Gardening in the Desert

 The farm has several gardens in different locations. We have these gardens about as the desert grants some uniqueness that needs to always be on the forefront. I have my major planting by June 1st as we usually have a hail storm in late May.  Last night we planted our largest hanging garden. 

Here are a few pics of the hanging garden in years past:

 

This was a lovely tunnel of so many colorful winter and summer squash. Even the heaviest of squash did remarkably well. 

 

This was one of the hanging gardens in a very rough build. We "built" this converting a clothesline into the garden using some free poles we found at the county transfer station(garbage dump).

 

We learned a few years ago to fence out critters. Sheep, goats and chickens have found ways to the fruit trees and gardens but the real worry is how lovely cool it is under the plants for rattlesnakes. We fence using construction/chicken wire to keep the slithering creepers out. Before the fence,  years ago we had a very large rattlesnake enjoying life under the zucchini. Even then, and now I can run. Like really. I just looked at the plant and saw the pattern of the rattlesnake and lightning bolt Jen took off.

 

In our hanging garden this year, we planted zucchini, zephr, pattypan, several varieties of cucumbers, small pumpkins, tatume, several varieties of melons and probably a bit more. 

Bonus Photo:

Even the "natural" clouds over the farm recognize that the Double Nickel is indeed where a great treasure is. For me, that treasure is simply home,

All because two people fell in love.
 

 

Tarantula Season

 The seasons are different here on the farm.

We have Hoodie and Shorts season, Shorts and Polo season, Tarantula season, Potholder season, The Three Days of Rain/Flooding season, Woodgathering season and then back to the beginning.

Honorable mention seasons:

 Holy Hail season usually in May.

Rattlesnake season is 24/7 365...

Mountain Lion, bobcat, coyote and javalina season are also 24/7 365 but not as terrifying.

Border season is a new one but becoming a very real one. Living as close to the southern border as we do has been pretty intense these past few months as the three properties surrounding ours have had intruders. It is real and is seemingly not an issue up the food chain, but it is to us. 

Oh and for the record, Tarantula season is not a scary one for me. The predators of the Tarantula are far more worrisome to this often barefooted person (well in the backyard). You see, the Tarantula Hawk hovers in the grass, and to step on one is going to ruin your next few days. 

And every season is a joyfilled season, All because two people fell in love!