Happy Fall!

Our latest additions: Lauren's lettuce-filled planter and recycled cans
I spray painted to grow Johnny Jump Ups.

I've discovered that working in our little yard is one of the best ways for me to keep my sanity through school.  When we first moved in, we had a tiny dead strip of grass surrounding the back patio.  That was it.  Lauren's mom and cousin quickly ripped that up and planted a couple little trees and flowers and basil.  (That basil went to town and has kept us well-supplied throughout the summer.)  As time and funds have allowed, Lauren and I (mostly me) have added to it.

First, I decided I'd plant a tomato plant.  Even though it was pretty late in the season, I figured we could still get several tomatoes from it. Well, shortly after I planted it, a very energetic mole came digging through our entire flower bed and circled around the tomato plant.  About half the plant died.  I packed the dirt back around the plant and hoped for the best.  Which turned out to be a herd of big green juicy caterpillars.  I sprayed down the plant.  I didn't get any tomatoes to ripen and I think it's about time to rip out the plant.

Next, I planted some greens and snap peas.  They were doing absolutely great.  Enter large flock of slugs.  Yeah, not so great.  Note to the wise, do not pick up a slug.  They slime you, and you think it's not that bad until you can't get the slime off.  It took me close to 10 minutes, using grease-removing pumice soap to get that slime off.  Salting slugs is kind of fun, but not so good for your plants, so I went and bought slug bait.  My plants are all growing very nicely now.  I even added two large spreads of wildflowers.

Man, I had no idea pests could be this bad!  Living in an orchard all my life, the pesticides took care of everything and I never even had to think about it!  

I'm all for pesticides.