I’m really a terrible gardener. I’m impulsive, impractical, and a little erratic. Some days I’m super motivated while on others I am struck by apathy. I love starting seeds, but often start them at the wrong time. So far this year, I started kale and peas a little too late and zucchinis, basil, and gourds too early. Mostly, I planted flowers. I never get apathetic where flowers are concerned.
Putting in a proper garden has been our focus over the past month. I guess this is our quarantine project. Some of you might remember my garden at our previous home. We used a system of raised beds mainly because they allowed me to break the garden into obvious parts which kept me from getting too overwhelmed. At the new house, they also make sense because we’ve had to bring in good soil and I still like having the garden divided into defined beds. We plan to have two garden spaces, one of them in the front yard. My children find this very odd, but I love it. I like having a nice little working space right outside the door. It makes me very happy.
Jonny and I have never bought a new car. (Somehow, this relates to my garden story.) Generally speaking, we do not drive good looking vehicles. Our old Taurus, “The Beauty,” has blue painter’s tape holding up the ceiling fabric and it is somewhat loud. Kids know when we arrive to pick them up by ear alone. We especially love The Beauty because we didn’t pay for it. Jonny worked for a friend in exchange for it many years ago. It’s been a good car and I’m actually a little attached to it. Sadly, we’re going to have to replace it soon because it needs more work than it’s worth now. Our budget for the next vehicle is about 2.5K. You can actually get a pretty decent vehicle for that price, one with ceiling fabric intact. That’s somewhat exciting, but right now I’m not convinced that I’ll ever love another car like I’ve loved The Beauty. Anyway, while we won’t pay much for a car, Jonny did buy a somewhat expensive (for us) portable sawmill years ago. I can’t remember how that happened, but it must have been a good tax return year. The mill quickly paid for itself in lumber (Jonny picks up free downed trees) and through milling jobs. (I tell you these things just to give you an idea of how we operate.)
When I decided that this was the year for a garden, we didn’t have to spend much beyond a load of compost. Jonny milled a couple of large white oak logs that he was given to make raised beds. We will supplement those beds with rustic beds made from cedar logs that he also picked up for free. He’s always watching the free section on Craigslist (a blessing and a curse). Now he is taking down dead cedars from the forest around our house to mill into 2 by 2s to make frames to grow sugar snaps, tomatoes, and cucumbers on. If I actually manage to successfully grow these things, we may come out on top with this new garden. My track record for growing a useful amount of food is patchy, but I’m going to try. I’ll definitely have plenty of flowers this year and that is a good thing for sure.
Shortly after I planted out my little kale and lettuce plants, a swarm of bees moved into a stack of supers that we left sitting right next to our front door. Thankfully, Jonny was able to successfully move them to a better spot and now we have bees again! Free bees are the best! Having a garden again is very good too. I’m so thankful. The kids just shouted that a FedEx truck is coming down the driveway. That will be my strawberry plants…
As we move into the Easter Triduum I’m trying hard to focus on the good and the beautiful and what a blessing that we have the technology to watch our parish priests say Mass via the internet. I never told you about a little argument that Jonny and I had a few months ago. He said that one day people would be watching Mass online. I told him that that was a ridiculous thing to say…that it would never happen. I don’t think Jonny expected to be proven right so quickly and under these circumstances. But here we are at home, praying for our world and each other and wondering when we will sit in our churches again. We can be patient, we can wait. We can do this!
p.s. Yes, Francis the cat did squeeze himself on top of my plants under the grow lights multiple times.
Angie Williams says
I love the idea of having gardens at your fingertips. I have a deck and patio and since the patio is shaded we use that area for our outdoor table and chairs. But I do use the deck for container (kitchen garden) of things we use often and then our big garden for putting up. I was wondering what is the name of the book in the photo of the child in the garden?
Karen says
This is a little late but I keep coming back and admiring your gorgeous seedlings. Mine are so leggy! Would you mind sharing what kind of grow lights you use and your method? Do you also use heat mats before they sprout? Thank you!
Lou says
I laughed at your cat squeezing under the grow lights on top of seedlings. I have the same thing going on here with my two. At night, I have to cover the seedlings or move them to a “secure” location—ha! I am so happy for you to have such bountiful prospects. The raised beds look fantastic and truly nurture the soul as well as provide food. GOOD JOB!!
Elizabeth says
I am so happy you have that mill for wood and for your beautiful garden!!! I pray it grows well and provides lots of great food for you all! beautiful pictures~! God bless you this Easter!
Helen says
I’m glad bees found your hives! That’s encouraging. So many of the posts I read that have hives seem to be going the other way and losing theirs. You’ll enjoy the fruits/vegetables and the flowers for the soul. 🙂
Nicole Cox says
I’m the same way– veggies are a bit of shot in the dark, but flowers I will work my bum off to get right!!! 🙂
Oh, and all our raised beds are in the front, because they were there when we moved in (sunniest spot). My FIL thinks it looks trashy but who can argue with a yard full of beautiful flowers and occasionally edible veggies?!
Katie @ The Cozy Burrow says
I love this! And I love that a swarm of bees just appeared – how perfect is that?! I recently wrote a post on my garden too (it’s here, if anyone would like to read it), but it’s not as beautiful as yours! The good thing is that I’m in NH and we have quite a while until most things can go into the ground, so I’m not too behind yet! :p
And I’m the same with gardens – I start out with great intentions but have a hard time staying consistent. I’m really going to try this year too. We’re calling our garden a Victory garden this year – it seems appropriate!
PJ says
Hi Ginny, I’ve been growing from seeds for years and yours look so great. Do you just plant the seeds and put them under the lights…or do you put domes over them before they sprout. I’ve had a tough time this year which is unusual. Love, love, love your blog.
Ginny says
Thank you! I didn’t use domes with my first batch (the ones in the photos) but have been with my new ones so I don’t have to remember to water as much. 🙂
Linda says
Happy blessed Easter Ginny and family. I love your raised beds and that portable mill is awesome. I can’t wait to see your garden as Spring and Summer progress. ~ Linda (from over the sea in quarantine like everyone else here in New Zealand)
Laura says
Your garden looks lovely! I’ve been wanting to plant tomatoes (at a minimum!) for at least a month or so now, and I’ve yet to get my act together on it. Despite being home all the time now, I still feel so behind on everything…I think I’ll just blame it on the baby who doesn’t let me get anything done ? Can’t wait to see all your gorgeous flowers! Hope your family has a beautiful Easter!
DL says
The book is called Ten Cousins. Your garden is an inspiration, Ginny. And I think Jonny must have prophetic giftings! 🙂
Kate says
Your seedlings look amazing! I knew a man who ripped out his front yard and planted a vegetable garden. It was the best place for it sun-wise, but it was odd to see corn in front of a suburban home. My husband grows the vegetables in our family. The garden often gets ahead of him in summer and I go out there to weed and harvest. I do the pretty landscape gardening. I’m sad this year that I probably won’t be able to buy a flat of pansies. I’m trying to grow some from seed which I’ve never done before. I’m so impatient that I usually like to get my annuals from a nursery and plop them in the ground for instant color and happiness. Thankfully, the house we bought in the fall was owned by a master gardener, so we are enjoying the bulbs and forsythia she planted. Lilacs soon!
For most of our married life, we never paid any more than a thousand dollars for any of our vehicles. When we moved across country three years ago, we donated our vehicles to charity (my husband said the tax right off was more than we’d get for them). We had made enough off the sale of our house that we could pay cash for one small used car and put a down payment on a mini van (the first time in our life we’ve had car payments). We didn’t need a big van anymore since we only had two kids left at home. I did want a mini-van so we could carpool and I could haul home used furniture. Priorities!
Bianca says
I love your new garden. It looks fantastic. I only have a few spindly kale plants started inside that look more alfalfa sprouts. My peas didn’t come up. Chipmunks eat everything. Well, enjoy the garden!!!!
Marilyn says
Ginny, you sure are going to be busy with your gardening. I had to ditch my car a few years ago. It was 20 years old and needed too much work. Enjoy your gardening. Wishing you and your beautiful family a Blessed and Joyous Easter.
Marilyn
Valerie Heck-Hoppes says
Hi Ginny,
Thanks for your update! A smile appeared on my face as soon as I saw your e-mail. You are an inspiration to me… What book is that from of the little one getting his feet in the garden? It looks like something I would love to read.
Have a blessed Easter with your family.
Val 🙂
Ginny says
My sister put that picture on the outside of a package she mailed me and I asked her the same question! I can’t remember what the title was, but it is an older out of print book that she said actually wasn’t that great! I think that one page was the best part. 🙂
Taryn B says
I remember that book from my childhood! It’s pretty creepy. He’s visiting his cousins at their farm and they’re chasing him and all ten of them eventually get him and tickle him. Not super appropriate and very weird. This is definitely the best page. ?
Natalie says
Hi Ginny!
I love your blog and have been reading it since before Silas was born! I live not too far away from you, in Maryland. Do you have a mail-order nursery you like to use for plants? Unfortunately, due to my tiny house (no room for grow lights) and a shady yard, growing from seeds isn’t a good option. Peace and health to you all. Thank you!
Ginny says
I typically buy garden plants locally, but ordered my strawberry plants from Stark Bros. this year for no other reason than they had the type I wanted and a free shipping deal! 🙂
Georgina Dorminy says
Banner Greenhouses is a great place for organic transplants, they’re in NC. It’s where we buy from when we need extra plants (we have a commercial organic farm and 3 towers of grow lights which I’m in charge of =D )
Joan says
Ginny when all those flowers start to bloom it will be beautiful. Have a HAPPY EASTER.
Joan
Cheryl Hilliard says
Your new raised beds look lovely in front of your house.
Ginny says
Thank you!
S says
I love your raised beds and the location! I am a very similar gardener – good intentions, start out strong, then get scattered and unfocused. Raised beds have helped me in that regard, and using containers as well. I just have no idea what I am doing so really love seeing your pictures. Would love to see what you do for the support frames – last year I used cages and poles but that was less than ideal at times!!
Marion says
WOW! You are going to have a super garden. Enjoy. Have a Blessed Easter. God bless.
Marion
Susan Thompson says
What brand/kind is that abacus in the 2nd picture? I’ve been looking for something just like that for my granddaughters!
I wish we had a saw mill thing. I have an elm tree lying in my backyard 2 years now! How in the world does your hubby bring home such large trees? Aren’t they too heavy to haul in a regular vehicle?
Lovely blog as usual, I do look forward to them. 🙂
Ginny says
That is a Montessori style hundred board. This is the one I bought years ago, but you can find others very similar: https://amzn.to/3aY9gxZ
Jonny pulls a trailer for the logs behind our big van. 🙂 Sometimes the people on the other end have equipment they use to load the logs on the trailer for him and that makes it much easier!
Nicole Spring says
Our van we had for 12 years now (that drove us cross country twice!) finally died and we have to get new one so I feel for you! No fun! It doesn’t help that all the dealerships are closed right now. Eek!!