Country Living - I Can Garden, Who Knew?

When I first found out the house we would be moving into in PA had 3 acres the first thing I said was "we need a garden". I then wondered if I would be able to be a gardener. I mean really, I haven't had much success in the past keeping plants alive...a green thumb I have not.

I was determined though. I will have a garden, it will be awesome and I will not kill it off I hope. So after the move and after most boxes were unpacked we headed to Home Depot. The girls had a blast picking out packets of veggie and fruit seeds. I, still not really sure what to do with the seeds, looked around for some help. I found this cool little greenhouse seed sprouter thingy. I read the directions...okay, add water to the soil pellets, add seeds, fill bottom with water and cover. Seems easy enough, we can so do this!

And we did! Only a week earlier the girls and I had planted the seeds in each individual well and look what happened. We created life! Well actually it's not my first time doing that, I have done it twice before...*wink wink*....lol

This was plant life though and it was so cool. The girls were so surprised to see how those little tiny seeds transformed into this. Stage 1 complete. We planted sweet orange carrots, purple and yellow carrots, broccoli, watermelon, and English cucumbers.

During this time we had also planted a Topsy Turvy. Funny thing, the morning we went to Home Depot my daughter C had seen the commercial for the Topsy Turvy. She comes running over and says "mom, we can grow 6 different kinds of tomatoes!". She was so excited and so amazed by this product and being the big tomato eater she is I knew she would love to have it. So we bought a Topsy Turvy, 6 different tomatoes plants and even some herb plants. Did you know you could also plant herbs with your tomatoes in your Topsy Turvy? I didn't but C did....lol

Cilantro growing strong..

After 2 weeks C's has her first tomato buds...

Sweet Mint for my iced tea...

Basil growing out of control...

It smells awesome!

So the Topsy Turvy is going strong, the seeds have popped, now what do I do? I went out with hubby and scouted a piece of the property for a garden. Lucky for me my neighbors Lee and Linda told us that the previous owner had a garden there before, so at least I knew the soil was good. 

Next thing I knew my neighbor Lee was bringing over his rototiller and started tearing up the ground. Such a sweet man! He knew we didn't own which means me errrrr, hubby would be turning the ground by hand, so he came and helped us out. I love country folk! After that it was all up to me. I framed our first garden plot and transplanted all the veggies....that's right, all by my self! I have to say I feel pretty good every time I go out to water.

Garden and compost bin...that's right I am composting too. It must be something about the fresh air that makes me feel all farmy (is that a word?)

Our transplanted veggies and fruit

Not too shabby for a first timer I think. Recently we just added 4 strawberry and 2 crook neck squash plants. I still have a little room left so who knows what I will find next. Can't wait to see the finished products!

Oh and how is C's tomatoes doing? She now has a few growing. She was so excited to actually see them, what a great learning experience for the girls. Living out here, planting our garden, buying milk from the local dairy, fresh eggs from the farm...they are really learning where these things we eat come from and learning about sustainable ingredients. Fabulous!