The Story of My Garden

Once upon a time I read about Cami and Nate's (Cami is really funny, you might like her blog) summer in Fiji. They were doing humanitarian work. One of their projects was to teach people how to make Square Foot Gardens so that they could grow their food right next to their homes instead of having to walk miles to a community garden.

I was intrigued, so I checked the book out and fell in love. I have read my square foot garden bible over and over again.

Everyone has heard me talk about it for a year. (my poor husband and friends)

I made a smelly compost bin (it smells because I have to keep it enclosed with a lid per my city's rules).

I've visited a certain construction site several times. A group of Amish men were in charge of all the wood work. They were very generous and gave me lots of extra wood (I think to get me to stop coming back!)

Alas, the wood was treated and I couldn't use it. I had to go buy everything instead. Oh well. (Mark and I are planning to make some benches with the treated wood)

It was practically impossible to find vermiculite--a vital part to making the perfect "soil" mixture. in fact, you don't use soil in this garden, so it should be practically weed-free!

Also my compost hasn't completely decomposed yet. Off to the store again. fortunately, manure compost is cheap cheap cheap!

For a date night, Mark helped me construct the box--Noah and his friends think it's a place to sit and play...



Last night, for family home evening, we talked about self-reliance. and mixed the soil mixture together. Noah was really excited to help--he kept running around totally confused and touching the tarp (helping us) as we mixed the 3 "soil" components together.



Last week I started some seedlings indoors: cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, basil, and broccoli. they are coming along nicely.

Today I planted spinach, peas, and strawberry roots in the actual box.

I'm starting to wish I had made the full 4x4 size box--there's so much I still want to plant. Oh well, let's see how these things work out first!

By the way, I'm totally converted to this method of gardening. I think my square foot garden is better than your row garden. But we can still be friends ;)