Challenging Year
- Subject: Challenging Year
- From: "Larry Newton" l*@attbi.com
- Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 22:48:49 -0500
- Resent-date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 20:46:45 -0700
- Resent-from: v*@eskimo.com
- Resent-message-id: <"Pj7Bp.0.cB7.aK2Uz"@mx1>
- Resent-sender: v*@eskimo.com
This year, I have a greater appreciation of farmers. This has been a very
challenging year for my veggie garden. First, the spring started out wet
and cool, the slugs were fierce, it got very hot and dry for a long time (I
went on vacation for 10 days during this time - no watering), and then it
has become very temperate.
My onions did not grow well (some went to seed very early, others didn't
grow), my bush beans were devoured by Japanese beetles, my pole beans didn't
produce and were devoured by Japanese beetles, my muskmelon didn't recover
from the drought/vacation. . . only my tomatoes did well.
I've cleaned up many of my beds early this year, not out of frustration
though. There wasn't a whole lot left of them.
I've learned some valuable lessons this year about veggie gardening. My
vacation will take place in the middle of June next year, so I can nurse my
garden through the difficult days of summer.
Anyone else have challenges like this?
Larry
Joliet, IL
Zone 5
