As a child, I have fond memories of my mother's garden in the backyard of my childhood home. I remember going through and picking veggies for us to eat at dinner. I remember the amazing beef steak tomatoes that she grew that were the size of my head - ate simply with a sprinkle of salt.
I knew when we moved into this house that I wanted a garden. I loved the idea of having my girls help me plant, water and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Plus, we had all this land! Better make good use of it.
The first year I only planted garlic. I had a former co-worker who grew so much garlic, she gave me some to try myself! I didn't have a real garden for this. I just found a 3ft x 6ft patch and grew it there :)
I planted 8 garlic cloves that first year. They were beautiful.
It was also that same year that Ava was diagnosed with several food allergies.
One of which is garlic.
Separate post on all our allergies later. I ended up giving it all away.
We decided on a spot that got sun, was relatively close to the house (for watering purposes). My hose does not reach so I had to haul water to my garden (3 trips) each time. Who needs Crossfit? ;)
I didn't know much about gardening when I started. I just kinda went for it and it worked! I learned a few things along the way.
For one, I planted my plants too close together. It's hard to imagine them big when they are teeny tiny plants.
I need a better way to handle/manage my giant tomato plants.
I planted:
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Jalepeno peppers
- Green peppers
- Green beans
- Zucchini (I had like 6 plants!)
- Rosemary
- Italian Parsley
- Eggplant
It was way too much. Like waaaaay too much. I will scale down this year. Or maybe I won't, and I'll sell it instead...
Identified the location; built fence
A little help from Ava Mae
Some plants I bought, some I grew from seeds
I loved using fresh veggies and fresh eggs to make omelets for Steve. Truly a Farm To Table experience!
The following year, we got a pool installed in our yard. And of course it needed to be where there was full sun.
So, the garden came down.
I'm super excited to start it again this year, though.
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