For the first time in a long time, we spent a good part of the day today in the garden.
Truly, that poor garden of ours has been quite neglected for some time now with the exception of quick visits to harvest the dregs of summer.
Truth be told, the challenges of the garden got the best of me this year.
The late start, the endless weeds, the ravenous pests, the extreme learning curve…they all left me questioning how anyone could ever become self sufficient or even feed others from their land on a regular basis using organic methods, in the high desert.
But then my perspective would shift back and I’d remember that we are learning…and I’d feel grateful that there are grocery stores and Farmers Markets to supplement all of the things we cannot produce ourselves.
Whew! Because while I know I could stand to lose a few pounds, if I were to live off the garden this year, I’d surely wither away!
And so, while I’m grateful for the potatoes and corn, the tomatoes and peas, the basil and kale that have come out of the garden as a direct result of many, many sweat filled days, I’m also grateful for those who actually can produce enough for themselves and enough for us to purchase, because growing good, organic, wholesome food, is hard work and being able to share the bounty is such a gift!
So, I am also grateful for the Hatch chile, the butternut squash, the seed garlic, the milk, the sausage, the flour and a million other items that we cannot yet, or may never, produce on our own.
And while I’m ready to close out the season, amend the soil and put it all to bed for a few months, I’m excited about the remaining tomatoes, carrots, and basil that are still growing and begging us for just one more week…or maybe two or three…to give us their final gifts…as they close out their own season.
And so it is.
And so while we wait for the final harvests of summer veggies, I am continually grateful for the hope that lies in each season of the garden…for the (free!) seeds I pushed into the soil today that hold all of the potential in the world to bring us fresh greens throughout the cold months while I muster up the strength and hope to try my weary hands at another full on veggie garden next year.
Because, in gardening (as in many things), there is always another opportunity to get your hands dirty and be a rock star, even if just for a season at a time.
xoxo,
M
I think that most gardeners would nod their heads, as I did, while reading this post – some years are definitely much more difficult than others and there is such a huge learning curve, especially when you start a garden in a new home. Much too much to do and far too few hours in the day – I have been saying that since I started our current garden just over 4 years ago. But like Dave said, I could add a zero to that number as each year is a learning experience no matter how seasoned a gardener you are. And that wheelbarrow full of homegrown goodies – boy, what satisfaction you must have felt lugging that back to the house!
Margaret recently posted…Harvest Monday – October 12, 2015
Melissa, you had an amazing garden this year in spite of all the challenges including the move and all the wedding planning. Next year you can begin your garden on your terms. Amazing harvest photos.
Rachel @ Grow a Good Life recently posted…Weekly Harvest: October 12, 2015
Thank you, Rachel! I am definitely looking forward to next year’s garden beginning with seed starting in January again 🙂
Those are some lovely spuds hanging out there with the corn and other goodies. FWIW I’ve been gardening for almost 40 years now (where did the time go?) and I still have crop failures and weed attacks every year. And you ARE surely a rock star for growing your own food! Cue Queen’s We Are The Champions here. 🙂
Dave@OurHappyAcres recently posted…Harvest Monday October 12, 2015
Well, that’s some wonderful perspective you have there, Dave! 40 years is impressive! And now, truly, I can’t get that song out of my head 🙂
That’s a lovely and varied container of produce. I too am putting my gardens to bed for the winter and planning and looking forward to next spring’s planting.
Norma Chang recently posted…Harvest Monday, October 12, 2015 – Do Container’s Size & Shape Make a Difference?
It really is such a wonderful time of year, isn’t it! Love the tangible transitions of it all 🙂