Adventures in Gardening

Earlier in the spring, I decided to plant a garden. I didn't do much research, and this is the first time I've ever planted things, so this has been a learning experience. I've already learned so much like

a) not to trust the back of the seed packets about when to plant them

b) that zucchinis are supposed to be planted in a mound, not in rows

c) that watermelons and zucchinis need A LOT more space than I gave them

d) that maybe letting my kids help put the seeds in isn't such a great idea because they end up putting 5 seeds in one spot, which leads to the problem stated in c) above.

and

e) that I should never bend over as much as I did when I was tilling the garden, which was the last straw for my sciatica and the reason for which I now have to go to the chiropractor 3 times a week. But all that is another story.

Here we are getting the garden ready. The kids LOVED the mud.

 Fiona really loved it: 

Ethan loved the pick axe: 

And I just couldn't resist doing a picture like this: 

mmmm, yummy.

Here's Ethan with the pick axe again: 

And Fiona still lovin' the mud:

And one last one of Ethan weilding his weapon:

Okay, now time for the actual garden.

I planted basil in the first two pots there, and tomatoes in the one on the right: 

And here's the garden. Have you ever seen a more lovely looking garden? No, wait, don't answer that. I know, I know, it's over-crowded. Like I said, I've already learned a lot. Anyway, I have cucumbers, zucchini, watermelon, broccoli, and dying onions. I don't know what I did wrong with the onions. 

I even have this lovely hibiscus plant that I haven't killed yet. It flowers most days: 

I tried to transplant a few of the watermelon plants so they'd have more space. Here they are. I don't know if they're going to make it or not: 

And here are zinnias that I planted at the front of the house. They're actually flowering! So exciting. I also planted marigolds, but none of them sprouted. I don't know what I did wrong there either. 

So, there you go. Gardening has been fun so far, and the kids have enjoyed watching things grow. I will, of course, check in later about whether or not we actually get any vegetables out of our garden. Here's hopin' we do...