It's hard to believe that summer is over and my students are back to school already! They have already showed up to look at how the Garden grew over the summer, and to sign up for Garden Club. I am thrilled to see their interest and enthusiasm.
Usually during the summer months I have an embarrassment of riches - so many fruits and vegetables. Thinking that this year I would have a plan for all things to come to ripeness when the students came back, I planted our tomatoes, peppers, melons and pumpkins all very late - just before the end of school. I won't do it again! Between odd unusually cool weather, followed by intense heat, my plants did not grow and produce the way I had thought - they were all smaller and are producing way less than if I had planted at the usual time. I know it had to do with weather as well as the planting time because the guavas and grapes that were ripe last year before school let out, this year are just now fully ripening.
If you are already a gardener, this is no surprise to you. But for folks who take food for granted, and begin a garden this can be a big shock - there are so many elements that can affect your production. From weather, to insects and birds, soil quality, watering practices, diseases, and the random raccoon or squirrel, it is a constant battle to manage a food garden. Roses are much easier.
Usually during the summer months I have an embarrassment of riches - so many fruits and vegetables. Thinking that this year I would have a plan for all things to come to ripeness when the students came back, I planted our tomatoes, peppers, melons and pumpkins all very late - just before the end of school. I won't do it again! Between odd unusually cool weather, followed by intense heat, my plants did not grow and produce the way I had thought - they were all smaller and are producing way less than if I had planted at the usual time. I know it had to do with weather as well as the planting time because the guavas and grapes that were ripe last year before school let out, this year are just now fully ripening.
If you are already a gardener, this is no surprise to you. But for folks who take food for granted, and begin a garden this can be a big shock - there are so many elements that can affect your production. From weather, to insects and birds, soil quality, watering practices, diseases, and the random raccoon or squirrel, it is a constant battle to manage a food garden. Roses are much easier.