planting rows- part two.

(read sowing seeds-part one, here)

we planted (most) our big garden on Saturday.

(our gardening mentors say we are a little late, but still fine)
this is a work in progress.
i am amazed at the beauty of a freshly tilled field.
this is what it used to look like...

from this... to this...

what a difference!!

i am a tiller by nature.
i don't let things sit for too long.
i am always messing in the dirt... and i like that about myself.

tiny basil plants are almost as cute as newborn babies-- don't you think?
many of our seeds grew into starts- some died and some we had to buy starts at the nursery.
i have always loved buying nursery starts... but this year i realized $1.99 for one pepper plant is a lot, compared to $2.49 for a whole bag of seeds.

i learned that seeds make a difference... i buy the more expensive seeds that are made for this area.
i am falling in love with the idea of a small greenhouse, warming seeds, watering them from the bottom, and watching them grow.
i have never felt this way before...
gardening is intriguing to me.
it's growing on me.
oh, i'm already planning next year!

drying out the potatoes so they won't mold when we plant them.

i already want to go buy a year supply of heirloom seeds to store forever in case we ever have issues with food.
and a generator.
and seed warmers.
gardening makes me feel so self sufficient.
we are going to have A LOT of food to deal with if our garden works this year.
i am SOO excited!

3 ft. between tomato plants.

i love the yard stick that we used to measure between plants.
and the old twine that was stretched tight  to keep the rows straight.
my kids are so excited for this garden- almost more than i am.
they beg to go every day.
they can't wait for a weed to grow so they can pick it.
(how long will this excitement last?!)
we use gardening as a reward for chores done.
they clean quickly and happily for a chance to come with us to the garden spot.

we pray for our garden every night.
we think about it every day.
as i was unloading my suburban full of groceries yesterday, drew said, "You know mom, you'll be saving a lot of money in 6 to 8 weeks.   AND we'll have fresh corn on the cob.  All because of our garden!"

planting corn...

when we are done with our big garden i'll show you a map of it...
we're planting lots of tomatoes, corn, sunflowers, peas, lotsa beans, cucumbers, celery, herbs, lettuce, peppers, summer and winter squash, POTATOES, brussels sprouts, purple cauliflower, eggplant, carrots, radishes, broccoli, cantaloupe, cinderella pumpkins and ornamental gourds.  we have apple trees and grape vines.
we have so many different variety of veggies- it's funny.
our vetran gardeners told us their favorite varieties, we spent a month studying the seed catalog to come up with the varieties that we want to try... and ultimately i found out i am a sucker for COLOR.
this garden should be colorful.

me and the kids are most excited about silly things like orange, red, and yellow peppers, purple potatoes, purple cauliflower, purple tomatoes... we'll see what we end up with.
and, lest you think the professor is not involved in this process, let me give a shout out to him.
i spend much of my time taking pictures, holding babies, and gathering cute labels to stick into the ends of the rows.
i'm poetic.  he's consistent.

FFA- future farmer of America?!!

todd is the brute strength and the hard work.
this is his garden that i am managing.
just so you know.

real vetran gardeners.

i plan, he executes.  i buy the fun plants- he keeps them alive!
he tends to the dirt... i tend to those getting dirty!!
and the dog-- i save the kids from the dog and the dog from the kids.

Bosley.  he's sweet- eve is terrified of him.

leah knows just how to deal with Bosley.

this is very typical of our marriage- a grand gardening coalition.

it's a start!!

i think i need to go make myself a salad.
have a great day!