July 2008 Journal Entry

The heat has been brutal and is always terribly depressing for gardeners. I have had however a very illuminating month, since I started the Maricopa Master Gardener program the first Tuesday of this month. I am learning more in depth the garden practices and facts that will ultimately help me with my "hobby", lol. I am a little obssessed and hobby just doesn't seem to accurately describe my interest in gardening. Terry Mikel is the instructor for the Master Garden class, and he is a fascinating fellow. My first impression of him was that he looked like Santa Claus on summer vacation, and wasn't the "studious" professor type I expected. My first impression was certainly far from correct. I have enjoyed him significantly, and he is very knowlegable in plant behavior and maintenance. The class certainly could be boring, but he makes the subject matter come to life with his peculiar side note comments and facts that I never knew. The class I am attending will end the latter part of October, and after 50 volunteer hours I will become a certified Master Gardener.

This is exciting for me, since I seem to attract all kinds of questions from friends about problems they are having with gardens and plants. This will help me be able to accurately help them, and also be able to help my community. I feel gardening skills are fast becoming more and more essential, rather than fashionable as inflation of gas, hence grocery prices are becoming higher and higher. Also, health scares from tainted lettuce, tomatoes and peppers from the commercial growers are helping people reevaluate the safety of perishable foods being purchased from the grocery stores. It was a little liberating to still be able to go to my garden and pick fresh tomatoes, when they were not available in the stores last month. Although to be honest the primary reason I garden is because I love it, and couldn't imagine the time when I would not be able to do it.

My garden as with many others are suffering from heat, and laziness from my part, (because I hate being in the heat). However, my yellow squash is stupendous, and running out my ears. We have been throwing it on the barbeque, mixing it with onion and peppers and giving loads away. To the chagrin of my children, it continues forth in production, despite the heat. I would definately reccomend it for anyone wanting some bounteous summer vegeatables in their garden. My papaya tree in the front yard is growing like a weed. It has been such a surprise to see it grow as fast as it has. Jeff and I have been dazzled by the new growth that literally is happening every day! Who knew? My sunflowers are bright spots throughout the yard, and I am always happy to have them brighten the other sad dead things that come this time of year. I always swear I will plant more the next year, and then forget, but I do love them. Finally, my grapes are looking better and trailing nicely on my pergola. In a couple of years, I think they will completely shade the structure. The grapes should provide shade over the garden in the next couple of summers, then lose it's leaves in the winter, allowing sun to filter through to my fall and spring garden. Thanks Garden Guy for that tid bit.