In the Garden

Once again, my gardening attempts have failed except for one hearty cucumber plant with a will like my own. (Actually planting the sprouts might have helped them, but I didn't get that far.) All forgotten, it refused to be bound within the confines of its prepackaged container. It sent out a root through the bottom and bore deeply into the ground below. Lack of water and scorching summer sun didn't prevent this little plant from growing into this lovely little piece of art. While its comrades dropped and died from exposure to the elements and lack of delicate attention, this one alone stood against all odds. It is flowering and may give us cucumbers yet if the cold doesn't set in before it matures.

Since my gardening attempts have all ended in abominable failures I've decided that I've been going about it all the wrong way. (Do I hear snickers?) So this morning, I thought aloud over my cup of coffee, what would happen if I put each of the willing children in charge of a plant next summer? Just one plant per child, as my delicate conscience can't take many more unintentional herbicides.

Tigger has already decided on a place he wants to begin cultivating to plant a watermelon seed next year. The others can choose what they will. We'll see where this idea takes us. My husband rolls his eyes, the older children laugh but the little ones and I have dreams... We aren't afraid to try and fail. Just one success is enough to keep our hopes alive! :-)

I do have one other success! We planted grape vines along each side of our arches a few years ago. They are now mature, tasty grapes this year, just enough for the birds and a few for the kids. We don't need forty acres, just a few little plants to stay alive long enough for the children to see first hand that our food comes from the ground and not from a truck.

How timely! Tink just called from Pike Nurseries and said she's purchasing some herbs to plant. At least she has a green thumb!