One of the things that I miss most about the states is working around my house, and especially in the garden. Knowing that the Philippines was full sunshine and rain, I was excited to try my hand at gardening in a plant friendly environment. I started planting about a month and a half ago, and the garden got off to a stellar start. I began with 4 cucumber and 3 squash seeds. They all sprouted within 3 days, and I thought to myself, "This is awesome! We're going to have a kick ass garden." Little did a realize how much a snail can eat in an evening. At this point, our garden is more of a snail feeding ground than a viable space for growing vegetables. I've had more than 7 starts decimated overnight by snails. With each new feeding, my hope sinks and frustrations rise.
I finally wisened up and employed the help of some of the locals. I found some old screen that I've used to protect my starts, started seeds in pots before transplanting and have gone on a snail hunt each night before bed. I now how 4 well established cucumbers (1 of which is flowering), 1 flowering squash plant, 3 eggplants, 8 comote (sweet potato), 2 malangay, and 1 papay growing in my little garden. In pots, I have 2 cherry tomatoes (barely hanging on), sweet basil, lemon basil, and oregano. Still in starter pots are: 9 lettuce starts, 5 tomatoes, 4 eggplant, 2 bell pepper, and 2 cantaloupe. All of the plants look healthy, and I, once again, am hopeful that I'll produce something to eat in the near future.
Once established, I've noticed a whole new set of predators to productive plant growth. My cherry tomatoes have battled spider mites and mold, a thyme plant died, our corriander is barely hanging on, and the sun and snails were tearing through the basil. I've since switched location of my potted plants and spray with detergent water, and everything is looking healthy. Wish me luck.
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