The Garden of Eaten

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters sponsored by

Hello friends, This week I can say I am living on the edge of crazy. Last night my editor, Selina Walters, told me that she had to move my deadline up four days. I decided to do my annual garden/independent living story. Today an infection that I had in my hand spread to my left arm, shoulder and chest and it was taking me down in a heartbeat. I went to one clinic, then a hospital where good people tried saving the day. I just drove home from that and Selina needs this column because she lives in a super remote area, meaning no reception.

Also, Selina has held this position since she was a junior in high school and she is flawless.

The garden! It’s not just a garden, it’s a way of life for me, kind of like heating with wood and having the stove in my living room. In the winter, my cattle are fed hay and grain in my garden, which is next to my house. The hay that does not get consumed helps my sand to hold moisture in the summer. Northern Juneau County has some of the worst soil in the state, not my garden.

I know it’s not right, but since I lost Michelle, the garden, my pond, the pups and firewood seem to be keeping me positive. I am damn good at gardening, and I have the right to be proud.

In a week I will start harvesting my first of four crops of sweet corn, and at about that same time my 26 tomato plants and five different types of peppers and onions and garlic will just be getting ripe for chili. Last year I made and froze 26 gallons in either one quart or one-gallon bags. I will use either elk, venison or bear burger, double bag the chili and Selina and I will have enough until next August.

Potatoes. I have 260 hills planted of Yukon Golds and Norland Reds. I still have some left from last year but have been sneaking some fresh “reds” for the perfect meal. Here is a very typical MGW meal. Norland Reds, either broccoli, peas or green beans fresh from the garden and either fish fillets or venison, elk or bear.

Selina is gone all summer and has been every summer since the end of her freshmen year at UW-SP. Because I know how much she likes fresh veggies, I just planted a crapola load of broccoli, bean and peas that will be ready when she gets home in late August. The third and fourth crops of sweet corn will also be here for her in September.

The chickens. I have grown a ton of zucchini. Though there is plenty now, the majority will be ready starting late August. Zucchini is fresh food for my hens.

The calves. Red my golden retriever pup loved the last group, and she loves this group as well and they love her. Red will hang out with them in their pen and in the pasture. She will taunt them into chasing her.

The pond. The pond is 15 paces out my front door, it is work and a learning process. About all I can say is that it will be the best TV on earth and will be deep enough to provide me with some panfish for the table.

I will swim, ice skate, fish and most importantly, look at it!

In closing, you can only imagine how close I came to losing my health today due to this infection. I have now been home from the hospital for a grand total of two hours. The pain will not let me sleep but it will pass, and the sun will come up in the morning!

Now I gotta send my jibberish to my editor! Sunset