How Do You Feel About Slugs and Bugs?

On the heels of our powerful Spring Equinox and Super Worm Moon,
my respect for the Earth is heightened.

​Is yours as well?
 
Happy Earth Day!
 
The gardening season is beginning!

Do you like the idea of growing your own food
but slugs and bugs stop you in your tracks?
 
I know something about that! Here’s a glimpse.
 
The summer of 2003 was an especially rainy one.
Our seeds were sprouting faster than usual and our produce was prolific!

All good.
 
I picked some fresh lettuce for dinner one night, rinsed it and made a fresh salad.
I happily served a big wooden bowl filled to the brim with mixed, colorful greens to my family.
 
“EW!” my daughter Maria screeched, as she took her first bite of salad.
She jumped off her chair, pushing the salad bowl away
and scattering lettuce leaves across the table.
 
“A SLUG! THERE’S A SLUG IN MY SALAD! YUK! YUK! DISGUSTING!” She yelled.
 
My boys were fascinated by the slug
and walked over to her chair to get a closer look.
 
NO GO on the slug for Maria.
No slug, no salad, no dinner.
 
“I’m never eating another lettuce leaf from the garden!” she announced.
 
I blew it. Big time.
 
My sixteen- year old daughter, raised on fresh, organic produce
would only eat store bought, plastic wrapped lettuce from
a grocery store for the rest of high school.
 
I really blew it. All for missing one little slippery, slimy slug!

Fast forward to her first week in college.
 
“Mom,” she said on the other end of the phone line.
​“None of the fruits and vegetables has any taste here.”
 
Big smile.
 
Is gardening worth it, slugs and bugs and all?
 
I say YES.
 
I wish you a fun filled gardening season!
 
Love and blessings,
 
Deborah