Fun in the Garden

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

This isn’t what I wanted to write about today. Last Sunday I was all ready to wrap of one of my home projects that’s been dragging on forever. And then I went to breakfast with my son. While chatting over a southwest omelet and grilled cheese (who eats grilled cheese for breakfast?! it certainly wasn’t me), our conversation proceeded like this:

Coolio: I think it would be fun to start a vegetable garden.

Me: Yeah that would be fun. We’ll have to look into it.

Coolio: No, I think it would be a fun thing to do today.

Me: Today?!! But we don’t know anything about starting a garden.

Coolio: That’s okay. We’ll just give a try. If nothing grows we’ll still have fun trying.

Okay, how can you argue with that. So we spent Sunday afternoon planting a garden that will most likely not grow :).

So we headed off to Home Depot and I veered towards the miniature tomato plants…but Coolio thought it would be more fun to plant seeds. Okay then… He picked out Garden Beans, Summer Squash, Carrots, Pumpkin, and Cantaloupe…yes, cantaloupe. I drew the line when he wanted to plant corn. I just couldn’t imaging wading through corn fields in our backyard.

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He also had apparently heard somewhere that manure was the perfect stuff to grow vegetables in, so we purchased 4 bags of “Premium Humus & Manure”…mmmm.

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Coolio then went to work loosening up the soil in our impromptu garden bed, and then mixed in the manure.

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Kingsley was enormously helpful. As was I, as I stood by with my Route 44 Diet Coke from Sonic.

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I did take the time to make some lovely little garden stakes, though.

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I also investigated our back deck and noticed something odd on the ceiling fan (and by “odd”, I apparently didn’t mean dirt, grime and dead bugs. In case you’re wondering, I have in fact heard of a little thing called “cleaning”).

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An industrious little bird had decided to build a nest on top of one of the fan blades. Thank goodness we hadn’t turned it on, AND that there weren’t any little eggs in there. I was stunned at what a perfect little nest it was, though. Nature! Amazing!

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After all “our” work was done, we had our own little vegetable garden. As I said, I’m fairly certain that it won’t produce a bountiful harvest for us, but it definitely was fun.

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17 Suburbanites Said:

Red Lipstick said...

I'm going to try this today! I really don't have an excuse not to since I had a garden box made last year! ;)

Becca Ross said...

What a great way to spend a day with your son! My kids and I plant a garden every year. Lettuce and herbs always works for us. Good luck! I'm having my first ever linky party on Friday. I'd love it if you'd post this with us! http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Again, you are such a good mom! Coolio will always remember that you dropped your plans and went along with his. He'll remember "the time we planted a garden together"...and nothing grew :). Who knows? Maybe your garden will kick some vegetable butt this year? I hear from my friend Kellie over at This Blessed Nest that manure is the gold of the garden!

The House Creative said...

I love working in the garden. Including the kids is so much fun too, because they can learn a lot being out there and planting. My kids always enjoy working in our vegetable garden with us. We let my oldest pick out what she wants to grow that year as well/

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

What a pretty nest. I feel bad for the bird who worked so industriously, but really, she should have known better.

I'm hoping to start another tomato garden this summer. Hope you get a bounty from yours!

Bunny Jean said...

Sounds like you had a nice afternoon with your son. I think it is wonderful that it was his idea to do this project with you!

BTW... anything in the "squash" (cantalopes, pumpkins, and of course squash) family will end up taking over most of your yard. Enjoy!

Talk to you soon ;)
Bunny Jean

Petie@inspirednesting.com said...

What a great day with your son. I've always wanted to try growing tomatoes, at least, and now I'm inspired. Keep us posted on how it's "growing"!

Dessert Girl said...

Yup, have part of our garden already planted! Now we're waiting for the sun to come out again. It's been rainy and blah ... April showers bring May flowers! Yay!

Kristine at The Painted Hive said...

Oh, good ol' vegie gardens - sigh. We started one not long after moving into our first home and it was great for the first season, then....the possums discovered it. Alas, no more vegies for us. Good luck with yours! It's so fun and rewarding.
Kristine
xxx

Kate Riley said...

There's nothing like a vege garden ! Can't wait to see the 'fruits' of your labor !

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

They just might surprise you and grow - especially if you give it regular watering. We started some seeds inside and will plant them out in a few weeks, as it is still too early here for young plants.

Jenny @ Anything Pretty said...

What a fun memory! And hopefully you will have a garden full of yumminess to show for it and more great memories all summer long!

Rose said...

Aren't you and Coolio awesome?! One day it will be me and Jack...I just have to wait until he's old enough to do ALL the manual labor :)
Maybe you guys will get a pumpkin or two for Halloween!

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

You will be surprised at how much your little garden will produce...just water and weed it regularly. Be sure to fertilize and get ready for VEGGIES!!! You should start composting also...great for the garden. Good luck!

claudia b said...

Yay, that's so awesome! We just planted our summer plants and can't wait to see how they do!

angela | the painted house said...

Great little garden--here's to good eating! I'm in the process of getting a raised bed built in the only small sunny patch in our backyard. I hope we are fruitful. :)

Thank you for stopping TPH today and leaving such a sweet comment. Hope all is well in your charming casa. :)

Anonymous said...

This is awesome! Is this your first time. We just planted a garden last weekend....read all about it
http://lifeonmaplestreet.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/garden/

Celia