I was a little worried about my garden over the last month. In the middle of July, I sprained my ankle rather badly, managing to damage it about as much as I possibly could without actually breaking anything. (Go, me!) My partner was able to do some watering for me and the weather was fairly mild, so nothing died while I was out of commission, thank goodness. The weeds, being the hardy, prolific, and opportunistic garden dwellers that they are, spread riotously. I was stuck looking out the window and watching their progress. Now that I’m mostly healed, I’m trying to slowly clean up the garden beds. They aren’t so bad, but the yard itself has become a little daunting.
The good news is that I’m finally starting to eat from my garden. First radishes, lettuce and basil; now thyme and carrots; soon beets, Swiss Chard, beans and cucumber. I’m also hoping it’s not too late to put in a few more squares for fall harvest. Not bad for my first season of square foot gardening.
I’ve had a few challenges, including aphids, though they haven’t done as much damage as I feared. The cucumber and bean vines are making forays into the yard and up the bay tree, the mixed greens have finally bolted and my sad, little pepper plant may never produce a thing, but I’ve had few failures. The biggest disappointment was finding one whole square of carrots stolen. I’ve dug up the rest, though they could probably have used a little more time in the ground. I’m hoping that the person who took the carrots leaves the rest of my garden alone.
I’m working on letting that go, because it’s a futile anger. I’m trying to focus instead on why I want a vegetable garden. It’s a place for experimentation and learning, as well as for growing my own food more cheaply and healthily than I can buy it. It’s also a better use of land than a lawn could ever be. It’s nice to feel, in however small a way, a part of the revival of food production in our culture.
One Wet Foot 
Sounds like a pretty successful first season for this new way of gardening, given that you’re weathering the setbacks and enjoying the food you’ve grown – yay! I like the photos, especially the first, second and fourth.
Watching your garden grow is the most enjoyable the thing, oh and the veggies are nice too!
My word! Someone stole the carrots from your garden?! Sheesh…! Well, all I can say, Teresa, is let the anger go because it will just eat at you. The person who took the carrots must have needed food on their table and so feel good that you were able to provide them some sustenance. I am so happy to hear that you are getting around now and are able to get out and garden because it does the soul a world of good. I have enjoyed the walk through your garden so much. I missed out on planting summer vegetables, but I am planning on a fall/winter vegetable patch. I don’t think it’s too late for your area to plant a fall patch. It is cool because you get a different crop with a different season. Have fun planning and planting!
Glad your ankle is getting better and you’re eating produce from your own garden! Hope you’ll be able to enjoy more from it before the winter.
Gardening and eating the fruits (or vegetables) of your labor is so satisfying. Glad to hear that you are mostly recovered. Your pictures are great!
I’ve loved seeing your garden this summer. I’m sorry that someone dug up some of your carrots…always frustrating when people take things. We get that with our citrus fruits. Sometimes I go out back and see men in my trees picking my fruit. I always tell them that if they had knocked on the door and asked, I would have said yes, but because they did not ask, they will have to leave the bags of fruit that they have picked for me to use. Then I get thoughts like maybe they will kill me or something, but they always hop the block wall and run away. (Everyone’s property here is surrounded by high block walls…ours are 9′ high so it is a pretty good jump to hop the wall.) It is always worse to think of grown men in my yard than thinking about what they are taking. We always bag up excess fruit and put it out front for people to take…love to share, but hate it when it is stolen. Your garden is beautiful and I hope you have a bountiful harvest.