Gardening for some folks is a nice hobby, but we try to make it a vital part of our little homestead. Growing what we can to put on the table. Some years we are so thankful its 2005 and not 1865. Now we have grocery stores to rely on when things go wrong.
This year we are now 10 inches behind on rainfall. The garden this summer did poorly. The little shoots coming up would burn up before they were up a day old in the hot sun.
There have been years that grasshoppers were more plentiful than blades of grass, well it seemed that way !
We contend with fire ants fighting us for territory. They hurt when they bite you believe me.
This year, the fall garden seems very promising. The plants are tall and strong. Last year we had things from the garden through the entire winter. A couple times there was snow on the big cabbage heads but they did fine. No matter how harsh the conditions, there is something almost spiritual about being up early in the morning and hoeing the rows while the birds around you sing and flutter from branch to branch. Bright bits of color darting from tree to tree. Or finding some amazing insect that has what seems like all the colors of the rainbow on its back. I love the way the slight breeze on a hot morning feels as good as any expensive gift. Or how satisfied you feel when you look over your shoulder and see a job well done on the neat rows behind you. Its even a great feeling to wipe the sweat off your brow and then go soak your head with the cool water from the garden hose and get back to work, a bit cooler but a bit soggy around the edges.
Due to the heat of the summer and the dry conditions, our grapes withered on the vine, the fruit trees had tiny fruit.
Not sure yet what kind of pecan and black walnut crops we can expect.
No matter what we harvest, it will be a blessing for us when we set it on the table. Just still very glad we didn't have to depend on our garden this year for all our food.
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