Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Hoping there's a green thumb in there somewhere...

So we've never had a garden before...NEVER. So what do we do? Do we start with a small patch and grow a couple of things, hoping to learn as we go along? NO WAY! That is for sissies...we build a ... well let me just show you....

Cool, right?! This was taken on Friday or Saturday before Kev filled them with dirt completely.
Here's the final product taken yesterday after the kids and I planted them with an assortment of veggies and fruit. Wahooo! In the pouring rain I might add....

We're going to fill in around it with wood chips to cut down on the mud and yuck and even build a couple little seats. Whenever I type "we" in association with the word "build" you can just read Kevin really. I'm just building things in spirit! I only have the ideas people.

Here are the little herb gardens "we" built boxes for on the edge of the deck....

Oh and our new grapes! It doesn't look like much now but give it a year and imagine a pergola and a patio...nice right?!
Oh and I'm going to give Angela the credit for the amazing yellow plum tree in the middle - yay Ange. YOU ROCK! And she said we should do seating around it....awesome! AND she will drop everything and join me in dropping hundreds of dollars at plant stores...bff territory.

I need to stop for a second and say, why did no one tell me before how much shopping gardening involves?! I freaking LOVE gardening!!! YAY!

Here's some of those plants in my new flower garden. This is before and after we did a ton of digging and hauling and by WE I mean WE. Holy digging batman!


Oh and where were my little helpers while I toiled away in the rain? They were in and out...mostly in but they also subscribe to the there in spirit thing...



And oldest son even got a job! Love to see him clean up...


Here's hoping that our newfound love of all things garden will result in beautiful flowers and loads of fresh yummy veggies and fruit! Happy shopping all you crazy gardeners...I've now joined the cult!

21 comments:

Trixie Twatwaffle said...

I absolutely love it! Very jealous.

Oh, and your fence rocks!

Laura said...

WOW --- I started a garden this year for the first time ever - and it sure does not look like yours --- You ROCK! Very cool.

Good luck!

We will have to share gardening stories and hints and tricks!

Mom said...

Well aren't you guys handy?

Monica said...

Your garden looks great- love the design. You think it's great now- just wait until you have more fresh vegetables than you know what to do with! Keep us posted with pictures.

InTheFastLane said...

I am very impressed! I am still working on tomatoes for this year. Still working, as in, I have done a little research and haven't made it to the store to buy any thing to actually grow tomatoes.

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

Wow, it looks utterly amazing! I am so impressed.
Brent keeps taking out my landscaping and putting in more grass:(
I have plans and ideas, but they are so not gonna happen. And I hate the weeding part of gardening. ick.
I can't wait to see your yard all filled out and gorgeous. You are doing an amazing job.

Kellan said...

Beautiful gardens, Shay - WOW!! ANd, you've got a bunch of cute helpers!!

Have fun with your gardens and your beautiful flowers! Take care - Kellan

Lori said...

WOW! Good for you!

No gardening cult for me.... I'm not crazy about it. My husband does all the yard work around here and we have worked very hard to create a very low maintenance landscape design. It looks nice but the goal is to spend as little time on it as possible. I appreciate a beautiful garden, I just don't want to have to do the work to have one!! :)

Unknown said...

You evoke envy in my heart, Shay. :-) My husband HATES yard work. I dream of a garden, patio and backyard like yours. I LOVE it! Great pictures!

Sniz

Pregnantly Plump said...

Those look so cool! Wow, and I was proud of myself for deciding to start a container garden this year. (We have too much shade for the other types.)

Amy said...

Wow! This is awesome.

the mama bird diaries said...

Wow. That was ambitious and impressive. I can't wait to see what grows...

Family Adventure said...

It all looks fab! Feel like making a visit to the Toronto area, tools in hand? :)

Heidi

Melissa said...

Shalagh...the garden looks awesome!!!

Melissa said...

the garden looks awesome!!!!!

Klin said...

Can I borrow your idea and replicate it in my yard (after we move, that is)?

Aunt Becky said...

Oh, I love the boxes! They're going to look so beautiful all covered in plants!

Blog said...

Wow!!! LOOK AT YOU! I am SO not a gardener........ This is very impressive! :)

Mamarazzi said...

wowzer!! i am GREEN with envy! this is amazing and your outdoor area looks sooo lovely and inviting!

our pool takes up our WHOLE back yard. its pretty ridiculous really. i wish it were a little bit smaller AND that i had a green thumb so i could actually keep whats planted back there alive.

RainyPM said...

I've got so much envy reading this entry! There's husband envy that your husband is so handy, garden box envy for having herbs right outside your door, grape envy omigosh, you have your own grapevines! And garden envy in general. It's going to be wonderful. Plus just think of all the character your kids can grow taking care of it. :)

Heather said...

The garden looks wonderful! And what a fantastic variety of stuff you've got going on there. Just wow.

Grapes can take 3-5 years to start producing anything significant, but they do grow like crazy while you wait! We have some wild grape that has taken over our front fence and we CAN NOT get rid of it. Just this summer I decided: screw it, let the stupid grape stay if it wants to live here so badly. And think of the homemade grape jam, right?

Awesome job!