Best garden ever

 When I moved from the Dallas area to Houston last August with my companion Libby (a darling chihuahua/terrier), I felt like a vagabond. My van was loaded with all my clothes and essentials, with no empty space. I had packed everything I had boxes for in the home I left, with a heavy heart after losing my husband of 36 years. He had succumed after 20 years of various health issues, then finally to Covid. I was looking forward to being near my son and his family.So when I had the offer to move to a house fairly close to my family, I took it as quickly as I could.

Weather was great until I neared Houston, then a light rain followed me to the house.  The house had been unloved for awhile, but as quickly as I could make the simple changes, I did just that.  I am still going through boxes. I have always enjoyed gardening, but the previous home had little good space or dirt to accomplish that, so  I was excited on the day i planted my first batch of seeds. My son's gardener broke up a section of concrete in the back yard to make a better rectangle up against the iron fence. First I had to change the main section and add elements where plants would thrive. It was a grey clay soil, one of 5 types of soil in Houston. I laid out tongue depressors and string to mark where I was planting those seeds

I was anxious to see new sprouts, and they came slowly this spring. Then we had that surprise winter weather, no electricity or water, etc. But the pictures show we all survived. My gas kitchen stove and 5 blankets kept me warm, and fortunately I had a lot of bottled water. Libby usually slept beneath the covers with me. When things warmed up I continued to plant seeds and some plants. The corn will have cobs on the stalk in the not too distant future, Lord willing. 

The garden spots, 1 is 10x20, another abou 6' up against the tool shed, another the same size is up against my bedroom wall and another in the front yard along the porch. I have mixed flowers in where I could. Some of those are supposed to repel bugs. I have tomatoes, corn, beans, a small fruit tree, cabbage, cucumbers and more. 

Need a bright spot, put a flower in a pot, the snake plant (mother in law tongue) is good inside the house because it needs low light. I have plants out front that draw butterflys and hummingbirds.

If you only have space in the house, make a terrarium. I won't explain what to do, check the internet. Low maintenance.

I check the garden each morning to see what can be picked. Just be sure you allow as much room as is recommended for each planting. My cucumber is crawling all over the back yard concrete sitting area. It's a joy to pick fresh tomatoes and cucumbers right now. We have had enough rain up to now to really take pretty good care of the plants. I also enjoy just sitting outside and watching it all grow.

Good gardening!

Gael