Some years we have planted vegetables.

Some years we have planted pumpkins.

Some years we have done it all.

Some years we have done none of it.

This year was the year that no vegetables or pumpkins got planted. Or, so we thought.

While mowing a few weeks ago, I noticed some vines growing along the ditch bank. I wasn’t sure exactly what they were, but they looked to be pumpkin or squash type vines. I also saw some on a large dirt pile we have out back. The vines on the ditch bank don’t seem to be producing anything, other than being a nice cover crop to prevent erosion at this point. We will keep an eye out though and see if any flowers appear.

However, on the dirt pile we have a nice little patch of pumpkins and gourds growing! This dirt pile is where the pumpkins end up when fall is over and they go soft. At first I was confused about the gourds. Then, I remembered we had bought gourds from the local farm market for some fall decorating last year. They must have ended up on the dirt pile as well.

Needless to say, our little accidental patch is a delight. My daughter and I go walking out every few days to check the progress. We haven’t really done anything to help it along. We figure that the seeds were sturdy enough to last the winter, and the rotten pumpkins and gourds were their own compost and fertilizer. The vines have grown on their own and are producing pumpkins and gourds through weeds and whatever weather that has happened. It may be best to let nature take care of itself and marvel at the results.

The interest has been sparked for an intentional garden or patch for next year. We hope to be as successful as Mother Nature.