Garden Decision

My spouse has made a reluctant decision.

He's been gardening in a community garden in Binghamton, New York since around 1987 (with a gap of perhaps three years when the garden was discontinued - it later started up again in a new location).  For many years he had two plots.  In 2018 or 2019, spouse downsized to one plot. Two plots had become too much.

Then, in 2019, a fall caused injuries to both shoulders.  Despite physical therapy, he has various shoulder issues, although the therapist taught him various workarounds for everyday life.

In 2020, I was able to obtain my own garden plot in a raised bed box section (my back issues made me eligible, at least in my own mind.  I think anyone can get one, but they are intended for people with physical limitations that impact their ability to garden.)

Now, my spouse is going to join me.  He is attempting to rent a raised bed box (apparently there are a couple that were never planted and are going to be reassigned) in the same community garden. Next year, he plans to give up the remaining in ground bed that he's had for so many years.  The raised beds are smaller than the inground plots, but are so much easier to maintain.  The one drawback is that deer seem to zero in on the raised beds, for some reason.

Change is hard but I think he is making the right decision.

For today, I wanted to show you some of the plants in "my" raised bed, which we both are tending since he is retired and I still work part time.

I decided to take these pictures a bit more closeup than I would normally, because I enjoy seeing the textures of these plants.  

Lettuce check these raised bed beauties out.

First, of course, lettuce.  So far, knock on wood, opaque row covers are keeping the deer away.

Zinnias.  Deer don't seem to bother them.  They don't seem to bother tomatoes or peppers, both of which we also have.  Some of the raised bed planters put up temporary fencing.  We may have to, also.

And, also under row covers for now, winter squash.

I'm not sure, if we get the second raised bed box, what we will put in there.  It's almost time to think of fall plantings.  Time is going too quickly!

So are the years, as we recognize the changes in ourselves as we age.  We are still just as capable as ever.   We just have to tackle things a little differently.