Every year, I say I'm done trying to grow vegetables, then I do it again anyway. For various reasons, I like being able to feed myself from my own gardens. I like the process of watching food grow. I like seeing the science and magic come together.
I think people sometimes get the impression that everything in my gardens is perfect and idyllic. I assure you, it is not. (As you can see from the photo below) The south yard, which houses the vegetable garden and the wood shop, and is Hank's primary play space, is generally a disaster area. Once upon a time, I'd have heard the ghosts of parental voices shaming me for the mess and been driven by guilt to keep the space perfect. Fortunately for me, I escaped that fairytale version of life quite some time ago.I do my best, ask for help when I need it, and pay for help when I can afford it if I cannot do something on my own. I move along as I please. Sometimes, projects get started and then have to wait. Last year we planned to finally build a greenhouse and began the work by setting in a foundation. That took a little longer than anticipated, and by the time the foundation was done, material costs had doubled and were beyond my budget. At last check, the costs had tripled due to corporate greed. I would not pay them even if I could. Before the Wheel turns to Autumn, I will figure out an alternative greenhouse plan. In the meanwhile, there is a big hole covered with a tarp, stacked up wood, and cinder blocks to contend with.