Let's Hope it Grows

Remember a couple of months ago on Earth Day when I vowed to plant a veggie garden, build a rain barrel, and begin composting? Well last weekend we built and installed the rain barrel and the following week we completed the garden project as well. After all of that hard work, I don't know if I have the energy left to begin composting - that one may have to wait until next year.

We knew we wanted a small garden because we aren't known for our gardening skills that's for sure, more known for our ability to kill anything green! Starting out small would allow us to start off easy and then if all goes well we can do more next year.

We decided to place the garden next to the fence where Tanner loves to jump and try to get to the very large dog next door. Can you see his paw marks on the fence? In addition to trying to stop the jumping and clawing from occurring, we also knew that it was the sunniest spot in the backyard as well.

After picking out the location, we headed to the home depot to get the wood, chicken wire, lots of topsoil, some mushroom compost, and the veggies/herbs for planting.

Next the hubby screws the pieces together after mapping out the location. This went off without a hitch.

This is where the hard work began. We began to dig up the sod.....and dug some more....and some more....and a little bit more. (Note: don't dig up WET sod - it weights a lot!) This required some major teamwork and a whole lot of muscle too.

Next we prepared the soil with some good ole topsoil and mushroom compost (if the botanical gardens recommends it, I'm all for it). And then the planting began- sorry no pictures because I was covered in mud! We decided to plant tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, basil, dill, and parsley.

Look at that green and healthy garden.....let's just pray it grows otherwise I may shed a tear or two after thinking of the labor of love that went into it. Some sunshine, water (from the rain barrel of course), and a little miracle gro and I'm told this really should work.

Notice that the hubby thought it was funny to put a decorative touch in the garden which reads "Garden of Weeding". Isn't he so funny?