Helpful hints to keep you out of a Pickle

Though, I by NO MEANS claim to be a gardening guru, an environmental expert, or nature whisperer OF ANY SORTS lol, I do want to share my recent adventures in growing my very first batch of cucumbers with anyone interested in doing so themselves. Like previously stated in my intro blog, I once was a cold-blooded plant killer! I'm not proud of the lil lives that ceased to be or the numerous casualties committed while I honed in on my inner green thumb, but it is what it is or was what it was.... and at least now, I think most plants have a pretty fair chance with me as a good little gardening mum! Nurturing them happily along into the beauts they will become on this lovely spot in the world :) So, yeah maybe I'm a tad overzealous about my recent success in being able to grow ANYTHING or keep any plant form alive, but I know plenty of gardening newbies that could use as much help as they can get!(I once was one of those couldn't keep a cactus alive people too, and I still encourage any and ALL information, tips, and true expertise to help me grow as a gardener or just a better, more eco-friendly human being... see what I did there hehe, I'm a cheeseball, I know right!) Moving on to a few helpful tips for the first time cucumber grower:

 These are two from my very own garden and they looked and tasted much better than the tiny store bought ones I had in my fridge, but that might have all just been in my head :)

 though my photography skills are a bit lacking, here is proof of the cucumbers latching onto a nearby branch

 They have literally taken over ....

 They actually battle it out with everything within their reach so give them room lol

     1. If planted in good, decent soil in mounds or hills (not flat level ground or planted in a hole like most plants) with ample sunlight and water, Cucumbers will GROW. This meaning, be extra sure to give them sufficient space to sprawl out because A. they will sprawl either way B. they will take over and even possibly smother other plants nearby including the other cucumbers searching for their lil spot in the sunlight. No joke! Since my growing or gardening experience hasn't always been successful, I didn't heed some of the internet advice that I had discovered. I almost assumed that my cucumbers wouldn't be very successful lol. This being said....BELIEVE ME, these guys want plenty of space and they should even be given a little extra room in your garden to prevent UFC style battles with other cucumbers or nearby plants and structures. If you have the room, give it to them and plant them approx 8 in. apart about three/four seeds per mound.

     2. Cucumbers are climbers. So give them lattice, a ladder, or something to climb upwards on. I'm not talking a tiny structure, I'm talking height!!! My cucumbers have actually climbed up so much that they have latched onto nearby tree branches, No Joke! Give them horizontal space and plenty of vertical space to latch onto.    

     3.These little guys like plenty of sun and a good, frequent drink of water. I water mine daily unless it rained that day than that amount should be substantial, but if it was just a little sprinkle and they look dry or thirsty water them. Just like anything else though too much of a good thing is bad. Don't over water them and don't neglect to give them a drink on a hot, sunny day.

         

Everyone can have a Green Thumb!

So Today, this glorious day, I officially try my hand at this whole blogging thing and can now dub myself a "blogger!" Honestly....I haven't the slightest idea what I'm doing, but HEY, I'm giving it a whirl! I've always enjoyed writing not so much grammar (hehe) but writing as in expressing one's self through words. Poetry, personal journals, song lyrics, books, journalism, and now the more modern art of blogging, they are all great ways to express ourselves through words and get to know others better and connect through words. With that being said, words are powerful, words can inspire or hurt people, lift folks up or tear them down. make you smile or cry. Words are an expression of who we are, who dream to be, and where we come from. Words are not merely words they are emotions, feelings and a whole lot more. I suppose, I want to share my quirky one-of-a-kind words with the world. To even just inspire one person to get more in touch with nature or their funky creative side, or encourage them to smile a little more and worry a little less......than I guess I could consider this blog a true success because my words made a difference and that to me is what blogging is about. So let's get down to business a'

Many moons ago....I was the black widower of house plants. Sad, but I'm not joking, I was where house plants came to die. I had a black thumb instead of green thumb and I couldn't even keep the hardiest plants alive lol!You name it, I killed it. Aloe, bamboo, ferns, spider plants, cacti, and the hit list goes on and unfortunately, on. I was a cold blooded cactus murder, I'm not proud of it, but I embrace my horrible roots lol and I have since grown into quite the good little green thumb. I LOVE GARDENING NOW, it is no longer a depressing inevitable plant death to me. I actually just harvested my very first cucumber from little garden! I came along way huh?! From house plant murderer to harvesting my own cucumber! I now want to encourage all plant murderers and say if I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT too! It might be intimidating and discouraging at times, let's face it...not even the best gardeners have a 100% success and survival rate. Yet, I believe even the most serial plant killers can have a green thumb with a little determination, knowledge, and hard work. All most plants really want in this life is a little or a lot of sun, water, room to grow and space of their own, decent soil, some TLC, and occasionally some nutrients like fertilizer. YEP, IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE.If your plant likes a lot of sun make sure it gets a lot of sun, if your plant likes shade give it shade, if your plant is thirsty well give it a drink, but don't drown the poor dear. Getting your green thumb on really isn't that hard, I promise!!! Just do a little research on the desired conditions of what ever kind of plant you are trying to nurture, apply that knowledge, and supply that little beaut with what it needs to grow and you'll be amazed at how easy and utterly awesome gardening can be!