It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great

I know a lot of people garden but this just seems apropos. Lately, I've felt like I've reached this milestone. Like something, internal or maybe external, is throwing down some kind of gauntlet. I'm spending at least 8 hours a day easily on my backyard, its getting hotter and hotter (the last couple of days have been in the 90's!) and I catch myself thinking how easy it would be to stop.

Gardening isn't hard but it isn't easy. It isn't just a matter of getting some seeds, putting them in miracle-gro and watering them everyday. There's more to it. A lot more to it. Here are some notes I've made along the way:

1. Soil temperature affects growth. I point this out because mulching not only retains moisture, it retains heat. So while it is only necessary to mulch twice a year to retain moisture, it's also important to mulch in order to regulate or maintain ground temperature


2. Have a rainwater collection system in place.


3. Good plants for beginners are onion and garlic. With these plants, it literally is just drop the bulb in the ground and water. In addition these plants, garlic especially, repel a lot of insects go figure. Get these plants established in your garden first as their uses are immeasurable.

I think what I have to remind myself is that not only am I trying to start a vegetable garden but I'm also trying to clean up a backyard torn up by years of renovation. In addition, I'm trying to landscape the backyard so not only am I cleaning up, but I'm reconditioning and I'm trying to establish.

Hard hard work. But really satisfying and really great.