I Did a Thing!

I don't know.... Maybe it was seeing both my son's gardens each time we visited, and going away with hands full of their bounty and a definite big case of "garden envy."

Or maybe it was the recent binge watching of Jeremy Clarkson, the farmer-wanna-be on Clarkson's Farm that made me feel like I could maybe grow... something? Knowing nothing about farming, he took us on a journey of trial and error, discovery, disappointment and the eternal battle with Mother Nature. When he finally was able to accomplish something, he'd comment in joyful voice, "I did a thing!"

Here's the Trailer for Season 1. (Disclaimer: There is some swearing in the dialogue)

So I decided I was going to try. I wanted to "do a thing!"

So this Mother's Day, my sons came over and scoped out the best location for sun, and whipped up a 4'x 8' garden box for me. I was excited to have it right outside my kitchen window. I knew if I could see it each day. It wouldn't get forgotten or over grown with weeds. Soon the box was filled with sticks and leaves etc and a good thick amount of compost and soil. Now what to plant?

Feeling optimistic!

At the local library I came across a seed lending library, where kind gardeners had shared some of their seeds in small manilla envelopes. I could "check out" up to 5 varieties. So, I took home green bean, green pepper, carrot, and summer squash and snuggled them into the dirt. I watered, watched and prayed that I might see some buds. To my delight, a few carrots bravely pushed up and then a couple of peppers and squash. Success!

When the time was right to plant, I visited Lowes to "fill in" my box. I must say, I was a bit ambitious. I mean, who wouldn't be? After all they look so small. Walking through the vegetable plants, they each seemed to be calling to me, "Take ME home!" and "I'll give you a good harvest!" So, I took home a zucchini plant, an eggplant, two tomatoes, rosemary and some sweet potato plants. On the way home, I had a mixture of buyers regret and excitement, like a kid who walks into a candy shop and her tummy soon tells her she bought way to much.

It's SO hard to say no!

Getting my hands in the soil, making a hole and welcoming the plant to it's new home was a special experience— somehow, connecting me to Mother Earth and the cycle of life in an intimate way.

Over the weeks, with lots of sun and a little,(or maybe a lot) of Miracle Grow, the plants have exploded! I seriously am being taken over by seeds gone rogue! I swear I can see those leaves double in size each day.

Here are the 1st year gardening lessons I learned:

• You can start small. You don't have to grow everything the first year.

• Don't over plant. Give you plants space to grow and they WILL!

• It is fun to talk to your plants and encourage them.

• The harvest is not the only success. Just trying to do a thing is a success.

• The seeds that didn't sprout despite my tender care, weren't meant to be, but they did have a purpose in teaching me to be a better gardener.

• Little seeds, no bigger than your pinky nail, can blossom into gigantic plants with the right care.

• Deer will love your fresh daily salad of sweet potato leaves that they nibble at night while you are fast asleep...dreaming of how good those sweet potatoes will taste.

• I am glad that I covered the bottom of the box with chicken wire before I put in the soil, so that animals could not come up from below to grab a snack.

• A raised garden helps with ground hogs and rabbits & a fence IS NECESSARY!

• Chipmunks and squirrels can still run right through the fence at lightning speed.

• Mourning doves and sparrows will LOVE to take a dirt bath in your garden. So cute.

• There is nothing quite as peaceful as going out to your garden, quietly weeding then giving the plants a drink each day. It will fill your soul.

• And finally, I am already thinking about how to expand this garden next year. A second bed? With a chicken wire arch between them for cucumbers?

  
  

  Pinterest... Here I come.

  
  

So today. I harvested my first two zucchini, with PLENTY of more squash on the way.

I highly recommend getting your hands in the soil. It literally is grounding.

And to be able to eat something that was just a seed a few short weeks ago,

grown with no pesticides, out in the fresh air, is AMAZING!

Hmmmm.... now what should I make with my bounty?