LONG TERM GOALS

When I picked out seeds from whatever was available on store shelves last spring, I hadn’t measured the space or paid attention to how much sunlight fell on the yard. Most of my packets were vegetables I sowed without thinking what they needed and two packets of flowers—one marigold and one “wildflowers.” The marigolds grew. There is still a clump out there. I’m not sure how many baby wildflowers I picked, mistaking them for weeds. Rather than fill the whole space with vegetables again, I think I’ll give half the space to flowers—and hopefully see more butterflies. I have a lot to learn, though, like planting in waves and pinching everything. Apparently, pinching back inspires taller flowers.

One time I grew vegetables, and they were productive. Then the next time, I got hardly anything. I’m hoping that with more research and a better plan, we’ll have sugar snap peas, tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, and radishes. I had never heard of companion planting before. Mostly I’m hoping to avoid completely shading plants that don’t need shade, but, if one plant actually repels bugs that eat another, I’m all for that, too.

Maybe cone flowers will attract more butterflies

Madeline Vega

TELL THAT TO THE ANIMALS

As soon as I planted seeds last year, birds started to eat them. They (and the squirrels) ate more than 40 pounds of bird seed in 2020 after I set up a feeder. They’re messy eaters and those seeds grow. Maybe I’ll hide their feeder in the shady section. Last year’s grass is mostly still there. I’ll fill in the gaps, hope the local animals don’t dig it up again, and plant a new strip that I can walk down between flowers and vegetables.

Madeline Vega