So it shouldn't be a surprise that our vegetable garden has been a source of joy and frustration this year. Deer and grasshoppers have done their share of damage. So, too, has the excessive heat and drought.
We have learned not to expect too much out of the garden. Lowered expectations has been good. We now are happy with whatever we harvest, whether it's a lot or a little. With lower expectations, there is no pressure for the garden to produce as much. We are happy with whatever we harvest. So we never expected to fill our harvesting basket with beautiful produce, but we did!
Melons. They are sweet and juicy. We've already eaten several this year.
Tomatoes. We are surprised they are still producing in this heat, and haven't gone dormant. We were expecting tons of tomatoes; now we are just happy with what we get. Being heirlooms, our tomatoes are purple, yellow, and red. Unlike the white cucumbers, these do not surprise me.
And carrots! The deer had a great time chewing off the tops, so although they are not as big as we wanted, again, we are happy to get these.
What else is in the garden? Well, we have already harvested some corn. Unfortunately, the grasshoppers have eaten as much as we have.
But the potatoes are ready, and will be dug next week. Since we aren't expecting much, it will be fun to see what's under the ground, waiting for us!
I'm linking up with Daphne for Harvest Monday.
Oh, even in a drought, your garden is producing beautifully. We're having the opposite problem here, too much rain (I wish I could send you some, we could swap sunshine and rain and it would be perfect, wouldn't it?)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely, gardening is a source of joy and frustration at times. I loved reading your earlier posts about the white cucumbers (I would have left them to 'ripen' or something, too!) and the drought-stricken pond. I hope gentle rains soon fall on your lovely gardens.
Very true what you say about joys and frustrations, but your harvest still looks great!
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a harvest. I love love love fresh cantaloupes!
ReplyDeleteFlexible expectations more like it :)
ReplyDeleteThe joys of little surprises in the garden far outweighs the frustrations me thinks :)
That looks like a wonderful harvest! We grow very different things. I have papayas, mangoes and green veggies.
ReplyDeleteI think I am jealous of your melons. Mine look like little green rocks. The size of oh, a rock. A small little rock. LOL> Oh well. THere is always fall. :-D
ReplyDeleteSo true. Lower your expectations and be grateful for what develops. However, your harvest looks exceptional to me. I'm salivating over those melons.
ReplyDeleteKaren - I would love to swap you some sunshine (and heat!) for some of your rain! Too much rain is a bad problem to have - I can water (as long as the water holds out) but you can't go around blow-drying your plants!
ReplyDeleteAllison - Every seed holds so much promise. Then reality sets in. I'm happy the garden is still producing!
Tina - These have been wonderful to eat, too. A nice sweet change, as we don't grow many fruits.
Mark and Gaz - Flexible expectations! How accurate! Yes, if the joys didn't outweigh the frustrations, no one would garden!
One - Papayas and mangoes sound so exotic, yet so good! I wonder how different our green veggies are, too.
Barbie - I hope your little rocks grow up to be big, sweet, and succulent!
Grace - The melons have been the biggest surprise for us. We didn't expect much from them, and they are doing so well - they just won't quit! We will be planting more of these next year, for sure.
The crop which you have this year should fill you with great expectations for next.Mmm, give me some of that melon.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most beautiful tresors that you can have! Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteMonica
Your veggies are really pretty nice considering your drought conditions, and the deer and grasshoppers. Wow, the triple whammy. Because of rain then jumping into 80 degree weather, much here is unlikely to produce. It has been a strange year all over the world. Seems like our climate is shifting, most likely not, but it sure seems that way. It is like we moved yet went nowhere.
ReplyDeleteAlistair - I think that's the problem! The crop we had last year filled us with too much expectation this year! But we can't complain about the melons!
ReplyDeleteMonica - Thank you!
GWGT - Triple whammy, haha - yes. I'm afraid farmers all over are having a hard time this year. "We moved yet went nowhere" - I agree. "They" say we may become a desert. I sure will miss the trees.
I know how frustrating it can be. Having had my share of disappointing seasons, I know it can be frustrating. However, your photos of your harvest make my mouth water...yummy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful harvest. I'll consider any harvest with a melon good. We are cool enough up here that melons are a risk, but one that is worth taking if they produce.
ReplyDeleteYour melens look fab! I bet they're delicious. Its a great feeling eating your own home grown goods. Hope the potatoes are abundant.
ReplyDeleteSage Butterfly - This year has been frustrating mostly due to the weather, which is just part of gardening. We have no control over that. We've been surprised by the melons - they really are delicious!
ReplyDeleteDaphne - I've been amazed at the difference of the harvests around the country. Some people are just now eating lettuce; ours bolted months ago. It's almost time to start thinking about our fall garden!
Kelli - The melons are delicious! Home grown always tastes so much better. We don't have big expectations on the potatoes, but we'll eat whatever we get!
I don't know how people who really depend on their gardens manage. It would be so stressful not to know whether you were going to have enough beans (or whatever) to put up to last you through the winter! Like you, I'm learning to expect very little and then be happy with the outcome (with maybe just a teeny bit of grumbling). I'll join everyone else in oohing and aahing over those melons!
ReplyDeleteStacy - I agree. That would be wonderful, but a bit stressful. It has not been a good vegetable growing year for anyone, I think.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post. You're lucky you're able to harvest early in June. I don't think we'll have anything until August or September, that's just our climate. I hear you about pests and things that are unexpected in the garden, I was having problems. I'll be happy with our harvest and hope that next year will improve.
ReplyDeletePriscilla - I think improvement next year is a great goal to have - every year. I hope we improve next year, too!
ReplyDelete