The dry gardening is doing so-so. So far I've gotten about two dozen grape tomatoes, a dozen mid-sized green tomatoes, and several jalapeños. Enough to make two big jars of roasted green salsa. Lots a romaine lettuce in May and June.. Lots of salads but let it go to seed cause I was tired of washing it all the time. My neighbor has 3x as many tomato plants and waters his beds frequently, he says he isn't getting anything. However, the squirrels are and they are sticking it to him by leaving half of everything they eat on the fence railing, in his kid's clubhouse, and even in my tree right above my hammock. We had a lot of rain in May and beginning of June, so that really helped establish my plants. Since I planted everything in April, I think, I have only watered twice. Last week we finally made it up to the high 90's and 100's with no rain so things were beginning to dry out.
Everything looks scraggly but the fruit is still growing. I have saved a lot of water usage this year.
Ironically though, this summer has already cost me a lot of money too. Our AC went out, after about 25-30 years, it finally called it quits.
My first summer project is a garden shed. Total cost less than $250. I reused old fence pickets, the old rust nails from the pockets, left over paint and lumber from previous projects. I did have to buy a few 2x6s and 2x4s, along with the corrugated sheets for the roof. So not only did I clean out my garage of materials, I was able to create less waste for the landfill.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 6
The size is 8x4x8ft. In hindsight, would have made it shorter, but I guess I can put some shelves in it and hang my garden tools up high, leaving space below for things.
All in all, I had a blast working in the heat, sweating it up, getting some exercise, creating something, and getting dirty. The only bad thing was one paper wasp sting on my thumb knuckle.
Go Garden and Get Dirty!
