The death of a garden

by Veronica on March 6, 2011

in Garden

I mentioned in yesterday’s post about stolen ducks that my entire “big” garden was destroyed by frost.

Corn.

Wide angle lens – the tomato patch was 2x3m (plus tomatoes in the small garden that I lost too – not pictured).

We also lost the 15 pumpkin vines, 8 zucchini plants, all the basil, all the cucumbers, the rockmelon and watermelon (that were doing badly anyway).

The entire summer crop, gone. Sigh.

I’m going to go out this afternoon and see how many of the green tomatoes I can save, either to ripen inside, or to make green tomato sauce/chutney out of.

There are farmers in Victoria whose entire farms are under water still – while mine is only a tiny loss in the scheme of things, these were still plants I was hoping to use to see my family through winter. I can understand the gut wrenching feeling of realising that everything you planted has died.

A lot of empathy for the farmers this week. I only lost a small amount of money invested and everything else was time and energy, and I’m still devastated.

Emmalina March 6, 2011 at 12:14 pm

Our veggie patch has totally failed too (we live just outside of Hobart). This weather has made it almost impossible for us to successfully grow anything. Aside from blackberries. The battle with those is never-ending.

I’m sorry to hear of your garden and the stolen ducklings. Seriously, who the hell does that? Big e-hugs your way!

Veronica March 6, 2011 at 12:26 pm

My blackberries were doing really well too – but the frost has shrivelled a lot of the new fruit. No doubt they’ll come back, tough as old boots. I’m waiting until winter and then we’ll prune ours back heavily (again).

Megan March 6, 2011 at 12:51 pm

Weather is evil that way, we had a mild winter and then all of a sudden we got freezing temps and snow and now its like winter never existed. Sorry to hear you lost your garden, and the duck that was just wrong.

Marita March 6, 2011 at 12:57 pm

So depressing I remember reading how proud you were of all the work you had done in earlier posts. I’m so sorry 🙁

Of the 5 tomato plants we planted I got 1 measly tomato. Most of our sensory garden died too. Not sure what is wrong with the dirt there but it does explain why not much was growing in it when we moved in. Am going to have to dig up all the checker board paving stones we put in and add some good quality fertiliser and soil to it and hope that makes a difference.

Wanderlust March 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm

Oh, that’s painful to look at. That’s just awful. There have been years out here when the wheat farmers lose their whole crops. I can’t imagine what that must feel like.

Tanya March 6, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Big Hugs hun. Devastating. 🙁

mama mogantosh March 6, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Man, you’re having a tough month so far. Hope things look up a little soon. xx

Kim March 6, 2011 at 2:57 pm

How horrible to lose the garden and I can’t believe someone took those ducks. I am very upset for you. Sorry to hear this has happened.

Naomi March 6, 2011 at 3:04 pm

That is hard to look at. I’m so sorry. We lost all our pumpkins and zucchini this time last year to the hail storm in Melb. It’s devastating to say the least. As for someone stealing your ducklings… that beggars belief.

I hope you can salvage some veggies to at least make sauce & chutney.

tiff March 6, 2011 at 3:25 pm

How horrible to lose the garden and the gorgeous ducklings. Many hugs for you xx

river March 6, 2011 at 4:03 pm

Your garden looks so sad now Veronica. I remember earlier photos you posted of green growing things and how excited I felt for you.

I hope the winter season growing goes well for you.

Laura March 6, 2011 at 4:32 pm

Oh no 🙁 thats terrible. I would have had a small cry!

Bells March 6, 2011 at 9:08 pm

i’m with you. I’m days away from losing my summer crop to an early frost. I feel it. It’s coming. My sister mentioned green tomato chutney this morning and I thought, yeah, that’s coming. Sigh.

BendyGirl March 6, 2011 at 9:22 pm

*hugs* So sorry to hear of this. Very much hoping this is the last event in your run of bad luck. BG Xx

rachael March 6, 2011 at 10:33 pm

I’m still trying to wrap my head around who steals ducks that are too young to sell, to young to eat, and too young to produce eggs. I just cannot fathom out the reasoning.

I wish I could undo the frost for you.

Marylin March 6, 2011 at 11:29 pm

I can’t even imagine. 🙁 *hugs*

Troutie March 7, 2011 at 1:11 am

Oh your poor thing! I don’t have a garden but when I did I used to grow stuff and it was so exciting. I really feel for you – and the poor ducklings!!!

There are some freebies over at mine which might cheer you up but it depends on how kinky you are feeling!

Jeanette Verster March 7, 2011 at 7:49 am

OMW frost! But it’s still summer?!
I can only imagine how you’re feeling.

minuted'automne March 7, 2011 at 12:36 pm

It is a terrible thing. When did the first frost happen last year? Strange to read of that as we are moving into spring here in france and yes, still getting night frost.

Tenille @ Help!Mum March 7, 2011 at 5:28 pm

I don’t know how farmers do it, to have your livelihood at the mercy of the weather must be so frustrating, and heartbreaking when things go really bad.

Nicole March 9, 2011 at 6:35 pm

Oh, Veronica, how awful… i nearly cried when I saw your pics, I can so imagine how frustrating it must be. It’s a wonderful feeling to provide for your family, and devastating when something like this happens.
Have a great time at the AusBlogCon, wish I was going, next year maybe, but until then I put my (very small) contribution forward… even if it just buys you a smile, enjoy that smile!!

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