Growing Our Own Vegetables, Not What It's Cracked Up To Be!

 Betwixt snails and hot weather.

Every year we plant stuff in our vegetable garden and are actually rather proud of it. At the beginning, but after a while, when heat and drought ( man-made by forgetting to water ) and the odd army of snails interfere, the fun goes away.

It takes so much water and time to grow tomatoes that I have renewed respect for the professional growers. A moment ago I managed to pick three ripe tomatoes and was happy about that, but at the same time, three were unpickable due to having been devoured by said snails. Well, I suppose they have to eat as well and who are we to deny anybody food?

The daily watering gets done with the rainwater we collected, mainly because we don't have any outside water source apart from it. But, it is amazing how much water it takes to grow tomatoes. I suppose it is more economical in green houses etc. At least I hope so.

The two feral tomcats have now taken a liking to dozing the day away in the vegetable patch. Perhaps more to keep an eye on the new cat, she who gets fed on the front door step. Somehow the two boys have gotten wind of the fact that we feed her slightly more upscale food. Can't help it, as I still have a hope that her owners might appear. The way she follows Maxi and I on our excursions is priceless and not something a feral would deign to do. This cat deserves to go home to a loving family.

The hot weather seems to have been whisked away by a flurry of clouds and wind. Brilliant! A few more warm days predicted for the weekend but then, autumn will start to leave little hints for us. As long as the rest of our tomatoes grow to grace our salads before the weather turns....

Biggi