Thursday, May 17, 2012

Mini Mini-gardening


That's it.  That's my vegetable garden.  For a guy who used to maintain close to a thousand square feet in vegetables, composting all the vegetable detritus produced on the place, picking, plucking, peeling, paring, canning-- well, you know, gardening, I've fallen into a sorry state. 

The little garden boasts four Better Boy, four Roma, four sweet bell peppers and four jalapenos.  The jalapenos are near the front door where I can conveniently pluck a pepper whenever the mood strikes.
I would be much more apologetic for this sorry agricultural display were it not for the fact that it took me all morning and a good bit of the afternoon to accomplish this much.  Imagine what real gardening might look like.  Why, the frost would settle on some of the seedlings, it would take so long to get the planting done.

However, when I note that  a single butternut squash in the grocery store can cost as much as a gallon of gas, I wonder.  If I am not growing my vegetables, just what the heck will I be able to afford to eat?  Oh, Friends, if getting old has its perks, it has its compensatory factors, too.  Or as someone notably said, It ain't all beer and skittles.

10 comments:

Shelly said...

I think container gardening is a smart way to go. In fact, I think we'll be going to that sooner rather than later.

Jim said...

You have way more garden there than I ever would want to tend.

Anonymous said...

My gardening days ended when I left my parents home - while I appreciate flowers and veggies I'd still rather have other folks do the work while I reap the benefits.

vanilla said...

Shelly, years ago, I had a next-door neighbor who was a container gardener. He used to call me a dirt farmer. I've finally come to his point of view!

Jim, aw, it's not so bad. Watering is a pleasant task on a hot summer evening.

Grace, I well understand. There will probably come a day when I'll have to give up on it.

Lin said...

We have one tomato plant, 2 pepper plants, and 2 herbs (cilantro and basil--that's it. It's all we really need. We used to plant a lot more, but it was too much work at the end of summer to deal with it all. I'm tired of all that work too.

Chuck said...

Growing old isn't for sissies. So I've been told, and so I believe. Nevertheless, we are expanding the garden this year. We'll also be setting out asparagus and rhubarb. Yum!

Pearl said...

As long as there are tomatoes, yer still farmin'.

:-)

Pearl

vanilla said...

Lin, the very makings for your pasta sauce. Mmmm. nom, nom.

Chuck, and so it is. More power to you on the expanded garden endeavor!

Pearl, can't deny facts, Ma'am. I surely do enjoy those juicy tomatoes.

Sharkbytes said...

My dad always had a huge garden. They are only cost effective if you can beat the critters to the goodies.

vanilla said...

Shark, the competition from the critters does make gardening a challenge.