Last winter, my husband built a raised bed for my first, at home vegetable garden. While it lay fallow the grandboys used it as a giant sandbox.
In spring, we planted sugar snap peas, snow peas, cucumbers, pole beans, onions, carrots, and broccolini. My husband raised a small patch of sweet corn across from the raised bed and I grew herbs, radishes, squash, artichokes, garlic, potatoes and tomatoes in containers.
Now, my family and I are enjoying the fruits of our labors. Walking out into the yard and picking vegetables at their peak for each nights dinner is more than satisfying. Crisp salads, savory stir fries, delicious no-butter-needed corn on the cob, and balsamic roasted vegetables have been regular fare at our evening meals.
Fortunately, we can grow all year-round here, so my fall crop of radish, lettuce and broccolini are well on their way. Next up, spinach, beets, and carrots.
“Smiles are contagious; let’s start and epidemic” -Laura Smith-
Smiles of the Week
The grandboys
That’s great Laura! you’ve done remarkably well to grow so much and then to enjoy the fruits of your labour 🙂 Lovely picture of your Grand-boys 🙂
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Thank you Sam
It’s been fun working in the garden and using the veggies in my recipes. Today, beef stew. Yummy.
Happy sailing
Laura
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That is very cool. I do not have the inclination to work in a garden but I admire those that do.
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Hi Janet
Not everyone loves the garden. My job, when I was working, was as a Flower Grower for a seed company. I also grew vegetables there in the greenhouse. So I am proud of my “outside” garden, on my own, without a crew.
Laura
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Your garden looks amazing, I’m so jealous! My hubby built a raised planter box now filled with organic soil (found free on Craig’s List) which now houses my sunflowers. We have huge redwoods in my backyard and the soil is acidic in areas near the trees, so veggies have a difficult time growing. I prefer the pines, but it would be nice to pick my own veggies. Enjoy the “fruits” of your labors, Laura!
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Hi Terri
I love sunflowers!. 🌻 They’re so happy. I also live pines. They smell sooooo good.
We filled our raised bed with recycled soil from my work, at the time. I hauled it home in bags over several months. Our neighbors let their lawn die during the drought and re-sodded just as I was getting ready to fill the bed. Perfect topsoil. We made our mix from those two sources.
Laura
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The boys are so cute! Hope to taste some of those veggies at the lake!
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Hi Jessie
Hopefully, we’ll still have corn at lake time. And I know how much you “love” tomatoes. Salsa!! Oh, I’ll bring strawberries too. 🤣
See you soon
Laura
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Hi, Laura – I didn’t (yet) muster up the nerve to plant and maintain a vegetable garden. I did, however, plant an outdoor herb garden. I agree that it is extremely satisfying to go out and pick fresh ingredients for dinner. Your post has inspired me to take the next step in the Spring!
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HI Donna
Herbs are fun too. Last night my grandson and I went out and clipped some chives,parsley and thyme for the chicken recipe I was using. He smelled each one as we cut them and then could taste them in our dinner.
Educational too
Laura
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Fabulous garden! Green side up. I love the double use of sandbox to growing garden. Thank you for sharing your garden with us.
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Hello Jamie
I was so used to growing everything in the greenhouse and having all that wonderful help from the crew it was exciting to do it “outside” on my own. I also have some pretty nice flowers. Still lots to do in the yard, but it’s slowly coming together. Just having FUN!
Thanks
Laura
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