April 17, 2008
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At Last, My First Foray into Gardening!
Finally, after many many years of liking the idea of growing my own vegetables, I have taken action at last. For almost 4 years now I’ve had this great raised-bed organic gardening site complete with pond for watering available to me within easy walking distance, but I’d lacked the time or energy or motivation to delve into it. It was previously used as a community garden, but for various reasons folks stopped using it. I mentioned to my neighbors recently that I wanted to garden this year and would appreciate any guidance or aid from those with experience with whom I could share the harvest, and I got some takers. I feel so, so grateful that I have the time and the energy and the motivation to do this! It feels so good to just feel so good!
My neighbor JB grew up doing extensive organic gardening and has been passing on to me valuable tips and pointers. Yesterday he and RK brought up a very stout rototiller machine and both men lent some of their GREATLY appreciated higher muscle mass to tilling the highly overgrown beds. We tag-team tilled for most of the day – okay, so they tilled a lot longer than I did per turn, but I did give it my smaller all – and we managed to get both of the two good-sized beds thoroughly tilled! Then I raked the beds and planted my very first crops yesterday and today. I am very excited, and I am hopeful that at least some of the veggies will deliver a bountiful harvest in this my first year’s gardening attempt, enough for critters and for people!
Here are three action shots of us tilling: first JB then RK then me, followed by a shot of the first finished bed.
Comments (8)
this makes me happy. i’ve wanted to plant a little garden out in my courtyard for the last three or four years, myself, but know absolutely nothing about how to do it, how to start. i’ve been trying to get tips and pointers too, mostly through the internet and a friend of mine told me she’s my girl if i want any information and help. so…here in texas it’s probably past time to plant??? see how much i know? at any rate, next spring i’m going to be ready. just a few little veggies and herbs, to start. see if anything comes up after i plant. : )
sounds like you’re doing great, and i’m so glad to hear it. and waiting for something to grow like that, it adds anticipation and all. it will be so nice to see what comes up for you.
keep us posted with pics, i’m so excited about this.
~ lea (in case you’ve forgotten who i am. i apologize for not commenting more…things are looking up a bit here also. it’s just taking a while.)
Wow, that’s a lot of land cleared. I hope you have fun with your garden… and that the forest critters don’t eat too much of it.
One thing out there is that you probably have deer so you will need to plant things they do not graze on outside the garden several feet out. I used to know what to plant to keep deer out. I think lavendar was one thing. I am so glad to hear from you. Raising your own food will make you more self sufficient and give you hope and faith. I have a small garden. Since I bought a juicer this year will probably be able to use most all of it this year. Judi
Congratulations! I wish you a warm sun, gentle rains, and a plentiful harvest.
looks great, we had our first flower on the bleeding heart plants this year already, still a bit too early to plant the garden stuff.
I am only planting my cool weather stuff yet. Bush peas, sweet peas, and things like cilantro and spinach. Too cold for anything else yet. Judi
I had a big smile on my face while reading this. First, I’m so glad you feel so good! Second, I just know you’ll appreciate the veggies. I’ve always wanted to do a garden to, but, like you… the energy it takes just is overwhelming. I did plant 3 tomato plants in the flower garden. I’m hoping they will give me some nice yummy tomatoes.
Has anything started sprouting yet??
So, how has your garden grown?