One More Garden Lesson

[so lucky]

I started out to get a cucumber from the garden for supper, and realized the garden gate was open about 5 inches. I knew I had closed it, but didn't latch it, as it has been hard to open with the lush grass growing under it. When I got to the garden, I immediately checked on that nice big Better Boy tomato I have had my eye on. Only a couple more days till I could pick it.........
My heart dropped when I saw it--it was all nibbled out and hollow; only about 1/3 of the shell remained! Clearly, chicken lips had been nibbling on it. Looking around, I realized the straw was bunched up and scratched away from several areas, bare ground showing. My ever-blooming strawberries had been harvested.

I took the poor tomato in and showed it to my DH. "Oh yeah" he said. "I meant to tell you, the chickens were in the garden earlier." I said "Why didn't you say something???!"
"I forgot."

Lessons learned:
1: I must remember to latch the gate.
2: It is very difficult to garden, or anything else, with a spouse who has mental health problems.

 

[canesisters]

So sorry.
That can be pretty discouraging.

 

[desertlady]

you will need a big sign, saying Dont forget to lock up chickies !!!

 

[thistlebloom]

Oh, that's too bad. Hopefully there are many more big tomatoes in your future, and your strawberries will rebloom for you.

 

[ninnymary]

I feel awful for you. I've waited for something to ripen only to find it gone the next day.

Mary

 

[Southern Gardener]

Gardening with chickies running loose is a challenge. I was always chasing mine out.

 

[so lucky]

I'm just wondering if the wind blew the gate open or if yon red chicken (who has a lean and hungry look) figured out how to open it with her beak. She thinks too much. (lol)

 

[bj taylor]

gosh, that's lousy. those chickens have a special radar that helps them home in on anticipated produce