Today the hubby tilled the entire space breaking up some ground we haven't used to garden in before. He covered it all in compost and it will get worked in as I hand dig the actual beds for all of our seeds and starts.
All of the seeds I need to get stared indoors are cozy in their recycled containers and staying warm inside the house by a window where they can get sun.
As I look at the space where all of these wonderful plants will go, I silently hope it's big enough. I'm sure my husband thinks it's plenty big after tilling it all day.
I'm considering using some space in the front yard for some herbs, so they aren't taking up space in the main garden. I have a bed out front that I have tried to make beautiful for years with no success. Every year my neighbors tease me when I pull out the shovels to start digging. The biggest issue with the space is it's overrun with this grass that has a bulb at it's root. Those bulbs are plentiful and it's impossible to sift through them all. My plan for this year is to literally replace this soil. I am going to remove the current grass and soil and distribute it all over my front lawn (I use lawn loosely) and bring good soil from the back. I'm going to compost it and see how that helps.
I always look forward to the time when we can get the spring/summer garden. It's like a time of renewed hope and the anticipation of an abundance of my favorite foods. Don't get me wrong, I've been introduced to some awesome winter fare this year thanks to our CSA from Farm Fresh To You, but nothing compares to a fresh, homegrown tomato, or cutting herbs for recipes from my own yard.
Since the moment we began to plan this year's garden I have found so many forms of inspiration. My friend, Savannah, in Ireland is posting on her facebook almost daily about the tasks she is accomplishing around her homestead. I love seeing her pictures and hearing about the ins and outs of her garden. I read tons of blogs, research all different ways of gardening, and pretty much notice my time is split between being in the garden and wanting to be in the garden.
I've recently met a gentleman here in our town, through a mutual friend, who seems to see my vision for gardening, sustainability, local and organic eating in the same way I do. Reading through his blogs, one here and the other here has been a great inspiration to me. He has started a business helping people design edible landscapes and I think it's a brilliant concept, one I have considered myself from time to time. I know there are more people out there like us and I am finding them slowly, but surely. I still get looks from people, as if I'm crazy, because I own chickens and my back yard is basically a food producing garden and not the typical manicured grass and roses most people have these days. It's funny I say that because my front yard is basically lawn and roses.
I'm so excited to share our experience with anyone willing to read my ramblings. Here are some pictures of what we accomplished today! Until next time, happy gardening!
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| After a few passes with the tiller |
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| Tomato seeds |
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| While my husband tilled, I started seeds |
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| Recycled egg carton as seed starting pots |
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| After compost |
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| Starts all tucked away until it's time to transplant |
^_^
ReplyDeleteYou know, last night I couldn't sleep and was thinking about your garden and how you could fit more back there. Have you looked into vertical gardening? You could attach PVC pipes with holes drilled over it and grow strawberries up the fences ^_^ And then there's grapes, and canes and growing certain fruit trees espelier (sp? Trained along walls or fences in any case). I tend to go over board but I figured you'd be interested ^_^ The tilling looks wonderful. Can you access cheap stone or bricks? You could make a keyhole garden for herbs in the front - look it up on youtube! <3