Oh, Deer!

Looks like the latest pests to visit our garden this summer are prancing around the property and eating our beans and peas and bothering our corn.

Two days ago we went into the garden after work (we didn’t have a chance to check it that morning) and found evidence of deer making little snacks of our beans and peas. They – or it, maybe it was just one – also plowed over / tore down one of our corn stalks! Bleeping pests!

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Last year we were so lucky. We saw no evidence of deer – even though we had worried in the beginning – so this year when we put in the second garden, we didn’t bother to put up a fence. We figured it was quite out in the open and perhaps that would help dissuade the deer. Apparently not.

Corn Casualty

While I had noticed the beans had been nibbled on first, I wasn’t sure it was deer-related. Then Mr. Gordon found the corn stalk on the ground. Now, one stalk might not seem a lot, but we only planted about 60 corn plants. It’s not as though we have acres of corn. So, I’m a bit bummed out. (Update: the next day we saw that deer had ripped off a corn cob off another stalk. Sheesh.)

Italian Pole Beans

Darn. We only planted a little bit of the beans my father passed on to me.

Baking Beans

I had first noticed the nibbled upon Baking Beans plants. Perfect height for the deer, I guess!

Sugar Snap Peas

Then again, these must have been the perfect height, too! Grr!

You either adjust, or give up.

When I told Mr. Gordon I was putting up a blog post about the deer eating our garden plants (with pictures), he worried that between this post and the squash bug / stink bug post, that I would be focusing on the negative – and one thing we want to do is inspire YOU to grow your own food! We don’t want you to be discouraged.

And while I understand Mr. Gordon’s concern, I want you also to know what can happen, how to adjust – maybe even be prepared “just in case,” and to also BE INSPIRED to never give up! And you know, sometimes it is disappointing to find that your hard work is being thwarted by Mother Nature’s creatures. It can be a bit daunting. Right now I’m heartbroken that we might not get much more zucchini and that the squash bugs seem to be winning. Our poor zucchini plants are at their mercy.

But, you have to learn to deal with it. I mean, you either deal with it and adjust, or give up.

I’m not giving up. I love our gardens. As I’ve said so many times: Gardening is my religion, cooking is my therapy.

Now onto some brighter news.

Sweet Pimento Peppers

I’m so excited about these lovelies. Although today is quite hot and in the 80s, the temps have been pretty low for peppers. But they are coming along!

More Peppers!

I think these are the Cayenne Peppers! I can’t wait until they are ready to pick! One of my favorite dishes to make is chili, and I am looking forward to adding homegrown peppers! *happy dance*

New Yorker Tomatoes

This picture does not do this plant justice! Our New Yorker Tomatoes plants are LOADED with tomatoes. These are a smaller variety and will be ready before our plum tomatoes. I wonder what these will taste like? We’ve never grown or eaten them before.

Kidney Beans

As I mentioned, I love to make chili. Next year I want to grow a lot of kidney beans. We are going to plant many rows.

Top Hat Corn

So the first wave of corn is starting to appear! As long as we can keep the deer away from it, I’m hoping we get to enjoy many dinners with our own fresh corn.

Basil

Gotta dig out that pesto recipe! We’ve been eating the basil fresh in salads and eggs. It’s fabulous!

Pretty Chamomile

And here’s our inspirational note to end on:

Chamomile seeds are teeny, tiny. Just so small. Specks.

And they grow into such lovely plants and flowers.

Bloom

So, “bloom where you are planted” and dare to keep gardening no matter the setbacks you might face.

It is some of the most satisfying work you will ever do.