Reaping the Rewards

My garden is starting to produce some very nice produce. Not much, but enough to make me happy to see the rewards of my hard work.

I love the garden. Ever since my dad put the 2 in for the boys, I have enjoyed all that came out of them. It may not be much, but it is enough to make the boys smile. It is nice to have the boys get something out of their garden when I am making dinner. Fajitas always need peppers and onions. And I make sure that I have some in the garden.

As you know, this year for my birthday I wanted 2 garden boxes of my own. I was tickled to see that my dad made them, put them in the yard and filled them with nice topsoil. In my 41 years, that was the best gift I have ever gotten from him. And that is a gift that I can use over and over again. Hopefully... if I don't decide on making a full garden next spring for us.

I have actually thought that I would love to have a full garden. With everything imaginable in it. Why? Because the fresh veggies are so much better tasting than what comes from the store. I know that my stuff won't be contaminated with only God knows what. This also would be a very good experience for the boys to learn how to take care of a real garden. Now, I hate yard work, but working in the garden, well, I love it. Don't know why, but I do. And I also think that if I am going to can my stuff, it would be better and cheaper coming out of my yard.

This year in just my 2 boxes I have planted onions, tomatoes, 3 kinds of lettuce, spinach, carrots, cucumbers and a few other things. I bought tomato plants, over fertilized and ended up killing 4. My dad replaced my plants for me. He went over to the local county high school and bought a bunch of stuff over there. I didn't know this, but the high school as a greenhouse. It is ran by students that are a little slower than your normal students. Most of them have a slight to moderate mental ability. So, my dad goes there to help the kids out. They plant the seeds, nurture the plants, grow them and then sell them for .25 each. It is a good thing for them to do, it brings in money to the FFA. I didn't know anything about the place, I will be heading there tomorrow. But for the kids to try and do this, it really is a good thing.

I know that PJ and I planted spinach at the same time. The one bed is growing a little slower than the rest, I think I have retarded plants. But the seeds that PJ planted in his bed and the seeds that I planted in my other bed seemed to have taken off . Also, the lettuce that he planted is just growing so fast that I will have to pick it soon.

Last night I went out to cut some more rosemary for some people here. I cut some back sometime last month, and it grew in thicker and fuller than it was before. This is good for people who like rosemary. Me, I tolerate the plant. I am not crazy about the smell, the taste is ok, but it is a pretty plant to look at, and very easy to take care of.

So, while I was out there I thought I would cut the spinach. Chuck kept saying there wasn't enough for dinner. Ok, let me look and see. I grab one of my huge bowls and start snipping away at the little bit that PJ and I planted (Eric planted his late, it will be ready soon). And before I knew it, the bowl was full.


I am so excited that this stuff is coming in like this. I know that gardening is hard work. But to reap the rewards, that is just wonderful. We didn't have this for dinner last night, but I do believe that this and grilled pork tenderloin will be a nice meal tonight.