Making Poppa Proud

We are certainly no experts, but we have fun with our little garden in the backyard. Our efforts have evolved through the years, from potted plants on the balcony of an apartment to a plot in a community garden, to the modest raised beds that we have now. And through the years we’ve experienced the minor successes and major failures that accompany any gardening endeavor.

This year is no different. The okra, which we planted in mid-spring, is barely inches off the ground. The peppers may produce fruit sometime in 2012 at their current pace. Our squash never took off, and the puny plants that did emerge were quickly ravaged by bugs.



Our first attempt at corn was welcomed by the neighborhood squirrels. They’ve pulled over the stalks, shucked the corn, eaten every kernel, and then come back to eat what was left of the ear.



But we have had a couple of successes. Although the sunflowers are taking their time to open, they have certainly added some height to the garden.



And then, there are the tomatoes. Those unbelievably (for us) successful tomatoes. The plants are full and bushy. The vines are weighted down to the ground with fruit. And, for once, we are enjoying baskets of tomatoes to make Poppa proud.





With any luck, the plants hold up and we might even get to share some ‘maters with Poppa when he visits in a few weeks.



-BY ADAM