To Build a Garden

This past weekend we built our raised garden boxes for our vegetable garden. We actually got started a little earlier this week with the sprinklers. It was truly a family affair with both boys getting into the action. They enjoyed working right along-side their Dad. Parker helped heat up the ends of the sprinkler pipe.
Avie just enjoyed checking out the trenches.
Connor learned how to cut the sprinkler pipe and attach the sprinkler parts.
He also learned how to shut the sprinkler clamps with a metal crimper.
Our wheelbarrow died early on Saturday morning. The load it was carrying blew out the tire completely. We have used this wheelbarrow for countless projects, and have fixed/tried to fix it more times than I care to count. Say goodbye wheelbarrow. . .
The side yard all cleaned up and prepared for the boxes to be built.
Avie was fascinated with the drill and the screws. The shiny metal brackets were also very appealing.
Parker liked helping with the measurements.
This is the view of the east side of the garden. We planted raspberries in the closest box. The center box has my herbs and tomatoes. The closest to the fence has the blackberries. The strip of dirt in front of the boxes will have strawberries. I didn't quiet get those planted.
This is the other side of the veggie garden. Jeremy did a great job building the boxes and the trellis's. The boxes are built out of 4" x 6" lumber. the boxes themselves are about 4' x 8 1/2' long. We filled the boxes with some good top soil, vermiculite, peat moss, and nutri-mulch. The two side boxes have peas/beans at the back (to grow up the trellis,) broccoli, red-orange marigolds, onions, and peppers. The center box has cucumbers to grow up the trellis, pumpkins and yellow marigolds. I can't wait until they all start to grow! That is the funnest part.

In the next month or so we will be working to finish up the last details (like the stepping stones and bark) and then we will finish the last box complete with the fence and garden arbor. Lots of hard work behind us, with a little more to come.

Side yard plans 2010

Spring is here, and with it come's yard projects. This year we are planning to build our raised veggie garden beds. It has been a busy spring with soccer games and carting a baby around so, we might not have it completely built and planted until early summer, but here are the plans none-the-less. Here is a map of what we plan to do. The beds will be built up with lumber. We are taking out the grass from this side of the yard to put in the garden. We plan on mulching the pathway areas. The garden area will be separated from the rest of the yard by a 3 foot fence and an arbor. We plan on growing our fruits and veggies that grow on vines up the fence. (Tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, beans, watermelons, pumpkins, etc.) Now, wish us luck. We have a lot of work ahead of us.
As for right now, I am planting the rest of my annuals for the year. I love this time of year. The day I go to the nursery and buy my annuals is ALMOST better than Christmas. I took the kids with me this year and let them pick out a few of their favorites. I'll take a picture as soon as I get them in the ground and they start to get established. Here is a list of some of the annuals we are planting this year.

Petunias
Marigolds (not my favorite, but the kids REALLY wanted to plant them.)
Snapdragons
Carnations
Sweet Alyssum
Lobelia
Zinnias
Vinca
Impatients
Annual Salvia
Torena
Spotted Dead Nettle (this is actually a perennial)
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
Asparagus Fern
African Daisies
Tuberous Begonias
Geraniums
Nicotina

Happy Gardening!

Big Plans to Come. . .

We have been making major plans for a great vegetable garden in our backyard. Stay tuned for the plans and pictures of all the fun changes.


I love spring!!!