Yesterday morning I pulled more beets to make pickled beets. I hoed around the new artichoke seedlings. There were about a dozen of them. As I was working, I was thinking how many artichokes we would have next year. It would surely be enough that we could have them at least once a week during growing season. The garden had lots of added rabbit poop and composted horse manure this year. It was going to be my best garden yet!
That, my friends, was counting my chickens before they hatch!
Last night after the storms passed, I could not even get into the garden. This morning, I expected to find a mess – mud and leaves down from the trees but, I wasn’t expecting quite the damage I found.
The garden sits on the slightest of inclines. Honestly, when we chose that spot, I never noticed the incline and if I had, I probably would not have thought it was a problem . . but it is. We don’t seem to get “normal” rains here. It will rain 2 or 3 times a year and it’s a gully washer. Vince had set up some of the plastic edging and put landscape timbers behind it to stop the water from draining so fast across the garden.
Garden
When I saw that the water had come through and moved the plastic edging that was partially buried in the ground, and had knocked over and moved the landscape timbers, I knew we had a LOT of water coming through there quickly.
All of the little artichoke seedlings are completely covered in mud so I doubt they’ll manage to poke their heads through it. They’re such tender little plants. I can hope that the mud protected them from the hail and they will surface again. I have no idea how much mud was over them by the time the hail fell.
Hail damaged the other plants.
Tomatoes
The tomatoes were beaten down and broken . . branches broken and about half the leaves and all the tender little blossoms are stripped from the vines.
Peas
Yesterday morning the peas were blooming. Today, the tops are broken out, leaves are stripped and there are no blooms remaining.
Peppers
This pepper plant did better than the others. It has 2 leaves left! 🙁
Squash
The lemon squash . . I was thinking I’d be picking squash by the weekend. Twisted, broken and leaves torn away from the plant.
Things may come back and survive and be even stronger . . they may not; time will tell.
I am incredibly sad but I am reminded that in some areas, homes were damaged and destroyed, lives are lost in storms . . this is just a garden. I will probably not replant this year. It’s so late and with the temps soon to be above 100º, it’s an effort in futility to plant this late.
I am also reminded that in my grandparents’ and great grandparents’ day, a failed garden often meant a hungry family. I do this because I want to . . not because I have to. We will not miss a meal even if we get nothing from the garden, but . . it is quite frustrating and disappointing.
A few tears have fallen but I will wipe my eyes and be thankful the damages weren’t worse and remind myself that no matter how much effort I put into things, a good outcome is never guaranteed.
MrsB says
It is so humbling to realize we have no control over Mother Nature. I’ve started over more times than I can count. Those pix are unbearably sad. Hope you have some survivors.
Theresa says
I’m really sorry, and I would exactly the same way you do. I hope most of the plants make a comeback, and there’s still time to replant some of it.
FRan says
I have been following your blog for a couple of years and this is the first time I am leaving a comment. I love your attitude. I know gardening is hard work. I do not garden but my parents did and my mother canned and I remember the long hours put into both the growing of the food and then the preserving of the food. I remember their successes and the failures and the disappointments. Keep up the good work. TRuthfully I have no idea where you get your energy!
Lynne in Hawaii says
You have a good attitude in adverse circumstances. You will have to wait and see what will come back and some will come back. Also, you have what you already put up through drying, freezing and canning.
Dottie N. says
So sorry, Judy – We do forget how severe storms can be until they are “there”. Keeping my fingers crossed that some of the plants will survive and be stronger than ever.
PEGGY says
Oh my goodness! All the work y’all have already done … seemingly washed away …. I love your attitude but do feel for you. And I pray many of those tender little plants come back stronger than ever. AND I’m thankful you’re not dependent on that garden to eat. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like to go through that storm, out there by yourselves … I’ve been through some hurricanes but always in the Houston area, surrounded by lots and lots of people going through the same experience. As much as long for your lifestyle, when things like this happen it gives me pause …. {{{hugs}}}
Bon says
Wow! That is a lot of damage to your poor garden. But, like you say, it could have been so much worse.
Penny Holliday says
Earlier I was shocked then sad to see pictures & read about your devastated garden. I am sorry & hope that the sun will shine & perhaps revive some of your garden plants! Glad that you & Vince are ok!
Hugs to you both! Penny in CA
JanetB says
So sad for your garden. Hopefully, the sun will come out tomorrow…
Julia says
Judy, I would love to have your pickled beet recipe! They are one my favorite things and would love to make them! Thanks, Julia
Dar in MO says
So sorry to see the damage the storm did to your beautiful garden. I feel for you and know that it is so much work, but as you say, you do not have to depend on your food totally from a garden. We are getting major rain and hail the last two days too and more rain to come in the next couple weeks. As you know, in the St. Louis area we don’t start planting our gardens until early May. Needless to say, I spent the weekend planting tomatoes, several kinds of peppers, cucumbers, beet seeds, and more. Most of my seeds are probably in the neighbor’s yard down the street! So glad you and Vince were not harmed or some major disaster to your home.,
Rebecca in SoCal says
What a devastated garden. It is good you don’t depend on it, but it is sad that you won’t be enjoying all those fresh vegetables.
I haven’t read about the baby chicks yet, but was thinking of the hens hunkering down in their houses, hoping they were snug, and of Cat. I also am wondering about your fruit trees. Is anything left on them? Will they survive?
Kay L Ford-Sollimo says
Just so very sad and sorry for the devastation and cancelling of all your hard work. It’s a wonder to me that you can see that it is not a total disaster. I would have cried and cried. It is a grief of sorts for sure. Thank God that you won’t starve as a result and your home still stands. How did the fruit trees fare? The baby chicks?
Helene says
Oh such sad and sorry pictures. All your hard work and long hours you have put into your garden. I do hope some survive and you’ll be able to enjoy the fruit of your labor.
JudyL says
About half the tomatoes are going to make it, the eggplant will probably be ok. Most of the lemon squash is lost but I’ve replanted plain yellow squash but I have a hard time with squash bugs ruining that so we’ll see if I get any squash. The peas are probably about 80% gone. The potatoes are done .. they would have kept making or another month and a half but they’r finished now that hte tops are broken off. The pumpkins are fine. The okra is just now coming up so it’s fine.
The elderberries, goji berries and gooseberry that we had just planted were shielded by a large tree so they’re fine. It could have been worse and it’s just a garden and there’s always next year, but thanks for caring.