The Garden Fights Back: Weeds, Tomatoes, and a Sting on the Nose

It’s not perfect. It’s not early. But it’s finally happening.

This year’s garden started late—thanks mostly to the rain, which didn’t seem to get the memo that spring was over. Every time we had a dry spell, the forecast changed. The soil stayed soggy. And we stayed stuck with a pile of seeds and nowhere to put them.

We also made a new decision this year: we’re using ground liner to try and get ahead of the weeds. That meant more prep, more measuring, and more time crawling around in the dirt with a box cutter. Slower than we’d hoped, but less weeding (in theory).

🌱 What’s Growing Now

Even with the late start, things are finally settling in. The tomatoes have started to bloom, the peppers are showing signs of life, and the cucumbers are doing their best to vine through the chaos. And the green beans are wild are threatening to take over their section altogether.

It’s not pretty, but it’s growing. And that’s all we ask.

🌳 From Tree to Tomato Row

We’re also using mulch from the old oak we recently had to cut down. It’s covering the garden liner, holding in moisture, and softening the look of all that black plastic. It wasn’t planned, but there’s something comforting about repurposing that tree—it shaded our place for years, and now it’s protecting the next season’s food.

🐝 Bees in the Beds

The bees are doing great—if anyone’s having a banner year, it’s them. They’ve been all over the clover and squash blossoms, buzzing through the tomatoes, and working the the ranch like they’re on contract.

We’ve only had a couple of stings so far, both to Alli and Abbi. They learned, as all country kids do, not to swat at flying things near your face. No drama, just important lessons in pollinator etiquette.

🧤 The Takeaway

There are years when the garden is tidy and perfectly timed. This is not one of them.

But there’s food in the ground, flowers in bloom, and bees hard at work. And honestly, after the spring we had, that feels like a win. We’ll see what this harvest brings, but for now, we’re just glad the garden decided to fight back.

📸 Around the Ranch

👂 Your Turn

How’s your garden looking this year? Are you fighting weeds or beating them? Have the bees been kind to you?