Sharing some thoughts about this year’s garden. Can I do it again? Should I? ~ Urban gardener turned homesteader documenting life with cats!
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37 Comments
Good morning Kaye ☀️ You have a lot on your mind, and I understand. If we sold our place or something happened to us, I truly believe nobody will maintain everything the way we have. We are pretty organized and I used to think we should probably start getting rid of things, but after watching your video, a light bulb went off. My son and daughter in law can keep/toss whatever they want. We all have many things in our homes that we don’t need, but if those things bring beauty, comfort, and good memories then I’m keeping it, and I’m not going to worry about what happens to this when I’m gone or have to live in assisted living. Enjoy all that you have and eventually we all will lighten our load for one reason or another. I love sweet potatoes and their beautiful vines. What if you planted just a few around the outside edges with some ladder mesh, and filled the centers with wildflowers or a thick layer of mulch. It would be pretty and less work, or thick mulch the whole thing, and enjoy the other areas of your property. I would love to purchase some of your heirloom peas 🫛 🫛🥰
Sit, relax, 🪴Take a deep breath and ask God 🙏🏻🌺🧘🏼♀️👩🏼🌾⛲️your answers might flood in or trickle in.
Big hugs for you Kaye 💛
Make friends with some young people who want to garden and learn the life skills you can share. You will be helping each other. Among them you may find some who will want to help you organize and maybe publish some handbooks from your massive data!. You may even meet the perfect heirs for your homestead. I am older than you are and that is what I have been doing. Your life will be enriched and you will enjoy your life and not fret about your passing. Churches, community gatherings ,even people you hire to help you may be the ones who connect you with people who will benefit from your work.
Plant what you can actually enjoy and harvest and if needed can or dry for future eating. For fresh eating foods, just plant what you eat and can use before it rots.
Smaller gardens are fun and beautiful too.
With indoor projects, start working on selling collections that your son will definitely not deal with. Give away or sell valuables. We have been selling on facebook marketplace and have enjoyed meeting people that collect and value these treasures. Also made some money.
I completely understand, Kaye. I am about the same age as you, and I am slowly working, bit by bit, on cleaning out my stuff that I have kept all these years. I also have new interests that have created even more stuff (my handmade soap/bath products) and have recently started to learn how to crochet. But gardening is my one and true love and I intend to do it for as long as I am able. I have told my kids that they will have to pry my gardening trowel out of my cold, dead hand. lol. I can't imagine what my life would be without it. But, I don't have gardens nearly as large as yours. I do have plans for new gardens, but I take them one bite at a time. One thing I have learned is that it is important to do the things that give you joy. You only have one life, it's a waste to not pursue what makes you happy.
Do you have any 4H groups near you, that you could get involved in learning from you and can help care for your gardens. You would have to vet out whoever you let into your life. I understand, to a small extent your dilemma, but that is a lot of work to take on by yourself. I pray you can find an answer sometime soon. God bless you.
I bet if you put the word out that you have land that needs work, you would find some young folks who want to garden and don’t have land and/or who want to learn. It’s a great way to continue your legacy of gardening. So many young folks want to learn gardening and need land and a mentor. As for the stuff, I have told my people to keep what they like and let go of the rest to bless other folks who might like it.
Focus on the Lord and ask Him what you should do. It may take a lot of asking but do it in quiet moments with Him. He will tell you.
Ask young people ate they interested. Praying your dellima be solved and someone will carry-on your beautiful garden. I agree we think of this at rhis agevin life. Its hard my husband says if anything happens to me he us just going to load it all up and take it to the dump. 😢 my canning things amd gardening. 😢 God bless you❤
Maybe your neighbors may have family that would like to be caretaker gardeners of the 5,000 sq ft lower garden?
We all go through stages in life and I find myself in exactly the stage you're in. There are helpful You Tube videos for people over 60, 70. 80 that helped me immeasurably. How to clean out mind clutter as I had jewelry business, flower show judging, crafting supplies, gardening etc.and I don't want to leave a mess for my children to deal with. I strongly advise searching You Tube for helpful videos. Why not bring in a church group or food kitchen group to farm your allotment and donate the food grown and take some for yourself as payment.
https://youtu.be/sGQW8Tx78hM?si=CLnVJZR7-oxzvfZS
Always here ms Kaye ❤
Hi Kaye. I relate to a lot of the thoughts you're pondering. I left California for SW Missouri, where I've got a small garden on a few acres. Food gardening in So Cal was almost impossible for me, so this is new to me. This will be my 5th season. I didn't have kids and I'm single and find myself needing hired help to do some of the things that make gardening easier. I also realize that when I'm gone, I doubt that anyone will want much of the things that hold my memories. I'm thankful for what I have and for what I am still able to do. It's a sobering season of life.
When we stop doing things that bring us joy we begin to stop. You inspire me to do so much more than I’ve been doing. We are very close in age. You’ve inspired me to do so much more than I have been doing. Work is so good for us, keeps us healthy and gives us longevity. Keep on keeping on. We’ve still got a lot to accomplish. Take a few naps and eat your wonderful plants. Watch a blue zone movie.
My garden is about the same size and I've been wondering how long I can keep it up too. I'm 66.
Do your garden Kaye!!! You love it. I'm about same age as you so I know the challenges!! KEEP GOING GIRL!!!
Can you have the straw or wood chips you have cover the areas you don’t want to plant? Maybe that will reduce weeds
If you leave them dormant
More life less work 😉
Kaye, I'm in the same dilema with boxes upon boxes of pictures. Do I just throw them away? It is like throwing away my life. When I say boxes I'm talking about a cedar chest and 4 large plastic totes. Your cottage garden plants at the end of the video….wish you would have panned out so we could see where those were located. Beautiful just beautiful. Loved your chat too.
Blood meal helps repel raccoons
I totally get what you’re saying! I’m 73 and starting a garden that I have to struggle through because I have injuries that have handicapped me. But I know we’re going to need food. Our world is crazy! I live alone and cant depend my children to help because they have their own lives. I don’t have the finances to hire help. I would love to find someone to help in exchange for free produce. God bless you!
I have disability issues but I love gardening so I made my garden very small this year. I thought you mentioned you were going to make your garden area smaller. Some people here in Pennsylvania rent out part of their land to farmers
I'm in the same boat, the disorganization of a creative : ) Can you cut the garden in half? You can't stop doing something you love. Planting & transplanting brings joy, and is the hope of things to come. Old videos/slides can be transferred to digital, either by an outside company or do it yourself. (learned how to do it myself and it's easy and fun to do). Then you can create another "home movie" channel and upload all of your digital slideshows and vhs tapes to your channel so that you can watch them any time. And also share with friends and family. Many others love watching old videos too for the nostalgia ♥
What a treasure trove of a person you are! This is garden time…we might not get a season like this again. Think of what you love and enjoy. Dont worry about quantity but making gardening easier on you. Id say there are students in growing plants etc that would love to help for a semester or during summer break. Your such a wealth of knowledge and those who love what you do, would love the chance to learn and grow along. Plan this fall and winter to work more thouroughly on organizing and condensing. Dont feel in a rush to decide to downsize thibgs you value just yet. Your feeling overwhelmed…because theres a lot. One step at a time. Make plans, schudule a little time for each thing. Garden smarter, not harder. I try to concentrate on a row at a time, leaving everything else covered with what i can till im ready again. Cardboard and compost and mulch. If you dont get around to covering it all. Then grow cover crops on the part you cant get too or plant the things that can cover in place. If nothing else chaos garden and throw seeds everwhere…lol i wish i lived next door. What a dream of a neighbor gardener among all your other talents. I love to listen to you talk and show things. Please take care of yourself and use your garden coffee time to listen. God will guide and answer your prayers. Question? What do you want, what do your need and what doesnt matter or gets in the way of that!
Have you considered “renting out” spaces in your garden where people could pay for their spot by helping you in labor by working in yours? That way it’s easier on you and you could do more of the things you enjoy like growing vegetable and flower seeds. Since you love that part so much you could also sell the starts to them and the general public. Just a thought…
Great video Kaye. We have been cleaning out for about 5 years. Getting rid of absolutely everything. It is freeing. 2nd time in my life I have done this. First time for Reedy. We pick a theme or chore every year and downsize/declutter/delete or just totally change that process to make more sense at our ages. . This year is actually 2 themes – first is kitchen appliances and anything kitchen that we hadn’t used for a long time is gone. Today was the last batch for that. We donated it all to the American Legion for a sale they are having. We are today down to 4 plates, 4 cups, 1great set of knives, a food processor a Vitamix and a Breville Barista. etc – you get the picture. We are down to those few things. A great set of knives and who needs the Emeril Lagasse pasta and more machine, the 3 Freeze Dryers, 4 dehydrators (except kept 1), commercial mixer, etc. All gone.
The second theme was changing from large scale gardening to eating fresh. We still grow all of our vegetables, and we raise a large portion of our meats but we no longer can, dehydrate or freeze dry. We eat what is growing year round in our greenhouses and about 50 pots, and what we raise in meat. We still have abundance in food. I’m happier and so is Reedy. We had a 2 acre garden plot that always about killed us (between the Johnson grass and 100%+ temps) but produced a ton of food. It was hard decision to make but we are not growing that way anymore so we don’t have to kill ourselves all summer. Lettuces now comes out of indoor hydroponics, as well as tomatoes, peppers etc are being grown in hydroponics inside of three greenhouses. Year round.
I’m sorry for running on, but these decisions have been so difficult. I know you have a hard decision, but for us, we won’t turn back. It just made sense for us. Can’t wait to hear about your conclusions and what you decide to do.
You're wise to be thinking about your legacy, when you're gone how can your things help someone? Does your church have a food program?
With the threats of food shortages, this is the year I will push myself for self sufficiency.
A must in my book.
Kaye, I could have made this video myself. I have 15 4×12 ft. raised beds. I’ve loved gardening for many years. I’ve been like your mother, I have medical problems-RA and a very bad back-but I’ve soldiered on. Last year’s garden season was very difficult for me-the pain and fatigue were so much worse. I decided I wouldn’t plant this year but I have done it!! Also, I had major surgery a couple of months ago and the little stamina I had previously simply hasn’t returned. I told my husband I’d plant and if I’m not able to gather it I’ll simply make a few phone calls and open my garden to whoever wants it. I also need to be tidying up my life-my daughter will be so mad if I leave all my ‘stuff’ for her to deal with when my husband and I are gone. I’m feeling your pain, lady! We’ll both get it figured out I hope! Take care! ❤️
O k lol I know my comments in the past mite have come across Harsh but NEVER ment to be .I know I told u I Hurt my back years back an watching ur channel was an still is a blessing. When I recovered an sold out my huge market Farm I had I Really look at what I ate in a 3 year time an what to plant from there .No more ground level planting an Nothing that can't be watered but SIMPLE watering system IE two 50 foot hoses. Once I discovered how much food I enjoyed an Really could Glen from such system I has not only become joyful an Not killing myself. I belive if you set out a FB post or local shouts you could let young backs have a plot it would bring life to your land an heart❤. Put YOUR mask on FIRST remember so u can enjoy this next season ❤
You are wise thoughtful hard working and have the ability to make excellent life decisions. Maybe try to do less garden and spend time organizing your things. Maybe try for next year to have auto watering via timed drip if you do not have that already. That pesky cistern is also the issue probably although you may have already bypassed it. I know you will do fine! Be encouraged. You can also plan for what may come in five plus years as much as possible financially, health and life-wise etc. Do check your legal advisor about renting out land for a gardener. Have to make sure your insurance etc. won't be adversely affected.
I wrote on the bottom of the things gave as presents from my family. Told them there it is. Keep it or trash it.
I fully understand, am about your age, and I manage a full farm by myself. I have to hire a young man to do the really hard stuff once a week, but I do the rest. I too took the winter off, and it was too short! Spring came early. I have several serious health issues, so I totally understand your dilemma. What should I do, and what should I not do? For your garden, you can sow a cover crop and that will protect your hard work of soil building, and take this year off from gardening IF YOU WANT, or just plant a few things. I had the same thought process…. my garden is half planted out already. LOL. Gardening is pure joy for me. I think your idea of finding a young couple is brilliant! I have livestock as well and just had a cow freshen, so I'm back to milking cows. Also pure joy for me. I'm slow. I hurt. But, wow what a life! A true privilege. Every morning I tell myself that I was gifted another beautiful day, and I get to choose what I will do in it. I don't have to milk cows – I can sell them! But, I love my beautiful milk cows. Just remember that you get to choose what you will do each day, and there is no right or wrong answers. Hugs. P.S. Your herb garden is beautiful!
Give some of your family's peas seeds to a seed bank. Maybe contact Baker Creek Seeds or Southern Seeds.
Many of us are in the same situation. I am 71 and collected small antiques for years, dishes, bronze statues and furniture. I even have my great great aunt's one outfit along with undergarments and a photo of her wearing it. She was born 1883. Letters back and forth from her and her brother, along with his school books. These were all preserved because my aunt never married and lived in same house she was born in. I own a brick ranch that is paid for. My two children want none of these things. This year my daughter in law says I need to start selling everything except the house although they don't want that either. I live in a college town (Purdue University) and my family prefers country. I have spent many years planting perennials, fruit trees, shrubbery and gardening. It is disappointing to know I won't be able to physically do what I use to do. I hope whoever owns this land when I am gone will appreciate some of my effort. You might want to consider share cropping where you ask for some produce from the garden and let them do the work and keep most of the produce. If you are like me, you grow more than you can possibly eat. I think I actually enjoy the process of growing more than the eating. One mistake I admit to. I planted six peach trees and the squirrels take a bite out of peaches when they are golf ball size then throw them on the ground because the fruit is not ready. I didn't realize at the time, when I was digging for those trees I got so tire afterwards, I took a 5 hour nap! I was telling my doctor about this a month later. Ran some test and I had actually had a heart attack. So be careful and don't over do it! What's the point of a huge garden if it kills you. If i lived closer, I would help you. I know a lot of your subscribers would. I really enjoy your content and your bamboo man, Darrell is amazing. I would never think to eat bamboo.
Keep planting… even if it’s just a cover crop or maybe pretty flowers such as sunflowers for the birds in those beds. Do what you love as long as you can Nice that the I stumbled upon your video.
You cant do it all at a certain point. I'm in Oklahoma, 60 years and I grow food in raised beds. They are large beds. We have lots of deer and with regards to sweet potatoes, I've had deer strip 80% of the leaves. I covered them and within 2 weeks all the leaves were back and I had plenty to eat. You might need to allow yourself to grow on smaller scale and close to the house