Garden 2009... the bounty begins

This year the big experiment in the garden has been to grow EVERYTHING from seed. We started back in late February with trays in the sun room and fancy seed warmers (think overpriced heating pad). Transplanted the growing seedlings twice to bigger pots, tempered the plants to outside and eventually got them into the ground outside a bit before Memorial Day.

Finally, we are starting to enjoy the fruits (or vegetables, in this case) of our labor.

With the peas already grown, picked, shelled and eaten/frozen, we are planting a new crop for the fall harvest.

Here are the kids shelling the daily pick of peas. Alexander really was a machine doing this job -- CJ on the other hand... Well, she ate more than she dropped and she dropped more than she put in the basket.

Now we are enjoying broccoli practically every other night and loving the freshness. Still waiting on green tomatoes to ripen, green beans, carrots, onions, peppers, potatoes and a mix of herbs to finish growing.

The kids work pulling weeds, watering (they fight over this chore) and laying down mulch, but they love pulling the veggies off and eating them for dinner that night. As for Zack and I... we love thinking that the veggies for the summer and frozen for winter only cost us about $35!

Perhaps we should think about a greenhouse, or row covers, or cold frames to extend the season even longer..... hmmmmm. 2010 Garden plans begin.


Buttercrisp lettuce. Enough for a week. But after already harvesting that same amount 3 times prior, we still have about 3 more cuttings to go!


CJ and her "bouquet" of broccoli.


Enjoyed this last night, steamed with some butter and salt. YUMMY!