Try, Try Again

      When I talk to people about gardening sometimes they seem really discouraged by setbacks in their garden that occurred the previous year.  They had one plant that didn't grow at all, or another that grew really well but didn't produce anything, or they had an insect or disease ravage some plants.  Although it's really discouraging to have these things happen, the important thing to remember is that everyone, including the most experienced master gardeners, make mistakes.  The key (as in most things in life) is to learn a lesson from it and remember that your garden will be that much better next year because of what you've learned.

The dreaded Manduca quinquemaculat, or tomato horn bug. 

The internet is a wonderful resource for those of us looking to research problems in the garden and possible solutions.  I have learned so much from my many mistakes or problems (like this one) simply by researching on the internet.

I originally thought this was Greek Aramanth but it turned out to be a huge weed, spreading its minuscule seeds all over my garden.  Years later I am still pulling up the plants from those seeds.

       This past year (2013) was particularly difficult for a lot of gardeners in Charlotte because of the massive amounts of rain we got early in the season.  It made it really difficult for plants to get enough sun to grow properly.  Improper drainage issues were made painfully obvious and many of the plants that don't like 'wet feet' suffered as a result.  

This woolly thyme died last year because of the huge amount of rain we got.  Inadequate drainage contributed to its demise.

This morning glory seedling was not getting enough sunlight. 

Here's to hoping that 2014 will be a good season for growing!