Day 105 - Let the Record Show

Let the record show...

I don't know what I'm doing.

Oh, you probably need more details, don’t you? The number of things that I’m clueless about is truly limitless, but today is specifically about gardening. But did that stop me from trying my hand at growing veggies again?

No, it sure did not.

I am going to add some pictures of me starting my seeds this weekend, but please do not comment if you notice that I did something wrong. Especially because you absolutely will notice that I did something wrong. I don’t know what that thing is; otherwise, I wouldn’t have done it, but I’m sure experienced gardeners will find something.

And I don’t wanna know what that something is. Last year, I grew more tomatoes and zucchini than I could possibly eat by myself with absolutely no planning or research. I just went for it. So I’m going with that method again this year, and if I spent $30 on supplies and seeds for what ends up being no yield and just a few days playing in the dirt and not looking at my phone, I’ll still call it a win.

Yeah, I'm not bragging about my accidental talent. I'm saying if this is a hobby that ends up not having any output, I'll add it to my ever-growing list.

Up first, all of my supplies to get started this year. You'll notice this photo is Insta-ready, mostly because it is before I got mud all over me and the bench, and broke the bucket I used to expand my starting organic material or whatever it is. There absolutely is not a picture of the end of this process.

Next up, you'll see a picture of the kale that is growing already this year despite having done nothing to foster it. I have strong feelings about this kale, and it's broccoli friend that has also started growing, because I was unsuccessful last summer at these. From what I can tell, two things went wrong last year, only one of them being my fault. First, cruciferous vegetables don't like heat, and yet I tried to coax them into growing in like, August. I told you, I did no research last year and just went for it. Have I learned my lesson? No. I think I'll still probably be reaching harvest time for the ones I started this weekend right around the summer solstice, so say a prayer for these poor vegetables.

The other thing that went wrong was not my fault, and I stand by that. The dirt we bought last year had some stupid little bugs in them that specifically like vegetables of the cruciferous nature. Harlequin bugs? I don't know. I'm not going to look them up now. Anyway, as quick as the broccoli grew, the bugs ate it. And about a month later, despite having their fill of all of my broccoli, they ate the sad kale that was coming in during the hottest part of the summer. The kale honestly never stood a chance.

But here it is this year, making a comeback. There is even a second little baby plant if you look closer. How dare it. Now I'll have to do something with it? Like add it to smoothies? Plus it's broccoli friend in the other planter. Just a single floret of broccoli that I can add to my dogs' dinner.

Lastly, before I finally let you all go, a bonus picture of the robins that have decided to call our awning home. Mama Robin was fast, building her nest before I even had a chance to figure out what was going on. Anyway, as I was putting seeds in dirt this weekend, she was trying to feed her babies! They hatched! She doesn't like Juniper, so she kept hanging out on the fence, waiting for Juniper to leave the area before she came over with her hard-fought worm. I think there were at least 3 little mouths in her nest. Shout-out Mama Robin. May you find a spot next year where my little chaos gremlins don't try to chase you whenever you leave your nest.

Ok, this ramble is over.

I don't know. Go touch grass or something.