Spring in the Garden

Today is the first day of planting in the new organic garden. It's been many years since I slowed down and decided it was time to plant again. The fire ants had run me off for several years, but this year is different. I don't intend to let them stop me. I have a one year old grandson that I want to share the garden with. Thankfully we had a few hard frosts this winter and that will help control fire ants and mosquitoes this year. We're trying something new this year on the fire ants; grits. Yes, the grits that southern people eat for breakfast. Apparently fire ants eat them and can't digest them. I know it sounds cruel, but fire ants can really injure children and I'm not taking any chances with my grandson.

Today we uncovered the plot we'd be solarizing (covered with black plastic to kill of fungus and nematodes) to reveal the snow white sand that fills our back yard and we amended the soil with some organic loam. We planted pre-started tomatoes, okra, and lavender and some radish seeds in our first row. We'll eventually have three rows, but we're starting small.

We're beginning to enjoy our big backyard again. We have a pond in view these days, birds, and squirrels for the baby to watch. Hanging out in the back yard and family & friends on the back porch, I can't think of a better way to spend these beautiful days before it gets too hot to be outside.

The Organic Garden Adventure Begins!

Al and I have begun to dig the weeds and roots from our old garden patch. We're excited that the weather will begin to cool off next month and we'll be able to grow some veggies. It's been quite some time since we ventured into gardening. The last time was during a hectic time when we had young children and a dog in the same area with no fence. I was working outside the home and had a family of four to keep up with. The fire ants were taking over and I decided to give up. Now, It's just Al and I and we see Emily occasionally between her many social engagements. We have baby Logan visiting most early evenings after I get home form work, so it's a great time to be outside.
Last night I was clearing up some weeds around our tiny "pond" and was nearly eaten alive by mosquitos. I wore repelent, but they didn't care. A bat box is on my list of things for Al to build for our new garden. I'm hoping the bats that used to inhabit our neighborhood will come back and eat all the stinking mosquitos! So far, fire ants have not been as much of a problen, but now that we've moved the weeds out and exposed the sandy soil, they'll find us. I have an organic plan of attack this time, so we'll see if it works. Stay tuned. You may see some green from our patch of dirt. I'll keep you posted.