It has been awhile, but...

I'm still here!

I've been a bit preoccupied, body and mind, with..... vegetable gardens! Mine in particular, of course. I really wanted to do it right this year and not just hope we get lucky. I want fresh, from the ground, from my hands vegetables. (Fruit, too, but I think we'll have to do some you-picking as far as fruit is concerned.)

I have recently started following a blog called "Thy Hand Hath Provided". She has graciously provided her followers with a vegetable garden tutorial and oodles of advice. I have also found a website, Gardener's Supply Company, (shout out to my mom for telling me about this) and, it too, has been very helpful. It even has a garden planner that helps you plan your garden, print out the plan and even provides info about growing the veggies you've chosen. Too cool!

So, Sunday we went out a purchased our seeds and, since then, I've been deciding on what to start indoors, what to plant outdoors and when each veggie should be planted. Lots of work but interesting and I am learning a lot.

I've also been working on where to plant our gardens. We live in the city, in an old neighborhood with lots of big, old trees. We live on a corner lot and our house faces north. Truly, the best place to plant is in our side yard 'cause when the sun makes it over there there is no shade or shadow to get in the way. It makes that side of the house uncomfortable in the summer but it's ideal for growing things.

So, I've decided on three raised beds, 4x5', in the side yard and a single, "regular" garden in back for those veggies that can handle not being in the spot light all day. I have also been learning about which veggie likes to be planted with which veggie (or not, as the case may be). Oy! That was a bit head-ache-inducing. It was like putting a puzzle together. I think I've figured it out, though and I am happy with how it looks- on paper.

Today, I've been getting my seedlings to-be in little newspaper pots that I made. There are three different kinds of tomatoes, broccoli and peppers. Later I'll also be doing some pumpkins and sunflowers. Now my pots are sitting in the only south facing window we have on the first floor. And that window happens to be in front of, you guessed it, my sewing/crafting table. Oh, well. Six to eight weeks will zip on by, right?

I took some pics, so check them out. I'm off to do more laundry and them I'm going to make my planting and harvesting schedule. Enjoy your day!