What I am learning more and more is the simple truth Marc Hamer wrote about in How to Catch a Mole: Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature —
“Gardening is not nature: it is using the laws of nature and science to impose our will on a place…”
This bit of wisdom certainly has sunk in more lately as the challenges in my community garden plot continue, (as chronicled in a previous posting “Hang on Little Tomato”.)
The good news is that I harvested a near perfect Brandywine tomato, and it was as tasty as tomato aficionados have described. The problem is that I have only one tomato that ripened on the vine and a dozen others in various shapes and sizes are on the brink. Unfortunately, the leaves are yellowing (not wilting) and the question is whether the tomatoes will begin to ripen before the plant capitulates.
I did have a similarly sized Cherokee Purple, but a squirrel got that one. I counterattacked by wrapping both of my remaining tomato plants in chicken wire and if that doesn’t work, I might try concertina wire. I also added a water dish because I’ve read somewhere that sometimes squirrels attack tomatoes because they are thirsty. Who knows.
Cuke Problems
My Marketmore cucumbers look healthy with plenty of blossoms, but the fruits never get bigger than the tip of my finger before disappearing. Until I figure it out, I am blaming the adjacent pickleball court and the sharp, sporadic 70-decibel plunk-plunk-plunking for creating a hostile environment.
Eggplants
I’ve always had success with Asian variety eggplants, but admittedly I have no understanding of my good fortune than I do with the problems I have with other veggies.
Funny how the Hamer quote has provided gardening comfort so far this season. Such is the power of reading to heal.
Pop-up Events This Week
Destination Books will be at the Tucker Farmers Market on Thursday, July 20th from 4 to 7 p.m. and the Carter Center Freedom Farmers Market on Saturday morning July 22nd. Undoubtedly, I will bring my Hamer books.
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