Yes, We Have No Tomatoes

My days as a deck gardener are just about to expire. This year, in early May, at the beginning of our Midwest growing season, I planted, in my sweet little deck-garden, seven tomato plants. I was ambitious and thought I would try some cherry/pear shaped minis and a couple of yielders of standard sized tomatoes. 

I was so excited when the plants started to take off and grow. In a few weeks, we installed some lofty cages to keep the towering plants from falling over.  Then, one morning, to my dismay, all of the leaves disappeared from the beautiful green tomato vines. I discovered big, fat, gross tomato worms chomping away on my gorgeous plants! This is a three story high, deck-garden, folks. Where did they come from? Luckily, the plants recovered a bit and by mid July, we were seeing teeny weeny cherry/pear tomatoes, quickly growing into healthy, but small fruit. 

Unfortunately, the regular sized tomato plants haven't yielded anything. We've had plenty of rain and lots of sunshine. I've fertilized and weeded. It's now August, and no fruit, yet. My thumbs are not green.

Then, along with the tomatoes, I planted 2 zucchini plants. I know what you are thinking, already. But, what did I know? They were just cute tiny little plants. WELL, they have remained bug free, of course. They are now huge, trailing out of the garden box and onto the deck. We have a plethora of zucchini. (Have you heard the joke...Don't leave your cars unlocked in Kansas, in August, 'cause your neighbors will gift you with a car full of their extra zucs."????) Two zucchini plants are two, too many!

 Those zucchini have been air-fried, breaded and deep fried, cut up in a salad and dipped raw into queso......etc. They don't taste like much of anything. Frankly, I'm not a fan. It could be worse. At least it isn't okra!!!!! Seriously, if you have a good recipe, send it my way. I'm willing to try to cook a few more.

We all have our own Gifts and Graces, and apparently vegetable gardening is just not one of mine.  Next year, I will only be planting flowers and we'll be buying our vegetables at Costco!

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 Gracious and Bountiful Lord. We thank you for our many blessings. We enjoy your world.