poco sobre mi vida: oh the destruction!

Another life happening took me away from gardening for a couple of weeks. This time there was barely enough energy to fall into bed at night, so about all I did was look at the plants as I stumbled down the stairs each morning. I was called in to work the Monument Fire, and working a fire does not allow one to piddle in the garden, especially when working 16 hours most days. Thank goodness for team efforts, no plants were neglected, and all were watered and much loved.

Monument Fire, Father's Day 2011

Post fire I was given a few days to get prepared to go back to work, so I used this time as garden time. Oh how I missed the plants. And tragedy in the way of plants struck again. With my failing efforts in making a fence, part procrastination/part guilt, something went to town on the plants. My guess, javelina. Each plant had its own individual chicken wire fence staked down like no other. Whatever creature it may have been, it took the cages out and feasted on the leaves of my beloved brussel sprouts, Apache watermelon, and various tomatoes. I was heart broken.
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A few months back I looked about the gardening area around the upstairs houses, which is gated by the way, and thought to myself that there was little space left to garden. This is when preparations were made to start moving plants to the upper garden. After most leaves from the plants were gone during the up top massacre, I looked around the same area around the upstairs houses and thought to myself that there was plenty of space left to garden.

Alas, I went to work finding things that could act as beds. I found old drawers that once belonged to a chest of drawers, and now strung about the abandoned house above. I plopped them down where they were to be, rallied up a bit of straw, and added the soil mixture. All but a couple of plants were brought down from the upper garden to be guarded by the gate and 3 dogs. Plus there was enough room to plant a few more broccoli and cilantro.

drawer beds

It is a bummer that the upper garden could not be protected. S did a great job on the soil prep up there, and the dirt was looking really good. I must say, since this is my first year using straw, I am a believer. Adding straw to the mix produces great results. I would bet for years to come straw will be a mainstay in my gardening efforts.

On a side note: One great thing that happened in the garden this week was the squash, mmmm, the squash. I had a taste of the first squash from the garden, and tasty it was. Oh, and strawberries daily. This garden thing rocks.