Smother Mother: Learning to Let a Garden do It's Thing

I am confident that, in the end, common sense and justice will prevail. I'm an optimist, brought up on the belief that if you wait to the end of the story, you get to see the good people live happily ever after. - Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens)

This is my first season as a real gardener.  Not the back-porch-bulk-peanut-butter-container gardener, but an actual yard-garden gardener.   What have I learned thus far?

  

1.  You can't re-use nasty soil from the cactus you managed to kill in order to sprout your seedlings.  There is such a think as damping off and it kills your plants.  Why risk it?

2.  Pumpkins grow wherever they darn well please

3.  There is a reason that certain plants should be planted out in April and others should be planted out in June.  In short, read the back of your seed packets.  

4.  Being a "smother mother" doesn't always yield the best results.  Ignoring your plants isn't a great idea either.

5.  Talking to your plants really works.  They like the attention. 

6.  Weeding is important and if you are out there talking to your plants anyway, you may as well make them more comfortable.

7. Watering is important too.  Generally your plants will tell you when they need water.  If the ground is dry it's a good hint.  Also if your plants are droopy and rather thirsty looking they probably want to be watered.  It's a good idea to schedule a water check into your day.  Unless it's raining, in which case you probably can forgo the watering and watch a movie instead.  

8.  Stay on top of harvesting.  Cucumbers and beans will go crazy if you don't snatch them as soon as they are ready to be eaten.  I've heard tomatoes are similar, though in my experience, I haven't had that problem yet.

9.  Learn the art of freezing, pickling or sharing.  Chances are, you will have too much food so why not save some for later or give some to a garden-less friend?

10.  Have fun! That's what gardening is all about, Charlie Brown.