Gardening Report September 23, 2022

Much to our surprise and delight, this year’s crop turned out much better than anticipated.

The gopher problem suddenly abated in the middle of summer, whether due to traps / sonic stakes / predators we don’t know and scarcely care.

The harvest was okay, not great but far from our worst.  A fair number of tomatoes, several eggplants, plus basil, spinach, and Korean melons as well as various herbs.

We originally planned to dig up the entire 10x20 plot this November and lay in a 3ft deep chicken wire basket to make sure the pesky little rodents couldn’t dig under and up again, but since they appear to be gone we’re going to put that onerous task off and hope for the best.

The tomato plants have been uprooted and mulched, Soon-ok is turning over the ground vegetation and by the time you read this we will have spread a layer of chicken manure to help restore the soil for our fall / winter crops.

After trying the drip irrigation system for two years we’re going to add some burblers for next year, perhaps even for the winter crops.

While we certainly enjoy our crops, the real benefit from the garden seems to be more spiritual / psychological.

We get out of the house, we meet and socialize with the other gardeners, we get some sunlight and exercise, we feel like we’re communing with nature to some degree.

On a per dollar basis, we could doubtlessly buy food cheaper at the supermarket (even at Whole Foods prices).  But what we grow is so much tastier than what can be bought at a store (and that in and of itself is a big morale booster), the psychological benefit is more than worth it.

I hated gardening when I was a kid, but I really enjoy it now.

© Buzz Dixon