You can learn a lot about someone from their garden. For instance, do they use Clorox or Downy; do they drink more skim milk or more whole milk? And because of the popularity of home gardening these days, our back yards have taken on quite a different look than in years past.

I posted a while back about putting down roots, and included a picture of my seeds that had sprouted. Last week, I had the crazy idea of putting the cups outside (they were now 4 inches tall and getting spindly) to get them adjusted to the weather since it had been cold. The day I decided to put them out, the wind blew like we lived in western Kansas and some of the leaves wilted before I could get them in the ground.

Some of them were too far gone, and others, I’m trying to save. See, that’s the thing about a garden – it’s so fulfilling, knowing that you’re actually GROWING something. It makes me feel successful. It’s the little accomplishments in life.

So, for the tomato and pepper plants I transplanted, I’ve used one of the tricks from Grandma’s “I learned it from my mother” book of knowledge and put milk jugs over them. This creates a sort of greenhouse effect and I must say, out of the 27 plants that made their beginning in red Solo cups, I’ve managed to save 15 of them. The wind took out about 9, so I’d say that’s a pretty good save-rate.

Some things about modern gardening haven’t changed. Including knowing what your neighbors are drinking and washing their clothes in.

Until we walk again …