Episode 5: Joe vs. Nandina dumbasstica – My Twenty-five Dollar Victory Garden Challenge from Joe Lamp'l on Vimeo.
The video posted with this blog entry chronicled a period spanning about eight days, finally wrapping up two weeks ago. It chronicles my battle with what I thought was a benign row of Nandina domestica, or as I prefer to say “dumbasstica”. I’ve removed and transplanted my share of these plants in the past, but I just don’t remember them ever being so stubborn to get out of the ground. This video will serve as a perpetual reminder to the contrary!
Now, fast forward to real time. The garden has progressed to the point that I’ve added the free compost from our local recycling center, built a physical barrier around the bed from free wood harvested from a demolished barn and cut down lots of bamboo to build the supports for my pole beans and a small critter fence around the perimeter.
All the seedlings are planted along with most of the seeds. Unfortunately, just as the garden was ready to plant, we’ve received over six inches of rain. It’s beat down the seedlings and turned the soil into soup. But so far, it’s really the only setback. But right now, I’m already at least a week behind so every day counts. I shared my discouragement with a friend and she reminded me that it was a great opportunity to remind others that gardening is full of surprises and we’re never really totally in control. The best we can do is manage our circumstances and play the hand we’re dealt the best way possible.
Wow, how right she was. This garden challenge is all about encouraging people that they can do it, even when the only thing they have to spend is time and even when things don’t always go as planned. I’m really excited about my garden and can’t wait to show you more videos soon to share the progress. Thanks for following along. The best is yet to come.
JL
About Joe Lamp'l
Joe Lamp'l is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning PBS television series Growing A Greener World. Off camera, Joe dedicates his time to promoting sustainability through his popular books, blog, podcast series, and nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Follow Joe on Twitter
Hey Joe,
That was GREAT. The last time I used a chain + truck to pull out some oversized root balls I removed more lawn that root ball I also realized I needed new tires and grass seed. My kids wanted to help me with the new garden picking rocks and placing them in the lawn, planting weeds, and weeding plants. good stuff so I’m not as far as I’d like to be but the journy can’t be beat. Thanks for the laugh.
Also, I’m glad the last orange comment didn’t offen.
Hey TC. Yeah, “You Dig” will be the mantra on all future Freecycle.org post for sure! I just don’t remember nandina being such a pain to get out of the ground.
Regarding the budget, out of pocket expense is still at $9.27. I had to buy some twine to bind the bamboo tepees together for my pole beans.
I’ve had a few questions regarding the broken shovels factoring into the budget. I’m not including those simply because it was my impatience that broke them. I knew I was at risk of doing this and could have hooked up the chain long before. Since broken shovels wouldn’t be essential to everyone elses garden, I’m making note of this but keeping it out of the budget.
Hey Joe, ya dig??! Ha ha ha!! I’m still chuckling over the trouble you had diggin those nandina out! And goin through two shovels in the process! I can’t believe you didn’t say “You dig” when you posted to Free Cycle. Oh well, it looks like you’re none worse for the struggle it took! I’ve had to result to “chainin” on more than one occasion myself. So, what’s the budget look like now?
“Gardening reality show” I love that phrase! And that’s what we really need right now…real people showing that it’s all a process and sometimes it’s messy. Good on ya, Joe!
Thanks Jeph. I love the being real part too. I guess I’m making up for 7 years of having to be someone else on TV and that’s just not how it really is, nor is it who I am. So yeah, this is fun.
Regarding the shovels, ironically the first one with the wooden handle really is one I’ve listed in my “Best of the Must-haves” lineup for several years. But with both tools, the prying is not something they are designed to do, so I can’t really blame them. I’ve tried steel handles, fiberglass and hardwood. Nothing works for very long if you start using it to pry. So, guess I need to invent a hybrid tool that is actually made to pry as well as dig…or is that already out there???
Matthew, I’m sure with a little more patience, I could have eventually made it down and under those primary roots. But hey, every time I thought I was making some headway, I heard another crack or creak. I’m sure those shovel guys won’t be happy to see the out-takes but in their defense, I know I went beyond what those shovels were intended to do. And prying is not a great way to ensure the life of any “digging” tool. But you know how it is, when you get in a hurry…
Steven, I guess you nailed it; this is a gardening reality show. What you see is what you get and that’s how I want it to be. I want gardeners to be encouraged but at the same time have realistic expectations of what it’s all about. Personally, I enjoy the challenges and in this case, it makes for a pretty good story, don’t you think? Thanks for your comment.
LMAO Joe – I honestly thought we were gonna see the nandina win and rip apart your pickup!! I honestly expected to start hearing some bleeps in the video.
So, um, are you going to follow up this entry with product reviews for reliable shovels? I’ve seen those green circle-handled products before and wondered if they were any good… Hmm…
And it’s funny seeing you all ‘real’ like this – not polished for television, but looking more like the rest of us do while we’re dealing with the stuff we don’t want in our yards. Case in point:
http://jephers.blogspot.com/2009/05/whats-buried-in-your-yard.html
Keep up the entertaining videos/posts.
Hey Joe,
I enjoyed the video and the music too. I like your choice of music on the podcasts and on here. Maybe a JL soundtrack CD? Anyways, would you have not broken the shovels if you kept digging around the bushes more before attempting to pry them out…just based on my own experience but then again those plants look like a pain to take out! I was cracking up after the end and watching the outtakes.
Hi Joe!
This is “gardener reality television” or in this case, vimeo!
This 25 dollar victory garden is a great project.
Your an inspiration. Keep going! Steven
Thanks Shirley. Yeah, the guy in the T-Shirt and messed up hair is the real me. I like the freedom of not having to be “all buttoned up” for real TV. I’m sure you get that! Glad you like the series. I”m having fun with it too. I always love hearing from you.
JL
Hey Joe-
You are a funny guy when you put your t-shirt on and rumple your hair! Love the out-takes. I’m enjoying watching you progress through your 25 dollar challenge.
What are you up to now? Still about $7 bucks?
Shirley