Tara’s Gardening

Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies, and every year I grow a colorful assortment of fruits, veggies, and flowers that brighten up my little piece of paradise. Flowers bring me joy with their vibrant colors, lovely scents, and the cheerful vibe they give my home. I also love canning, freezing, and dehydrating my garden’s bounty, so I can enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of my labor all year long. My wild blackberry and raspberry bushes? Let’s just say I’m in a race with the deer to snag those delicious berries as soon as they ripen!

Since moving here, I’ve added apple and peach trees, along with raspberry, elderberry, and blueberry bushes. The elderberries are thriving, but those raspberries and blueberries? Well, let’s just say they’re a work in progress. I’m determined to figure out how to grow them successfully… one day.

Protecting my apple and peach trees from the local wildlife is no easy task. Deer and bears have made themselves right at home in my garden, especially those pesky deer. They’ve developed quite the taste for my beans, green peppers, lettuce, and now, even zucchini! As much as I love seeing them around, they’re my biggest garden nemesis. I’ve tried everything—radios, fake owls, plastic ribbons, solar lights—but nothing seems to keep them out.

Then there’s my furry crew. Dalilah, my adventurous garden snacker, is particularly fond of fresh cucumbers. She loves to waltz into the garden, pick out the juiciest cucumber, nibble on half of it, and leave the other half for me to discover later. She’s even developed a taste for snap peas, so I’ve got to keep an eye on her when pea season rolls around! Daisy, on the other hand, seems to have a love affair with my garlic, onions, and lettuce patches. She picks a spot, rolls around, and then takes a nap right in the middle of it all.

And don’t get me started on the local wildlife! Rabbits, squirrels, and turkeys are frequent visitors, multiplying by the dozen each year and making off with my lettuce and other garden goodies.

Most recently, I’ve had an unexpected guest—a bear. As majestic as they are, my new visitor landed a spot on my naughty list after wrecking my garbage cans and part of my garden. Let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty sight after the bear had its way with my plants!