It’s been almost 20 years since I moved into my house, and from day one, my husband Steve made sure there was a garden in our backyard.
He spent hours out there, preparing the soil, pulling the weeds and planting more vegetables than I knew we could ever eat. I know I took our garden for granted. While I helped to water it every now and then, I wasn’t the one who painstakingly took such good care of it. I just enjoyed eating 10 kinds of tomatoes, sharing our bounty with our friends and family, and cooking large pots of spaghetti sauce to store in the freezer.
Our garden was fantastic – for about 15 years or so. The last few years, we haven’t had as much luck. Even though he continued to plant the way he always did, our plants didn’t look so good and they would die out about halfway into summer.
This year, Steve said he was taking a “rest year” with the hope that the soil would replenish itself. But a summer without a garden seemed impossible to me. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I bought an array of potted tomato and pepper plants and set them on my deck. They were beautiful … for the first couple of weeks.
Now, my deck looks like death row. Along with a measly bunch of tomatoes I’ve already picked, the plants are wilted, yellowed and brown. I am so disappointed. What did I do wrong? According to my research at our local gardening centers, I did everything wrong.
The experts at Atrium Garden Center in Lake Zurich said that when plants exhibit yellow leaves, they are over-watered. Check.
Yet, the first sign of under-watering is dried and crispy leaf tips. Double check.
Also, plants located in the hot afternoon sun might need more water than plants located in morning sun. Am I supposed to move the containers around every day?
And keep your plants fertilized – all of that water can starve the plants of nutrients. Who knew? Basically, it seems that like a good Jewish mother, I watered the plants whether they really needed it or not. If I was thirsty, I figured they were thirsty too.
Next, I spoke with John Heaton, the owner of Knupper Nursery & Landscape in Palatine. This man really knows his stuff!
More Top Picks Best Stability Shoes For Women
After speaking with him about my initial garden woes, our conversation turned to other questions I had: Why aren’t my blueberry plants growing? The soil isn’t acidic enough. Why aren’t my hydrangea plants blossoming? Proper pruning is key.
How do I keep rabbits out of the garden? Try 2-foot-tall chicken wire.
What are the best types of trees to plant to avoid the Emerald ash borer problem in our area? A shade tree, such as a maple is a good bet because it is native to our area.
All in all, this year without a traditional garden has given me quite an education. Not only do I have a newfound respect for my husband for his years of hard work and dedication; I have learned that there is a fine line between watering your plants and murdering them.
I also learned that Lincolnshire’s Didier Farms farmstand just opened. And not only will I be visiting to purchase its delicious sweet corn, I will be trying something new this year – the farmstand is taking orders for half and full bushel baskets of its just-picked vegetables. The tomatoes will be ready for purchase in August. Order by phone and pick up the next day. It’s as simple as that. Count me in!
That’s all for now; please send your neighborhood news and any of your own gardening war stories to Aileen Simons at [email protected] (note the new email address).
Aileen Simons is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.