My Very First 😃🙂😏😑😕☹️😩…
My grandparents were gardeners. My parents were gardeners. It was only destiny that I was meant to be a gardener too. Right?!!
I’ve heard the stories about the work it takes to keep up a garden. I had even heard the horror stories about the pests and plant diseases you may have to combat.
But little ole’ beginner me didn’t think I would have to worry about any of that with my small starter garden and plethora of essential oils and natural remedies. Hahaha yeah, so I thought 😌.
For the first few months everything was going well, growing fresh and brightly and not a sign of any plant dangers. That was until my kiddos spotted a rabbit. Then the next day a friend of the rabbits (I guess word spreads quickly in the woods 😒).
Our little white picket fence was merely for looks as I knew any animal could get around it to feast on our feasting. So I did what any beginner gardener would do…try to scare the Hop out of those rabbits. Did it work? Of course it didn’t.
This is the response they gave me…
There will be no harvesting of broccoli for your family.
REALITY CHECK
Instead of me scaring the hop out of them they hopped right on my hopes and dreams 😢.
It was unreal. Each day I noticed the broccoli and lettuce plants getting smaller and smaller. Then my kids started checking on them more and reporting
Mama, we see more holes from the rabbits. Thanks for feeding our pets.
😠😠😠
Yes, my kids were secretly happy about us feeding the whole forest. My eldest daughter has always wanted a pet rabbit. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was the one that told them where our garden was 🤔.
Pausing this post to go ask………………………well she claims she didn’t 🤨😂🤭.
After seeing my hard work being shred to pieces I begin to realize I had my work cut out for me.
Me being the strong trooper that I am of course I didn’t give up. I kept going and taking care of the plants I had left.
Between the rabbits and the pesty worms my lettuce and broccoli supply were dwindling. To add to the trauma in my life I started noticing a white powdery substance that was resting on the leaves of our broccoli and cabbage. Eventually I found out it was a plant mildew, one of the problems I had wished to avoid.
REALITY CHECK
At this point I was feeling defeated and wanting to give up.
It took awhile for me to heal our plants but I’m so glad I kept fighting. With a solution I sprayed once daily on the plants, which included neem oil, they begin to thrive and flourish again. I realized I had to stop waiting till night time to water my plants because they were getting way too much moisture which caused the mildew to form.
These reality checks humbled me. As they taught me my kids also got to watch and learn as they witnessed me go through a roller coaster full of emotional pain and disappointment. The end result was that they saw I didn’t give up even when I wanted to.
These first reality checks of being a gardener will forever be the foundation of my never ever thinking again that these things won’t happen in my garden based on the supplies and tools I have.
The takeaway for me was to never say never but instead be prepared for whatever 😄.
Thanks to @buckaroobaby for inviting me to join this new launch of The Creative Garden Writing Challenge. I think maybe @kattycrochet might have a story or two dealing with her beautiful rose garden.
All photos are my own. No animals (can’t say the same for the plants) were hurt or tortured during the duration of my gardening journey 🤣.
I remember that rabbit. <3
I love this stuff. Not so much gardening, just real. Recipes, for example, for the amount of recipes on the block, there's not nearly enough disasters.
Hello.
Hey there! It’s great to see you. Thanks so much for stopping by to read and leave a word.
Yes, those rabbits had me so darn tired and stressed. 😅
Oh, I have a feeling as I take up gardening again soon that I'll have plenty more disasters to reveal. 😉
Stay tuned ~ 👋🏽
You sound like my mirror.
Of course, sorry I don't stop by more often. Your content is always refreshing. Even when it's seasonal.
😂😂😂 Love it!
No apologies at all. I haven’t done so well visiting my favorite authors so I too could come by more. 😉
I appreciate your kind and hilarious remarks ~ ☺️
It was unreal. Each day I noticed the broccoli and lettuce plants getting smaller and smaller. Then my kids started checking on them more and reporting
That was funny when i was reading this. Like kids can be so funny.
then
The plants have right too.. 🤣🤣🤣 those rabbit need to be careful. I love those punchline
Kids are truly the funniest human beings on the planet. 😆🤣
I was so frustrated but tickled pink at the same time by their comments and secret love for those thieving rabbits. 🥹😅
Thanks so much for reading. I’m glad you enjoyed the punchlines ~ 😃☺️
🤗🤗😊 You're welcome ma. Have a great time
Sorry for the invasion of these pests spoiling the crops. Actually it's one of the obstacles of gardening if you don't take care you would always give up. I am happy that you didn't give up. My pleasure 😂
Thanks. Yea it was quite a tough learning experience. I was determined not to give up so easily. It helped that I was kind of in competition with the rabbits and wanted to show my kids I could win 🤭.
Appreciate the visit and comment ~
Oh dear! Rabbits make me hopping mad! And then a cute baby one hops past the back door and nibbles on oregano and I'm like... Awwww! So cute!!!... Before I scream at him. Jamie calls those ones self seasoning 🤣🤣
I'm so impressed you didn't give up. One theme that comes up constantly in this community is RESILIENCE. People have disasters all the time, but it's the successes that keep them going , the joy of nature, the hands in the dirt, the food on the table.
Can't WAIT to see your garden updates here. Xx And thanks so much for joining in this flash challenge!
🤣🤣🤣 self seasoning!!! Oh my gosh hilarious! I can imagine you admiring those cute baby ones before yelling at them 😆!!
I love this. It helps sink in the reality that just because gardening is in my bloodline doesn’t mean I won’t run into problems 🤣🤣.
It’s always a pleasure. I am truly grateful for this gardening space because it’s so motivating and reminds me what I’m trying to do for my family is all worth it. I love connecting with other plant lovers here ~ 😉
Thanks for this challenge! 💚
Hi @crosheille, the experience with your garden may not have been the best, the important thing was that you didn't give up; my mom has a small vegetable garden and she always has to deal with pests, the bachacos are the ones that visit her plants the most and they have the ability to bite and eat an average size tree in one night. Surely later on you will be able to harvest your vegetables by applying techniques against the invading rabbits.
Greetings!
Thanks @belkyscabrera. I do feel very fortunate that I was still able to harvest a few things that year. I think using what we learned from that garden we will be able to have a better outcome next round.
And wow about those bachacos. Sounds like very tough pests that no one would want to deal with.
Hello crosheille, if the plants require a lot of care, we have to be attentive to their development, my grandfather used to say that plants are like children that we must take care of, regards.
Yes very true. I remember having that thought as if I was taking care of more children when gardening.
Thanks for the comment ~
Yes, it is a challenge.
This reminds me of the time I was on the phone with one of my daughters, braggins about how great my garden was doing as I walked to the door to go admire it some more. When I got out there, I saw two groundhogs high tailing it outta there, having left nothing but leafless stalks in the entire veggie patch. The horror! I put a four foot fence around it, and was amazed that everything came back up. Just as stuff started to look good again, the deer hopped right over the fence, and did it to my veggie patch again - nothing but leafless stalks. I put up a higher fence and somehow, miraculously, did manage to harvest quite a few tomatoes after all. Everything else was a disaster, but my lesson was learned - a garden is only as good as the fence around it.
Nice post.
Oh my goodness no way 😳! The fact that it happened is horrific but then for you to have seen the culprits makes it even more devastating. 😧
It most certainly is a challenge. So glad you were still able to harvest some tomatoes during that time.
I’m taking this one with me to always remember and keep in mind. I had no business trying to have a garden without the proper fencing to keep unwanted animals out.
Thanks for sharing this story and adding your valuable input on this ~
The beginning phases can be very defeating but it's a good thing you didn't give up.
It's either rabbits are great hoppers or your fence wasn't high enough, but eitherway, some hope was hopped on😅
I totally!LUV the way you write. It has so much emotions and liveliness attached to it✨
@crosheille, @wongi(1/1) sent you LUV. | tools | discord | community |
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I surely learned a hard lesson about the beginning phases but so glad I didn’t give up.
Hahaha it definitely was due to improper fencing 😅. I was so focused on the looks of my first garden instead of making the safety of it my priority. 🤦🏽♀️
Thanks so much for your sweet compliments. I’m truly happy you love the way I write. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing the LUV ~ 😊
It happens 😅. Sometimes we focus more on the exteriors.
It's indeed my pleasure. Have an amazing day ❣️
Hey there!
Im afraid I would act as your daughter, give the broccoli to the rabbits!
Are you sure those are rabbits? Holes reminds of aphids and they love anything green and juicy
(me not defending bunnies 🫠)
However, I'm glad someone finally spoke about 'dark' side of the gardening as most of the people think you just have to plant, water and harvest. 😂
😳🫢😲 You would?!! 😅😂🤣
Well I appreciate your honesty.
Hmmmm, are you sure you’re not defending those bunnies? 🧐🤨😏😁
You’re absolutely right about the aphids. They had their share too but most parts were definitely nibbled off by those secret pets lol.
Hahaha yes, it was a pleasure talking about the other side of gardening. If anything I hope people takeaway that it doesn’t matter what family you’re born into and how great of a history of gardening they had. Everyone will from time to time face a challenge and have to overcome struggles from the ground world. 😆
I enjoyed your comment. Thanks for the interaction and taking the time to read ~
I will always defend any bunny on this world ever!
Love them, can't help myself 🤗
Perhaps I've got one, was checking on cabbage today and some suspicious bites are found 😏
No matter how much stress you gain in those situations, picking and tasting your own grown fruits is priceless!
Pleasure was mine, I love to laugh!
Awww I love it! My daughter is the exact same way. She’ll defend any animal she sees. 🥰💓
I concur!! 😍😉
I am also a gardener, especially young plants such as chili plants, it is at times like these that I have to rack my brains to find a suitable medicine to eradicate pests.
I'm sure we'll be doing a lot of racking our brains once we start this new project. Sometimes it takes a few rounds of trial and error to get it right.
Hi @crosheille I am more happy that you didn't give up despite the outcome of your gardening initially. Getting Ur kids involved in the experience is another amazing thing you did. Starting up something for the first time is not always smooth but with time, you will adapt to the whole processes . The reality checks was a nice move, you learnt in the process and found way to heal your plant ...this is beautiful
I will be looking forward to your gardening venture soon
Stay awesome 😎👍
Thank you @nkemakonam89. I love involving our kids and teaching them these things. It prepares them to survive.
I really appreciate that. I’m looking forward to sharing about it here soon ~ 😊😉