It's no secret how sad I was to be leaving behind my gardens in Washington.
And as desperately hard as I try, I still think about them from time to time. So much work. So much patience. So much love.
And to be honest, I found myself to be quite down yesterday. Realizing I'd all but missed the blueberry harvest already here, as well as realizing that my local sources for gleaning pears, peaches, plums, apricots, and apples were gone, I found myself feeling quite somber.
I know that probably sounds stupid. But it's just the way I'm built – I love the bounty of summer and preserving it.
But long gone are my garden beds. And long gone is the free fruit of the Northwest I've been spoiled with for 26 years.
And that's just the way the cookie crumbled, Maynard.
So. For the time being.
I rounded up every container I had, filled it with compost from the yard, and lovingly scattered seeds.
See?
Tomatoes. Beans. Melons. Herbs. Eggplant. Squash. Cucumbers.
Will they grow? I have no idea. Will the containers be too small? Too hot? Notta clue. Is it the right time of year for such planting? Fuh-get-about-it.
But dangit, girlfriend wanted to plant some seeds.
It's warm here – really warm. And really humid. So I'm hoping they don't have any problems germinating. From the little research I've done, in our zone, it's still possible to plant a second harvest of summer veggies through August (I think…). At least the length of the growing season is an encouragement.
I moved the pots, and white-trash-looking buckets to a semi-sunny, semi-shady location on the property where I can easily keep an eye on them. I'm mostly worried about the heat of July and August, so this also gives me the ability to move them indoors if it gets too hot for them.
Oh, what I'd give to see a sweet little welcoming tomato plant saying hello to me. What I'd give to fill my (now empty) chest freezer with bags of frozen veggies for the winter months! How much I'd love to enjoy more salads from our own garden!
You've heard it said, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”? Well, through this situation, I've been telling myself “when God sees it fit to give you lemons, be grateful you have lemons”. So many blessings, much larger than a lost garden, surround and sustain us here and for that I am very thankful.
But I'd still love a zucchini.
I'm just sayin'.
Cary at Serenity Farms
I’m so glad to read that you made the trip safely!
Have you taken a look at Local Harvest to find what might be in your area? I find them to be invaluable! I believe the proper address is http://www.localharvest.org
And, I’m not sure how close these dear folks might be to you in Alabama, but you might check out this website: http://shepherdshillhomestead.com/
They do lots of intense gardening and are firmly committed to faith and family as well. Even if you are unable to visit with them in person, I’ll bet you could learn a bit about southern gardening at their site 😉
God bless you, and I’m sure you find some local produce soon!
I really enjoy your blog
Anonymous
It’s OK to feel what you feel. Big moves are challenging and bring up A LOT of emotions. I am praying for you. As a wife, mother and g-mother who has been led to move numerous times, I really understand how difficult this can be.
You will find your place and way, HE IS FAITHFUL!
A Blessed Life
Hey! I live in North Alabama. Girl- you just get out there and garden. You can still plant zuchinni. Our zuchinni and squash get attacked by squash bugs every year so I just replant – from seed for a second round. Last year my tomatoes got early blight so I just replanted a second round of them (not from seed). We have a looong growing season that allows for replanting/ succesion planting many veggies. I grow heat resistant lettuces in a semi-shady (morning sun only) raised bed for most of the summer. I know you miss your family – that’s got to so hard – but Welcome to Alabama!
Heather K
I love reading your blog and I’m glad your move went well, and wow…you’re gardening already! Way to go! If you have stores near you that have seedlings (or a nice neighbor), a tomato PLANT or two might help…I live in SC and have similar temps and 2 things we cannot plant from seed here right now are tomatoes and green peppers…they take too long. Everything else we can plant in succession…carrots, cukes, lettuce, spinach, squash, beans, etc. I hope ALL your seeds do well! One tip in the hot south is to make sure your pots either have soil that retains water, or bury the bottoms a few inches into the soil so the pots don’t dry out too quickly. Here, our red-clay soil retains water, so I’ll add some to the composted soil in the pots.
You’re an amazing woman (from what I’ve gathered from your postings) and I pray God will bless you and your family abundantly—and to overflowing!—in your new home. thank you for your blog…its very real and very inspiring.