If you are a fan of The Coupon Project on Facebook, you might have noticed that yesterday I mentioned we were starting our massive gardening project yesterday. I thought I'd take a moment and share some pictures of our day.
The first part of this project is clearing the space. We removed a decent-sized chunk of sod (or I should say my husband Terry did!). This will mean less lawn to water and care for, which I think we'll both be glad of!
When we started our landscaping project a couple years ago, we also removed some sod on the side of our house. This will also make way for gardening space. We'll be taking down the two portions of fence and installing an arbor of some sort (Terry's figuring that part out as I type).
We had a busy, fun day out in the yard! It was so beautiful and sunny, and the kids had a blast being out there!
Today, we're going to focus on the gate/fence section of the yard, building composting bins, and if we have time, digging the irrigation for the garden. Phew! I should probably mention that if you're thinking about gardening you do NOT need to go to the crazy lengths we are.
My friend and neighbor Susan is also working on a raised garden in her yard and I'll have to see if I can share pics of what she's doing, too, to give you additional ideas of how to do this. (Hint, hint, Susan!)
Stay tuned for more on our crazy big gardening project!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Is this your first garden or are you expanding an existing garden?
I had a small gardens as a child. I don’t have the greenest thumb in the world, and I honestly don’t entirely know what I’m doing…but I’m not overly intimidated, either. I hope folks know that I’m not a self-professed “garden expert,” just a gal trying to do a garden to feed her family healthier foods. I’m planning on sharing what I learn as I learn it. Come late summer/fall I also hope to be sharing how I’m going to preserve what I grow.
If it’s your first major garden then I highly recommend a good herb garden section. It takes little to no skill to grow them and they are mostly perennials so you only need to plant once.
Replace your store bought spices with your own. It’s pretty easy and much tastier in most cases. Grow, pick, dry, grind. That’s it. There’s nothing tastier than cooking with your own gardens herbs. I have basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, peppermint, dill, garlic, and chamomile still from last summer’s harvest. This summer I’m looking to expand into more herbs.
In the summer fresh herbs are even better. There’s nothing like picking some fresh basil, chives or rosemary right off the plant and then cooking with them.
Vegetable gardens take time, patience, and experience to perfect. Last summer was my worst ever due to cool weather & tons of rain. Hope things go better this year. I love having my own tomatoes, onions, beans, and bell & hot peppers.
We’re doing about 4-5 raised beds one will be mostly herbs for the reason you describe above! Will it be ambitious? Probably! Will I learn a lot? I think so.
Thanks Jay!
I am literally breaking ground this weekend on a garden! We had one before but the little moles were capable of sucking my plants under ground (like in cartoons) and it was heartbreaking. SO I have relocated the garden to the old dog run and will beging turning the soil tomorrow! Wish me luck too
Good luck, Terra! Will you be blogging about your garden, too? Any garden advice to send my way?
Awesome! you have tons of room that’s great! cant wait to see when its done and watch the progress of course. I started a garden too but had to do it in removable containers till I get my house hopefully soon. enjoy and take plenty of pics. I will be posting more pics myself ck out my blog
http://debbie1210.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-garden.html