Admitting Defeat

This morning when I woke up, the sun was actually shining. I put the dogs out on their lead, and looked over at the decrepit veggie garden. I had to admit defeat and finally clean it out, because I just can't take it anymore.

Most of what was left was grass that had grown in once I gave up trying to grow stuff in it after the raccoons ate everything. There were a couple of little green onions that never amounted to anything, probably having been overwhelmed by everything else. I was hoping they would have grown into proper onions by now. And there were a couple of little wannabe melons. One had definitely been a musk melon (or cantaloupe, depending on where you live). I had unfortunately missed it, so I don't know how it would have tasted, though it was the size of a tennis ball.

I also have a couple of small watermelons, also the size of a tennis ball. One is turning a little yellowish, which means it is past its prime. But a couple more just fell off the vine, so maybe they will have a slightly tasty treat for me? I'll take them to work with me this week.

I also cleaned out the tomato pots. Tomatoes this year were a total joke. It really didn't seem to ever get quite hot enough for them to grow as profusely as they usually do. And I hardly got anything from the ones that I started from seed, vs. the ones I bought as plants from the nurseries.

So, I came to some very important conclusions today during the cleaning process.

Rule #1 -- Better to just start everything from plant that is purchased at a nursery, with the exception of peas (because I've never been able to get the plants to grow as well as the seeds), and beans (because beans are too easy).

Rule #2 -- Melons are probably okay, but need to be started much more in advance. I forget when I finally got around to them, but I know they were on clearance, so maybe it was July?

Rule #3-- MUST research ways to keep those damn raccoons away, because I was so stoked to have corn growing, but those bastards literally ate every one of them.

Rule #4 -- Must also find a way to have enough time and money to spend time working in my own yard, and to not feel the need to stay inside to write my heart out for money when I'm not out working my fingers to the bone for others.

I'm sure there were a few more rules, but I'll think of them later. ;-)

Late raspberries

So, this morning I was on my way to the garage to go to work, when I paused by the trash can to deposit some trash. Next to the trash bin is a pot with one of my many raspberry bushes. And there are actually raspberries on it! Granted, they weren't ripe, but a couple of them looked like they could ripen within the week, if the weather cooperated. The problem is, this is Upstate NY, and we are notorious for crappy weather. Apparently Ithaca got dumped on last night, and the storm barely missed Rochester.

However, it was still nice to see some signs of life as the weather gets colder. I'm also enjoying numerous rose blooms at the moment. Perhaps I may eventually get around to uploading more pictures? :-)