How my garden does grow

Even with my recent weekend absence and my post-accident self absorption, my garden seems to be cruising along just fine without me. Of course the weedlings staged a bit of a free for all but I have since made them acquainted with my zero tolerance policy. 

The tomato plants I bought have continued their, ‘look at me’ campaign and have actually started to flower. They are beginning to act a bit ostentatious for my liking. Yes, we can all see how much bigger you are than all the plants I started from seed, no need to rub it in further by blossoming already. Although, tomato blossoms just don’t pack the same sort of punch as a real flower. It reminds me of a fat bearded man in drag. Sure the dress is there, but pretty is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when you see it. 

On the other hand, all the well wishes for my peas have met their target and the little ladies seem to be pulling it together nicely. They have a few blooms of their own swelling up and I’m thinking they are going to prove more attractive than what those creepy pretentious tomatoes came up with.  

That said, their recent trauma certainly left its mark. My girls no longer look like the debutantes I was so proud of, rather, they now more closely resemble a group of crack whores; a bit worse for wear. Well, sometimes when you get down to it, life can get pretty messy. That’s just the way it is. (The above picture is of a couple of the less battered survivors.)

One thing I’m starting to understand now a little better than I did when I started this venture is the idea of spacing. Admittedly, I tended to go closer than the recommended distances because as I was planting seedlings or seeds there just seemed to be so much extra space. I guess I thought all those other gardeners were being frivolous. Now as my potatoes have since become a microcosmic jungle (I think I saw miniature monkeys swinging from their branches in there) I’m starting to understand why the ranges are what they are.  

I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I thought it was ridiculous that potato plants could get up to 2’ tall. I’m not sure why that is as I had never seen a potato plant before I began growing them, but there you have it. As my garlic is currently well over 2’ tall, I’m no longer incredulous about their height potential; but I was.

For some reason I seem to feel the need to blaze a trail my ancestors have already been wearing down for the past 10,000 years. I mean, I try to read up and follow the advice, but sometimes I let my ignorance run away with me. I realized yesterday that all of the spinach and parsley I planted I have since confused for weedlings and pulled. Oops. The sad reality is, when I go out weeding (aka selective murdering), I should really bring a picture of what the plants I’m trying to grow look like per my sister’s advice. How pitiful is that?

In other news, the estimate to get my car fixed came in at just under $7,000. Currently I'm in good hands (indemnitily speaking), but I wouldn't be surprised if those hands decided to toss me to the curb after this fiasco. 

Also, I have ordered a new pedometer with a cover. I sprung $23.40 for that puppy. I know that number is pretty puny after the one I gave you in the last paragraph, but still. Keep in mind my last jockey was free. Worthless, but still.