Homebodies - Cleaning up the garden

Details

Published on Monday, October 22, 2018

By Rita Friesen

Neepawa Banner & Press

It didn’t take me very long this year! I have a raised bed, a flower bed and had vegetables alongside the house. Nothing got planted until I got home from a holiday, mid June is a little late to grow great expectations.

The radishes were marvellous, better than any I have ever grown, and I pulled the remnant when they went to seed. The peas climbed their fence and the ones Miss Daisy didn’t find were wonderful. They got pulled up when they dried up. It was much the same with the cucumbers; they produced well, with an abundance of watering, and Miss Daisy could find the wee ones hiding under the rough leaves. I think she wants to be a vegetarian, climbing in and out of the raised bed at will. Good thing she doesn’t like tomatoes, we ate our share of them. It was a steady clean up as the plant dried up, and that makes for an easy last round at the garden.

For years, I grew corn. Rows and rows of corn. Most years, I left the stalks standing, allowing the deer and the racoons a fall and winter treat. They were so deeply rooted that it was easier to dig them out in spring than in fall. I used the woodland creatures as an excuse. This year I grew no corn, benefitting from a gardening fiend that grew enough for the neighbourhood. It was much the same with potatoes. There was a time when I hauled bags full down cellar only to haul bags full back up in the spring. This year, I wanted one plant but never got around to planting it – says something about how important it really was! Again, I was given all that I needed and wanted. So no clean up for that either.

I dug the gladiolas, pulled up the petunias, (plural on both of those!) and planted a corner of bulbs. When I moved off the acreage, I was adamant that I did not want any of the flowers that were growing there. I didn’t. However, I want flowers now. Tulips, little purple flowers, little white flowers. Got them all settled down for their long winter’s nap. I have something in the garden to look forward to come spring.

I had this wonderful image of composting. I was even given an authentic composter. It has been disappointing. The mass has been watered, warmed, turned. Additives have been added. Late summer I scooped out a five gallon pail of good soil. And left the rest to mature.

Folks explain how easy it is to make good compost. I faithfully cut watermelon and cantaloupe rinds into tiny pieces, crushed egg shells, above and beyond the required work. My daughter stuffed her garbage bin with holes drilled into the sides with fall leaves, added the leavings from making mead, and had a wonderful soil additive. Maybe I am trying too hard!

There is something deeply satisfying about gardening. It is healthy and therapeutic. There is something awesome about cleaning up the last of the garden, and dreaming of the perfect one for next year.