Gardening

Recently, I've been feeling that pull to get in the yard and make it pretty because seriously, our yard is ugly.  I don't want to though!  Knowing we'll only be here this summer and maybe next summer, takes all my motivation away.  It also makes me miss my pretty Maryland yard and wonder what everything looks like this year.  We had never lived anywhere long enough to see the fruits of my labor until Maryland.  There, I was able to see shasta daisy seeds turn into a thick patch of daisies, see the practically dead black eyed susans that we rescued from Lowes grow and mulitply until I had yellow, happy flowers all over the yard, and see altheas that I clipped from a friend's yard grow into four feet tall shrubs.  So, back to this yard.  I don't want to spend the money or time because I won't see those type of plants mature, but I can spend money on veggies!

We have the perfect spots for a small vegetable garden outside our kitchen door.  A few weeks ago, the kids helped me pull dig up all the weeds.  Then we loosened up the dirt rocks and tilled in new garden soil that Dan brought me home.  Those bags are heavy - like 40 lb bag heavy.  The day I went to buy them, I changed my mind and went right back home.  Thanks Danny-Boy!

The kids had a great time helping me plant tomato plants and green bean seeds.  Sometimes they were too much help in such a small space, but I made it work.

We planted marigolds along the front of the bed in the hopes they will keep the deer away.  I don't know if it's true or a wives' tale, but our last neighbor swore by them.  I don't know if they'll keep out the bunnies, mole, fox, skunks, opossums and whatever other woodland creatures live around here too.  I am guessing we'll have a chicken wire "fence" in our future.

Next up is this yucky space.  I have plans for yellow squash and zuccini, but I haven't gathered enough energy to tackle the weeds.  It's supposed to rain tomorrow.  Thursday might be a good morning to pull weeds....or there's always container gardening.  For such big plants, squash have small root balls so it could work.

We'll see.  I've already made use of the cilantro I planted in a recipe last night.  It's going to be fun to be able to pick a few fresh things for dinner during the summer.