Do you have a New Garden? You're not alone

NPR reports that growing your own veggies is a popular choice this year.

"The cost of groceries is going up this year, and so are the numbers of people who have started growing their own produce. Now seed companies are reporting a surge of orders. The last time there was a surge in home gardening was 2001, the last time we were in an economic recession."

I know that this is the first year since 1999 that I have planted a garden, albeit a small square foot garden. I have at least 2 personal friends who are growing their own produce for the first time this year.

Last night we ate the first veggies of the garden- 5 humble yellow squash-and they were delicious. There is just something about growing your own stuff! I also have tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, and watermelon growing in there. On my front porch I have an herb garden with parsley, thyme, chives, rosemary and basil. And I should be picking fresh, juicy peaches in the next few weeks. My new peach tree is burdened with tons of smallish peaches. Wild blackberries are growing along our property line and I hope they will be ready for picking by mid-July.

I'm hoping to save about $500 off our grocery bill by growing our own stuff this summer and am already planning what I can grow for the Fall and Winter.

How about you? Have you entered the world of growing your own stuff?

Weekend in Review

I had grand plans for this weekend. We were going to dig out the dead grass and make a beautiful flower bed in the front yard. We were going to head to Home Depot to get materials to build some square foot garden spots in the backyard. Together as a family we were going to go to an annual plant nursery sale and buy a truck load of colorful flowers and fresh vegetable plants. Then as a happy family we were going to spend the weekend building, planting, and having a celebratory barbecue. Those were the plans. But . . .

On Friday my dear husband was diagnosed with the flu. The actual flu! We've never had the flu in our house. We have pretty much stayed away from him all weekend while he rests and takes his Tamiflu and other medicines. Thankfully I had a stockpile of clorox wipes, Oust, and soup. He is up and vertical today so I know he is getting better. The doctor's visit and medicines cost $65. No digging or planting for him, so of course the rest of us didn't do any either.

On Saturday I did go to the plant sale. I took my son Caleb with me and we walked up and down aisle after aisle of greenery and flowers. It was very muddy at the nursery but we had a great time. Unfortunately I didn't know what I wanted to buy. I got totally overwhelmed looking at everything. The lady at the nursery asked me several questions about our soil, like if we had acidic soil or if we ever put lime on our lawn. I had no idea how to answer the questions! My husband takes care of all of that!

Then I found the fruit tree section. I love fresh fruit and I've always wanted to have fruit trees like my grandparents have. So Caleb and I bought an apple tree, pear tree, and a peach tree. They were $15 each and are all over 6 ft. tall already. The peach tree has little peach buds and the apple tree is beginning to blossom. These are all Florida native species. We are planning where to put them and will get them in the ground this week.

Hopefully, next weekend we can get the flower and garden beds ready. Hopefully no one will have the flu!