Flashback Friday

Our First Garden

May 2005

Brent is the gardener; I'm just along for the ride. I don't mind weeding and picking, but I really have no idea what to plant, how to plant it, when to plant it, how to cook it once we pick it... you get the idea.  So in the spring of 2005 when he wanted to not just plant, but BUILD a garden in our back yard, I was a little weary.  He and, our next door neighbor, Dean, came up with a plan that I had no vote in.  I thought it seemed like way too much work, but it became a beautiful masterpiece and was yummy, too. 

We lived in Ottumwa at the time and there wasn't a "perfect" spot in our backyard, so the boys created a perfect spot.   

The finished product - complete with deer and rabbit protection. Look at that grin on his face!!

It was the perfect garden.  Brent spent a lot of time taking care of it and we all enjoyed lots of good food.  We had our first {and successful} experience making salsa and canning.  He planted it again in 2006 and had great plans for 2007, but that was the spring we moved.  We sold the house, but our lovely neighbors continue to tend our garden.  The new owners are perfectly okay with that. 

It has been four years and Brent has been dreaming about a garden since then.  The perfect spot, the perfect size, the perfect seeds... we planted it a few weeks ago and he couldn't be happier to tend to it.  How come in his dreams, everything gets bigger?  The old garden looks itty-bitty compared to the new one.  

I'm glad Brent enjoys this hobby and I'm glad that Lucas gets to learn, too.  It is fun for all of us.