Some day I'll be completely successful, some day....

The only thing that doesn't look gross is the basil. The watermelon was aided in successfully fighting off aphids and mealybugs (squished them and rinsed them off), but taken down by something that turned the leaves brown and crispy. Kept looking to see if it was spider mites...but don't see any. Not sure if I should suspect bugs or fungi...but it's very dry and I was very careful not to get the leaves wet. My husband overwatered it while I was gone a bit....so the only melon split, and the other one had a giant bite taken out of it and rotted (I suspect either the squirrels or the possums..some day I am getting a dog. Serves them right.)

The marigold dearest daughter planted was gorgeous (her teacher put it in a cup of MG potting soil....I garden organically with compost and stuff, but became too top heavy and is leaning. The coreopsis finished flowering in June and is sick. I can't figure out why. Turning brown and yellow. I swear to you I water according to the numbers on a water meter!

Gardening south of Houston is depressing. I can't even grow Lantana, for pete's sake. The morning glories are pooped out and look gross. The only vine I have left is the crossvine, which is, of course, fine.

I am thinking I will cut all down except the basil and plan for cooler weather or mulch/compost and wait until February.................ugh.