The Curse of the Black Thumb

I've always known that I don't have a green thumb. This is a fact. I kill almost everything (every plant) I touch. I shouldn't even say almost, because I'm pretty sure every plant I've ever touched is now in plant heaven. Last year I decided to go to a nursery and speak to a professional about my problem. He chose a plant for me that he guaranteed I could not kill. He picked out the potting soil and the pot. He instructed me on how often to water it and how much sun to give it. I took her home, potted her, watered her, and named her Esmerelda. Three weeks later... plant heaven. Rest in peace friend.

So this year I am going a different direction. No more house plants for me. I'm growing vegetables! I've done my research and decided to plant a square foot garden. Apparently this is like vegetable gardens for dummies... definitely necessary in my case. For more info on square foot gardens you can check out http://www.squarefootgardening.com/. Its a real thing, I swear.

Drew and I went to Home Depot and gathered all the supplies to make my lovely garden. I was tempted to buy whatever soil was the cheapest, but the square foot garden insists that you use a very special blend of compost, peat moss, and course vermiculite. Drew won't let me make my own compost (he calls me a hippie), so I bought mushroom compost at the Depot. Who knew you could buy that kind of thing?

Home Depot didn't carry vermiculite (what is that?). So while Drew went home to start building the garden, I went out in search of the last ingredient which would ensure a lovely vegetable garden. I found it at Westlake Ace Hardware. The girl at the counter was chatting me up asking about my project... she'd never heard of vermiculite either. And as I told her about my past experiences with plants, she told me, "It sounds like you've got a black thumb!" WTF?!? I didn't even know there was such a thing. So now I'm out to break the curse! I will have homegrown veggies this summer!

Drew was super helpful! He'll use any excuse to play with his tools. He's my handsome handyman!

I had a really hard time finding gardening tools. I eventually gave up and just used the tiny rake left at our house by the previous owners. I'm pretty sure it is meant for kids, there is a picture of a happy cricket on the handle. Works great for me!

What black thumb?!? I planted cucumbers, bell peppers, and zucchini. Two square feet of each.

I totally cheated and bought some basil that has already sprouted. Surely at least this will grow, right? I don't even have to make it grow. I just have to keep from killing it. Say a prayer!!

So, after all that hard work and planting and searching for vermiculite... it poured rain for like 12 straight hours through the night. I'm no expert, but I don't think that's a great thing for my veggies. Damn thumb.