I've had some big ambitions for gardening at my house. So far, pretty scattered results.
We made flower beds out front in the Spring. For the most part things went well and are still alive. Alive, with alterations that is. Each cat has a favorite plant to sleep on. The "cat bed" plants are alive, but growing flat instead of up and out. Three of the four purple fountain grass plants have been munched to the quick by the kitties. My bat-faced cuphea plant get trampled every time the giant Oreo Jack dog bounds out of the house.
Veggies? I've tried. The first batch of tomato plants grew all summer long, with no tomatoes due to hot weather. And I bought the heat-resistant and drought-proof ones! Finally when each plant had about two tomatoes, the plants were invaded by aphids and "real bugs". The bugs were relentless and the plants suffered and I finally tore them out.
The second batch of tomatoes, similar story to the first. Planted in late July for Fall harvest. Overcome by spider mites. I fought the mites diligently for three weeks. Then tore my brown, crispy bushes out.
I seem to be able to grow only one thing. And I don't think it's my gardening skill. I think it is where these seeds are from that make them grow so well. They are loofah sponge seeds. And they have grown all the way up my garage, and far beyond the teepee which I made for them to grow on. There are lots of loofahs growing on the vines. When I found the seeds in an old vase of mine, I didn't think they would grow. I mean, the seeds were about 4-5 years old after all. Where are they from? Jeremiah Farms in South Carolina, which is run my my friends Tim and Casey Price (http://www.jeremiahfarmsc.com/Jeremiah_Farms/Welcome.html). I am now starting to harvest my loofah crop, and the vines keep growing.
