For many years we've hoped to move to an area where we could have land to roam, sink roots, grow food, and raise animals,
but this hasn't yet been God's will for us. Though we accept our reality, we also aren't interested in "waiting for our real life to begin"
but this hasn't yet been God's will for us. Though we accept our reality, we also aren't interested in "waiting for our real life to begin"
...never have been, so instead we bloom where we're planted and make it work. We want to be good stewards of what we've been given and pray we can glorify God in our acceptance of His will for us...for now. All the while, we continue to pray for the changes we'd enjoy even as we make it work here. These things said, we've got a new venture up our sleeve this week/year as we kick off stage 1.
Here's to documenting our latest project...a backyard raised bed edible organic garden:
First, we made our plan and cleared the area to get started. Everyone got involved as we made
assembly lines and carted bricks and rocks out of the area we planned to use, even the little guys.
assembly lines and carted bricks and rocks out of the area we planned to use, even the little guys.
Next, we did some math and measurements, then sent the guys off to buy the wood for the boxes.
Boden, in particular, was especially helpful.
His patient big bother too.
We decided on cedar fence slats after doing some research on safe building materials for food and also considering cost effectiveness. We will be able to build our boxes for nearly half the cost of some of the other options we looked into, most of which were treated wood anyway, so all around this seemed like our best option.
(such a big boy these days)
Once they returned home, the guys got to work leveling the area and building the boxes while the girls and I took care of the home, food prep, and little ones (an equally important job through the course of any project). All hands on deck!
(first box!)
(such helpful little women)
(having fun chatting and sorting through the soil pile for our bottom layer in the boxes)
Once the boxes were finished, we started laying the walkway using the materials we'd removed at the start of the project.
We also transplanted our little fruit trees from the front yard into boxes to try and nurse them back to fruit-producing health.
We moved our swing near the hammocks and sprinkled clover between the stones, which sprouts up fast and remains hardy.
The swing has always been a peaceful place and should be a nice spot to watch our garden grow, read, or just sit and be.
Next, the guys headed off to buy an organic soil/compost blend from a local soil distributor.
This was the highlight of the project for the boys!
Especially Boden!
Everyone helped to get the dirt from Daddy's truck to the garden beds.
It was hard work...in a good way.
Once the beds were filled we started searching out local garden resources.
It was lots of time, patience, and work just to prep our garden...a good lesson for life in general.
And now for the part we've all been waiting for...planning and planting what we would like to eat.
Brodie took the girls to a variety of garden stores.
They asked many questions and got many answers...and plants!
When they got home with round 1 we planned our 6 boxes...
...and got started planting!
2- herbs
(rosemary, basil, cilantro, thyme, oregano, green onion)
3- lettuce
(arugula, romaine, tango, mixed spring greens for starters)
4- berries
(raspberry, boysenberry, blackberry, blueberry)
5- tomatoes
(roma, cherry, grape, yellow lemon boy, yellow pear)
6- rotating misc.
(purple potatoes, rainbow carrots, baby bell peppers for starters)
We decided to begin with mostly starter plants for quick results, but we also planted from seed as well.
We've learned so much already as we've started our little garden.
The best part is that we have an ongoing project now and one with rewards and future lessons in store.
And, we're not quite finished with our beginnings just yet. Next up...chickens!
"Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.
And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."
And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."
Genesis 2:7-9,15
