Monday, August 31, 2015

Requiem for a garden

With the gradual loss of daylight minutes during August, the garden usually slows down, and we heed the signs that fall is approaching. This year has been a bit different than usual. It's been hot; we've had temperatures in the 90s for the past three days, and the forecast is for 90-95 for the entire prediction period through Sept. 9. To add insult to injury, we haven't had measurable rain for almost six weeks. The rain barrels are dry, we have watering restrictions, and I think it's time for me to accept that the garden is mostly a lost cause at this point.




The tomatoes look very sad and have given up the struggle. We've had to pull out all the dead zucchini plants (what kind of gardener can't grow zucchini?!), and the stunted cucumbers are small and bitter. Withered and dehydrated Napa cabbages and beans are just waiting to be pulled out. We'll leave the Brussels sprouts and see what they eventually do, and since the carrots and turnips are underground away from the parching heat, they are at least holding their own. We are still able to water two rows of late snow peas that we put in, in hopes that they may still grow and produce something.




I am thankful that I don't absolutely depend on the garden for my food for the winter. I'm also not battling huge wildfires, spurred on by drought, like many areas in the west. Put in that kind of perspective, my garden is just a bit sad, and certainly not a tragedy. I just wanted to say goodbye and hope that it fares better next year.

6 comments:

  1. Your garden certainly looks sad! We have a watering system with hoses and during the heat of summer we water daily, sometimes sparingly, but everything gets water during the week. If that were not the case we wouldn't be able to plant in the first place. I hope you have much better luck next year.

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  2. Some years are just really tough on the veggies. I pulled my little patch in early July this year. Our problem was the opposite of yours, though. Too cold and too much rain (at least . . . early on). Everything just . . . drowned. When it comes to gardening, though --- there's always NEXT year! XO

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  3. A garden can be heartbreaking, that's for sure. I go the CSA route now because I just can't take doing all that work and then having the weather screw it up.

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  4. I'm sorry for your loss ... and mine! vicarious gardening has been a bit of a disappointment this year. Thankful that you, Margene and Kym are all going to try again next year. I look forward to "our" harvest!

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  5. Poor garden. I hope next year will be much better!

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  6. Poor garden! I hope next year is much better.

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