Can Type A people really Grow a Garden?

Now that I am into my gardening project, I can see perhaps why I have never been successful in the past.  I want results and I want them now!  I planted in March only to discover that my plants are so tiny and not exactly the size I thought they would be by the middle of May.   I let my doubts get the best of me and I bought a tomato plant, some broccoli, a cucumber and a cantaloupe plant for insurance in the event my garden fails. 

I’ve built my raised bed, made several trips to the composting place to obtain some great garden soil and put up a critter screen that has worked thus far.  I have planted my tiny plants along with the store bought ones and have been more than frustrated to find out that I most likely do not have enough room for them all.  It takes a lot of room to garden.   I still need to plant the cucumbers and cantaloupe in the ground with some more of my broccoli.  I think my radishes perished somewhere along the line. 

Who wouldn't be motivated with a crop like this?

My lettuce that I planted in a barrel is stellar.  In fact, I am more than proud that I accomplished such a task.  I will however tell you that I am learning so much from my experience.  In an effort not to eat all of it in 4 days, I held off harvesting it.  Now I am finding that the large size leaves are getting bitter.  I am waiting to see if any of the cut lettuce grows back.  I am also planting some new lettuce in various spots (space is limited).  Upon reading up on lettuce, I discovered that if you eat a lot of lettuce you should plant 3 sq. ft. of lettuce for every person in your house.  Wow, do I have a lot to learn!  I have decided to build another bed this summer to devote to lettuce, spinach, chard and kale that I will hopefully plant in the fall.  Stay tuned for another post next year!  I think I’ll plant in rows and alternate planting dates.  I think that is the only way to go.  As with anything, I will have to learn by doing.

The plants you see are store bought. 

If you look extra hard you may be able to see my home grown tomato plants.   I wonder how long it will take for them to look a respectable size.  

Too many leek seeds planted.  

Thinning out leek plants doesn't give me the feeling that they will survive.

 When thinking about the slow growth in my garden, my gut reaction is that I just need Miracle Grow and a strict feeding schedule.  After reflecting on it and being told that my soil is top notch and doesn’t need any additives, I was forced to evaluate what is actually holding my garden back.  The answer…….ME!  Being a little over zealous and planting several seeds in one pod was insurance that something would eventually grow.  Well it did but when I transferred the germinated seeds to the box garden, I failed to thin out the seedlings and transfer them to the new soil.  I just put the pods with 4 – 8 sprouts into the ground and started watering them.  This week, I began to soak the ground, dig up the seedlings, separate them and replant them in my nutrient rich garden soil.  It’s only May and with time and attention, these plants will surely grow.  I may have too many tomato plants but I do have a plan to transfer some to another bed as they get bigger.  Being Type A, I of course have overplanted but I at least have a plan! I’m sure I’ll be donating these plants to a worthy home within the next month.  For now, I think they are ok.  I’ll just keep the more stellar plants. 

On left is the broccoli from seed.  On the right, from the store.

My neighbor has just finished planting his garden for the summer.  All his plants are super hardy, several months old and his has the look of a serious gardener.  In reality, his garden is so much more in line with my expectations of my own garden at this time.  Mine looks more like a mud box. My Type A personality is trying to squash my efforts but I have vowed to put on my blinders and enjoy the process that I started. Common sense tells me I will get results if I am patient.  What I have discovered is that I really do like working outdoors planning, planting and creating. I love envisioning the end result and I am willing to take the time this year discover and embrace the process no matter what the outcome.  I plan to grow my knowledge of gardening instead of just trying to get fast results.  If all goes well, I will be the envy of all vegetable gardeners in a few years.  For now, I need to keep it small and doable.  The thrill of the bumper lettuce crop is all I need to reflect on when in need of validation that I can truly succeed if I put my mind to it.  I believe that a Type A person can be successful in gardening and learn so much about life at the same time.  The frustration I have experienced from wanting everything right and picture perfect has really been a blessing in disguise.  My garden, although very young is humbling and teaching me to cultivate, grow and harvest in ways beyond words.