Comments on: My Name is Julie Summerell. You Killed My Garden. Prepare to Die.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:39:01 +0000

Michelle nailed it. I have three 8×4 raised beds, as well as three stacked potato boxes and a livestock feeder that beans are slowly growing up out of, and they are in the front (well, side, actually) yard. I have to walk by them any time I go out to go anywhere, and then again when I come home, and I never can pass by without stopping to see what is going on, maybe yank out a weed or two, or scowl at whatever looks amiss. Yesterday afternoon I was out there raking up willow tree refuse from the big winds we had a couple days in a row (what a mess!), and the sumac tree in the corner of the yard is blooming. I stood underneath it and listened to the low hum of just a ton of bees doing their thing amidst the blossoms. I LOVED it. That’s the kind of thing I like about the whole experience of growing stuff. I supposed I’d care more about the yield if/when my ability to feed the family is relying on it, but for now I am content to just experiment and learn. I enjoy it.

By: Michelle Stephens

Michelle Stephens — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:24:41 +0000

Gardening brings out the hippie in me. Your post reminds me of a big reason I garden: connecting with the earth. Flowers, no flowers, fruit, no fruit – it doesn’t matter. When you put your hands in the earth it has a profound effect, if you let it.

My 8×4 raised bed is all the space my backyard can afford for a garden (the rest is doggie territory), but it’s enough. Right now my Dahlias are all dying out from the heat, but I still pull the weeds, I still trim what needs trimmed. Even in death, I can respect the plants and the small bit of land that gave them life.

Good on ya, Julie.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:11:07 +0000

Ok, that made me laugh out loud.

That’ll be the day.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:58:39 +0000

I’m pretty sure “nightshade” is the name of the main character in Julie’s Paranormal Gratuitous Sexual Romance novel she’s working on, >i>The Blood-Covered Heaving Bosom of the Undead Temptress.

By: padfoot1

padfoot1 — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:58:57 +0000

Wow go Julie! Now I must go look up nightshade as I do not know what that is, although the name is familiar.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:59:25 +0000

Gosh folks. Thanks.

I’m tired.

@Naomi- I looked up the scuffle hoe. It’s very cool. I will be keeping it in mind. Thanks!

By: Ron Earl Phillips

Ron Earl Phillips — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:57:50 +0000

I’ve got a tomato growing. It’s the size of my thumb. Next year, I may be more proactive and set up a proper area for the garden.

But I want to plant plenty of squash and zucchini, along with peppers and tomatoes.

By: Laura K Curtis

Laura K Curtis — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:49:00 +0000

Woohoo! I so feel you. The strawberries, the raspberries, the tomatoes, the peppers…I planted all of them this year. My first attempt at edibles in years, and they were all dying. We got our rain night before last, and yesterday our tomatoes looked almost ok. More rain last night, and today the tomatoes are downright perky.

I hope your back continues to feel good. Perhaps the muscles will cooperate and not punish you too much for having the guts to do what you wanted to do.

By: Naomi Johnson

Naomi Johnson — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:11:28 +0000

I’m a fair weather gardener. Once the temps cross the 80 degree mark, I pretty much give up until autumn. But I recommend one tool for you, if your back permits the use: a scuffle hoe. It takes the weeds off at ground level. Yes, some will come back and you must hoe regularly but it’s much faster than pulling. Also, you don’t have to wait for rain to assist you.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:50:43 +0000

Good for you.

I feel you on the apathy. I was just chastising myself for that very thing yesterday.

Our issue is that we’ve had rain and I have beautiful plants. No fruit. No veggies. Nothing is actually growing on those beautiful plants. Oh they flower but nothing comes of it. We have no bees here anymore. I’ve actually only seen 4 since April. No pollinators. I’ve tried self-pollinating them with a small paintbrush but I don’t think it did any good. I’ve had a fair amount of tomatoes, but ZERO zuchini or squash and I’ve only found 1 cucumber. Nothing is happening with the gourds or the pumpkins either. Just plants.

Between the zero bees, the devastated Gulf, and all the polluted water tables around here…well, it’s enough to make you give up. or in.

I applaud that you got your things to grow. And that you aren’t giving up. You go girl. I’m looking forward to seeing how your late beans do. I’ll be wishing you more rain…just softer rain.