Yesterday is being written off in terms of fitness and diet. I still got 104g of protein, but it wasn’t balanced or well-spaced, and I ended the day a little frustrated. So yesterday? Failure. Today? Success. I can feel it.
So rather than focus on food and fitness, let’s step outdoors. This was my first year with a garden, so I planted a little of everything to see what does and doesn’t work.
Failures
- Corn. I got two ears total out of a fairly large patch.
- Beets. But I knew they wouldn’t grow around here. It was just wishful thinking…
- Bell peppers. This was an unexpected failure, as banana peppers grow like weeds around here.
- Zucchini. The plants grow, blossom, then the leaves turn white and and the plants die off. A few surviving leaves in the center start the process again. Which, if you’ll note, stops just short of “produces a zucchini.”
- Collard greens. Okay, they grow brilliantly, but even I, with a fairly strong stomach for bugs, am having issues with the caterpillars and all sorts of squishy creepy-crawlers that love munching on things in the cabbage family.
I do not approve of hanky-panky on my collards greens.
Successes
- Okra. I love okra.
- Beans. Green beans and pole beans took off.
- Tomatoes. I can pick at least two cups’ worth of cherry tomatoes per day.
- Turnips. I have a freezer full of turnips, and I thinned out my second planting last night. They may not be my favorite vegetable, but they grow like crazy, and that means free greens and veggies.
Success OR Failure?
I cut my elbow with a knife while chopping basil. And didn’t realize it until I saw blood all over the floor. I can’t tell if that’s a epic failure at life, or if my clumsiness skills have reached a high point of success…
How did you cut your elbow? That’s some serious talent in the clutz department! {I can say this because I always manage to hurt myself in the strangest ways too…}
Are you planning on doing any fall or winter veggies?
You know, I really have no idea how it happened. I think it all began when I picked up a knife…clumsy people should know better than that. Safety scissors in the kitchen, only!
And I should definitely start thinking about some fall or winter crops! They’d be a good way to keep my source of fresh food going…
hahhaa I was wondering that too! xP And what an awesome time of gardening success! Sure there may be some failed veggies, but this is a big deal! And I would feel a bit funny about bugs being on the lettuce too–but I still might just eat it just cuz I eat anything, haha.
The beetles aren’t too bad–the cabbage worms make me a little squeamish, but, well, I AM still eating my collards after pushing them off with a long stick. It’s hard to keep me away from food, too.
I’m so jealous you have had success with tomatoes! All I can get to grow fast in my garden is cucumbers and basil :p
If it makes you feel better, I had cucumbers that were a complete flop too
I yanked them out and put in more beans instead…
I think cutting your ELBOW with a knife is a total score. It’s definitely awesome (in a really ridiculous way), and you should be proud! I one time burned my calf on an iron. No one could figure out how I managed to burn the back of my leg and leave a 4 inch scar. I was ironing on the carpet, and backed into the iron. I also ruined my favorite shirt ever because the blue carpet burned onto my shirt. Don’t iron on the carpet.
I will take your advice, and continue to not iron carpets. Or anything in my life. Just to be safe. Not, you know, related to personal laziness or anything
Success for the creepy crawlies having hanky panky on your plants
Cutting your elbow with a knife is quite impressive if you ask me!
Wow!! Your garden sounds like a success to me, what an awesome bunch of crops!
I have definitely gotten some great food out of it–and now next year, I know how to make it even better!
I think it’s awesome that you have a pain threshold that doesn’t allow you to notice cuts on your elbow until you see blood. Hopefully no vegetables were harmed in the blood letting ceremony.
That’s an insane vegetable haul. I can’t even imagine how much you’d have if the rest of the stuff took off.
I think I have the weirdest pain sensors ever. Cut my heel open (and I mean OPEN) once and didn’t feel anything–figured it out due to a similar trail-of-blood scenario. But then I get a papercut, a small bruise or rub off a slight layer of skin? I’ll be in pain for hours.
you were just so excited about the basil, right?
I just burnt my finger on a cookie sheet, excitedly taking a new cookie dough ball out of the oven… and now I have to go into a meeting and cannot write… with this finger…
(feel better?)
another success you had – shooting that bug photo! it is beautiful!
Oh my gosh, I WAS excited about that basil! I made some amazing almost-hummus dip with it that’s probably right up your (basil) alley–stay tuned
Cookie dough ball? Sounds worth a burnt finger or two…
I had the same problem with my zucchini’s too. It is called in Dutch: meeldauw. You can treat it with chemicals. You must treat it otherwise , the leaves will die & the fruit will be wrotten. It is an infection, disease that is spread with the wind & happens to go there when there is a lot of rain!
Happy Gardening & eating!
I also had failures you know. My radishes were all too small, my zucchini’s failed a lot ( 4 plants ) & my second row of salad leaves that I have grown didn’t do well at all. Count your successes, my friend & do enjoy your other bounty of hard work, labour & veggies!
Ohh, that’s so good to know! I figured it was a fungus, but I’ve actually had a really dry summer here so I didn’t know. Definitely enjoying the stuff that is growing, hope you’re feasting on your homegrown goods as well
I think your garden sounds pretty awesome! I have had a bunch of failures … (not sure about the potatoes yet, I’m kinda scared to dig them up!!) I am the ultimate clumsy-ish person in the kitchen. Like trying to balance a cutting board between 2 sinks cause I have no counter space left then wondering why I almost hacked my thumb off … yep. lol Afterwards I think now THAT was pretty stupid. Oh well – I say live and learn!
I love the focus on success.
Don’t feel bad – I cut myself all the time and have NO idea how. Same with bruises!
Success! You have yummy basil.
At least you had lots of success!!! And I’m really clumsy (be careful with those knives!!!) so I know what you mean!
“I do not approve of hanky-panky on my collard greens” is one of the best sentences ever
I don’t blame you for wanting to avoid whatever that is in the picture; I’d steer well clear. That’s very strange about your courgettes though; maybe it’s too hot there for them and they need a shady place? I only say that because they do well here and I think our summers are much cooler?
Result on the beans and tomatoes though.