A few of our beauties

Some of these guys are a foot tall!  Others?  Well, on our farm, everything is encouraged to grow at its own pace.  Doesn't that sound zen?  It's a wonderful way to keep from uttering discouraging words to the under performers. 

Laziness of Summer

Laziness makes me consider ridiculous possibilities.  In the last post I mentioned the option of not weeding the cotton.  How silly!  The grass was outgrowing the crop!  Maryann and I spent three days this last week pulling up every bit of green that wasn't a cotton plant.  We used mini cultivators because both of us lack the coordination to chop cotton with a hoe.  Below is our progress in installations.

We ended day one with little hope of ever finishing.  

Maryann is standing near another little patch we weeded that first day.  It looks so pitiful and grassy at this point. I preferred to continue in the bent over position weeding rather that water.  I am sick of holding the hose and it isn't yet June.

This is the finished product.  Rows are non existent.  Maryann and I laughed so hard while dreaming up excuses for disorderly planting.  We settled on telling folks that each plant told us where it wanted to be placed.  Isn't it plausible that each little guy would know where it would receive the appropriate amount of sun and rain?  We were simply the means by which it was transported to its rightful place in the universe.  Such a far out thought......

But in reality, we were too sun-addled to notice that our rows veered off in all directions.  Next year we will lay the rows out using string.  The string will guide us so less actual thinking can be involved.  

Rain!

This evening a slow rain fell on the expectant cotton and my brown, parched front lawn.  I can't imagine what my neighbors must think of my gardening skills given the condition of the front.  I've just been so busy tending to the cotton and my numerous potted plants, day lilies and irises that there is little time for much else.  

Since the folks down the street are trying to sell their house, I will do my part to beautify the neighborhood for prospective buyers and get some sod for the front lawn.  That was dad's advice. Get a few pieces of sod to put down in bare places.  If it doesn't beautify, at least it will show progress.  Dad told me I could even cut up the square foot pieces and distribute them.  This is after applying weed and feed.  I want to take the hippie/earth mother approach and go chemical free, but my lawn is in desperate shape.  I can't even identify the weeds out there.  Anyway, while I would love to take the ecological high road, I feel the suburban pressure to have a presentable lawn like everyone else.  

As an aside, I had planned to reseed the yard, but dad advised against it.  Something about not coming up evenly and constantly wanting to die.  While dad and I differ on his liberal use of Round Up and a few other gardening practices, I must admit he knows what's he's doing.  Dad got it from his father.  Papaw is so knowledgeable about everything green.  Walking with him in the garden is like walking with a North American tree and plant guidebook   Last time I visited Mamaw and Papaw, I cheekily offered to let him come live with me and be my yard guy.  I tried to sell him on lodging accommodations and told him I would feed him better than mamaw.   We both knew that I couldn't deliver on that last one.  

Should I Worry about Weeding?

While mowing, I noticed just how badly the cotton needs weeding. Maryann and I planned to weed yesterday, but that fell through. She had too much too do before leaving for Dallas and I am too lazy to weed without her motivating camaraderie. Maybe we should just let the grass grow in and weedeat it as it gets too high. I know the grass will require more watering in order to keep the cotton healthy and growing at an appropriate rate. I also know weeding is fruitless. Weed today, weed tomorrow, it's never ending. I need someone to weigh in on this.

Water

I'll do some heavy watering this evening.  Hopefully, that will help all the plants perk up.  I've got a call in to pick up cow manure.  Unfortunately, the pasture owner is busy with ball games today.  I would go and get it by myself, but I don't know if they own a bull.

Catmandoo

In taking this photo, I believe I interrupted  a pounce on an unsuspecting Lilly.  He got as far as the anticipatory "butt wiggle" before noticing the stupid human(me) with the camera.  


Prior to the photo Catmandoo was watching The Fink and me check out the garden and various plants around the yard.  Both animals like this spot as it is deliciously sandy and allows them a panoramic view of the yards nearby.

Lilly

Please pause a moment to admire this picture as it took quite a bit of effort to capture.  Lilly does not understand the concept of "sit" except in the context of receiving a treat.  Her ears are back due to complete and total confusion.  


It's important to my mom that I treat each pet fairly. I can't mention one without the other.  The problem is capturing them in a still position.  Frank is much more accommodating since he is a cat.  Cats aren't big on exerting themselves.  

Boll Weevil Eradication

This bright yellow cylinder is courtesy of the state's boll weevil eradication program.  I see no evidence of a boll weevil.  Of course, I have no idea what to look for either.  

Finky

This is why there won't be many pictures of Lilly.  She is heat adverse, preferring the shade of a tree, or in this case, a shed.   Wish she could pull up that tall grass for me.

Need to Weed

This is one of the smaller specimens, planted in a grassier area.  We desperately need to get out there and weed.  Since weeding is already an unpleasant activity, the hot sun does nothing to encourage me.  

New Growth

New leaves are sprouting every day.  I'm actually not sure if sprouting is the correct word.  The leaves seem to overwhelm the delicate looking stalks.  I want to stand out there and cheer the little guys on, but my neighbors already think I'm strange for planting cotton in the backyard.

New Leaves

While watering today, I noticed many of the plants were putting out new leaves.  I'll post a photo tomorrow.  I'm also hoping a friend of mine will allow Maryann and me to traipse through her pasture in pursuit of a more natural form of fertilizer.  Should I trust reinforced Hefty bags to keep my vehicle safe from cow poo?

And so it begins....

 It was decided that a layer of decaying leaves would make a great addition to the soil.  After spreading the leaves, we placed several tarps over the grass in the garden area.  We chose this as an alternative to spraying Roundup.  No, it didn't work as well as we hoped.

 It proved to be fairly breezy out so we used several logs to hold the tarps down.  Several logs, two flower pots, a metal pole, an ancient step ladder.....whatever was handy.

 We took turns with the tilling.  That machine is downright cantankerous.  A pair of mules and a plow might be an improvement.    I don't think Maryann will be pleased that I posted this view of her tilling.  My times coming.  Keep reading.

See, this is what you look like after failing to bathe for thirty six hours.  I've got cutoff jammy pants on and a shirt covered in old paint stains.  Gardening is not glamorous.   Next year, I'll try to look spiffy for the photos.

The first seedling is planted.  Maryann and I originally planted the seeds in those plastic containers you get from the home and garden stores.  Those we planted in the smaller six packs tended not to fair so well.  I suppose the soil dried out much more quickly in the teeny containers.  Live and learn.

Our day was spent in this position.  Whether it was pulling grass or planting the cotton seedlings, I do believe my behind was in the air the majority of the day.  We attempted to plant in beautiful straight rows.  This did not happen.  Next year we will plant along a length of string.  Yet another lesson.

Many of you know Frank, the $2700 free cat.  He is convinced that the garden was tilled to create his personal toilet.  Notice that he was kind enough to hold one of the cotton plants gently between his toes.

In this photo Frank is fulfilling his role as overseer.  He moved positions throughout the day, never straying too far.  Faithful Lilly was there as well.  She was enthralled by the organic fertilizer I applied before planting.  It must have contained bone meal.  Lilly toodled between the rows licking it up when I wasn't looking.  We've noticed no ill effects so far.  .

Aren't these little guys adorable?