our {growing garden}

In our area, the LDS Church has a farm.  They grow potatoes and wheat and corn and that good stuff.  Well, in the corners of the center pivots, they have big triangular plots of land where 'nothing' grows, but is organized by an area gardener of sorts to divide up the plots into smaller plots that members in our area can come and plant gardens.

The church waters it via the large sprinkler pipe pictured, free of charge (as is the plot), but we are responsible for planting, maintaining, and harvesting our own garden.  Pretty cost effective for us, if you don't consider we have to drive 14 miles round trip to tend it.

We were VERY fortunate to get a plot this year, as last year we skipped (big and pregnant, then big and nursing. ha!) last year and I was a tad late in reserving a spot this year.  Even though we're a half mile away from the 'farm house' where the rototiller is stored (we're allowed to use, provided we fill the tank back up with fuel), we're determined to make this work!!!  As you can see, where we've planted, our 'neighbors' haven't...I kinda hope they forget, because when the weeds get waist high (no, really, they do!), the height protects our garden from frost and the wind tearing through my taller plants.  :)  Sad, but true.  It also will provide a place for Tanner and Taylor to play when they're done weeding...because their 'designated' play area at the front of the garden are sure to be filled with the extra tomato and pepper plants (give or take a dozen each) from my parent's greenhouse, to plant on Saturday!!!

This year we spent $30 in seeds and starter boxes and planted (in half a plot):
3 30' rows of green beans
1 20' row spinach (ran out of seeds)
1 30' row half carrots, half radishes
2 20' row peas (two rows in same hill 6" apart)
1 30' row big yellow onions in half, and green onions the last half

2 hills (4 plants per hill) green summer squash
2 hills ("    ") yellow summer squash
2 hills ("    ") winter squash (spaghetti squash!)
3 hills ("    ") cucumbers
2 hills ("    ") pumpkins
2 hills ("    ") watermelons
2 hills ("    ") cantaloupe

We're going to be VERY busy this summer...And I'm not referring just to me, myself, and I though it might result in a 'me, myself, and I' effort.  Tanner, Taylor, Ryan, and even Kortlen are not going to be one bit bored!!!

And come harvest, we're going to have trunk-loads (not to be confused with truck-loads, though my bike, trailer, and child seat DO fit in my trunk, to give you an idea of how big it is!) of produce to put up for food storage!!!  and fresh salads!!!  and delicious sauteed squash smothered in butter and cheese!!!  And jack-o-lanterns and tan arms and legs!!!

I hope this labor of love will prove to be worth all the effort it will take to weed it.  :)

We'll eat what we can, 

and what we can't, 

we'll can!!!