Sowing seeds, letting them go
We spent a good part of the weekend resting and celebrating the arrival of spring, so I didn’t accomplish much in the garden over the past several days. Yesterday I did at least finish preparing one of the two raised veggie beds for planting. Then I planted a couple of tomato plants, a few pepper plants, and some marigolds, and I sowed cucumber and basil seeds.
A pear tomato plant that I picked up at Shoal Creek Nursery:
Not long after I finished sowing seeds, our Great Dane Sam dug out a Sam-sized sleeping spot in the freshly planted garden soil. He didn’t disturb the tomatoes, peppers, or marigolds, but I’m not planning to see any of the cucumber seeds sprout (unless it’s in the lawn next to the raised beds). Maybe some of the basil will make it, I’m not sure.
And this morning when I went out to check on the new transplants, I noticed that one of the chadwick cherry tomato plants that I grew from seed and then planted yesterday is gone. Simply gone–there’s just one lonely leaf lying on the ground in the tomato cage that I placed over the plant yesterday. *sigh*
Add to these unfortunate events that I feel it’s a struggle to find the time to work in the garden in the first place (mostly due to the obligations of feeding and caring for my beautiful 7-month-old boy)…
And I’m feeling really discouraged right now.
Maybe I just need to accept the losses and keep planting? It’s not like I expect every seedling to grow to maturity, or every tomato plant to produce fruit.
Or maybe I need to be a little less ambitious about gardening projects for the time being? After all, it’s easy to water potted plants on the front porch during naptime, and containers can be moved to dog-free locations.
Posted in edibles
March 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pm CDT
Oh my goodness. My pup Ruby not only finds places to lie down in the garden, she likes to take the initiative to do garden transplanting all by herself! I find plants sitting right next to the holes I planted them in. Sigh…
Argh! No doggie gardeners, please.
-Brianna
March 24th, 2008 at 8:07 pm CDT
Keep on planting, and keep the pictures coming! Surely Sam won’t eat all of your plants…
Thanks for reading; thanks for the encouragement.
-Bri
March 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm CDT
That is discouraging. But it sounds like your 7-month-old seedling is thriving, and that’s the most important thing.
You’re absolutely right, Pam.
-Brianna
March 24th, 2008 at 9:56 pm CDT
LOL about your dog - he was just trying to help, I’m sure! Love those great danes - you’ve got to post us a picture of him. With a 7-month-old I am amazed that you got anything in your garden - so pat yourself on the back and do what you can and let go of the rest. This may just be a lighter season for you, and that’s ok - babies don’t eat tomatoes, anyway!
Sam can be very “helpful”, but we love him anyway.
Our baby may not eat tomatoes yet, but I think the summer squash I have planned might be a possibility. We’ll have to see whether I can keep it safe from dogs and other dangers of backyard wildlife.
-Brianna
March 25th, 2008 at 11:05 am CDT
This year I’ve planted more in the ground. But having two cats and two dogs, they somehow always find a way to get into stuff. The cats can jump and climb, and my dogs are eating my tulip blooms! Just try to flow with it. That’s all the advice I can summon up!
Brenda
That’s good advice–accept what comes and what goes. Thanks, Brenda.
-Brianna
March 29th, 2008 at 7:48 pm CDT
When I had my first child I couldn’t even keep my houseplants alive. When he was 6, I graduated to one 4×8 bed. I don’t know how those pioneer women managed to rear children and help produce and prepare the food they depended on. No running to the grocery store for them!
Hi, Kathy, and thanks for the perspective. I look forward to meeting you at Spring Fling.
-Brianna
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm CDT
We have a Dane/Mastiff mix, so your post put a smile on my dial because Max (our monster) loves to lay in warm soil too. A few years ago we had squirrels that were intent on chomping on just about everything we planted! We used some hot pepper spray and it really helped.
A friend of mine has a recipe for pepper spray that she really likes–maybe I’ll give it a try. Thanks for visiting, Carrie.
-Brianna