September 17, 2019
I built a six and a half foot tall fence around my garden to keep the wildlife out, but it only works for the deer. To keep gophers and moles out I would have to bury mesh eighteen inches deep. To keep ground squirrels and rabbits out I would have to attach the mesh to the fence, because they can push up the fence and dig under it. Raccoons and possums can climb over it and turkeys can fly over it. Living in the country provides you with ample opportunity to view wildlife, but they all want to share in your bounty..
My son lives in the city and still faces the same Intruders as me because he lives on the river. All the indigenous animals travel the corridor of water feasting on gardens along the way. He doesn't have a turkey problem, unless you count the neighbors :), but has a flock of geese that lurks outside his back fence just waiting for him to plant something they like..
September 18, 2019
Having learned gardening in the 60's, amidst the counter cultural "Hippy" movement, I tended to embrace the notion that a ballanced ecosystem discouraged the use of chemicals. No pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or fertilizer would be needed if you amended your soil properly. Beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, butterflies, dragonflies, spiders and wasps, should be encouraged to peruse the plantings and help themselves to the feast. Frogs, toads, birds, snakes and lizards should feel at home..
It's a bit idealistic, as was their belief that the world would accept an attitude of love toward all mankind, and I have found myself building an arsenal of eco friendly, organic products to counter the negative effects of nature's reality. Things get out of balance because we don't know enough to prevent it, so using the least toxic solutions, in small quantities, can help guide the system back to stacis..
September 19, 2019
My gardening enthusiasm waxes and wanes throughout the year. Sometimes just walking in the woods is more enjoyable than puttering around in the garden. The garden has responsibilities inherent in it that are alligned with my ego. A walk through the garden can unveil a plethora of tasks that need attention. The requirement to "be still" is often interrupted by the feeling that stuff should get done..
This is fine for you young whippersnappers, but us old geezers need to take seriously the significance of the moment, and conscious thankfulness can be lost in activity. Yesterday, when the overcast day alligned with the time to transplant my cabbage starts, I lost track of time in the thorough enjoyment of the activity. There is a balance between doing and being that changes as we age, and we can adjust gracefully, or remain in ignorance. It was the first time I've not needed to provide transplants with shade, and it gave me the feeling of being in synchronization with nature..
