sun hitting 115 degrees yesterday. I had to move.them on the patio. Hoping I will be able to nurse them back to health.
My eight (8) yr old dwarf lime and Meyer lemon trees are so far faring well in the heat, as well as my two, 6 yr old Kumquat trees and my 45 yr old Valencia orange tree, which is a gift in and of itself in December.
My 3 yr old nectarine tree took a beating in this heat and only produced six nectarines for the birds, and my 3 yr old Cara Cara Orange and Grapefruit trees are hanging in there but. We will see with those.
The 4 yr old Goju Berry Bush was doing really well until by beloved lawncare guys Assistant chopped it from four (4)’ to one (1)’.🥴 It’s supposed to grow more abundantly, but only when it is trimmed in cool early 70 degree spring climate, not in summer, when it’s over 100 degrees. So, I am praying.
Oh my blueberries nor my zuchini aredoing well, neither are my four (4) two (2) yr old Morinda Trees, I need to do more research on both the poor things.
One thing that amazes me is how well my basil, lavender, lemon balm, lemongrass oregano and rosemary plants wintered over for the last 15 yrs inspite of the heat, they look the healthiest.
My newest plants are the Jerusalem artichokes and Banana Tree. The Jerusaleum Artichoke is root vegetable, and the stalks look amazing. The banana tree leaves are huge this third (3rd) year. Both are growing well in the heat, but time will tell on how well they produce.
My roses and aloe plants are my favorite. Besides the beauty of all the different colors roses bring to our space, they also make great supplemental food for the chickens, while the aloe we use for medicinal purposes, and they both are ones hardy enough for me to not kill. LOL!
I do not know what it is, but the Peace that comes from being tending to a garden is a peace that calms my soul.
I often asked myself as I would harvest whatever was ready;
If all I had to use for food was what I grew, would I be able to sustain myself and my family?
Answer: Depends on the time of the year! 😉
Lesson Learned:
We cannot grow or do everything we need,we need one another to fill in the gaps.
by Deanna G. DeBondt
3:03am
July 10, 2024
Healing thru Song+ 