Before, During, & After

BEFORE - click here to remind yourself of our neighbor-induced-under-construction-yard that yielded a garden filled with clumpy clay!

DURING - Prior to these pictures, Eric worked hard on the property line fence, the garden surround, and the great clay dig out. He and I worked hard at scooping out the grass along the inside border in order to bury blocks to prevent rabbits from nibbling my harvest. Here we all are working hard (except I am not pictured) to re-create my beloved garden. We schlepped 1.5 yards of top soil and 1 yard of mushroom compost from our driveway to the garden. (Note Norah's contribution in the excer-saucer.) My garden has always resembled a kitchen garden, a yummy salad, a farmer's market, the neighborhood pantry, and an experiment. All wrapped into one plot of great joy! Can you tell I am excited to have my garden back?

Notice that Simon wore Daddy's ear muffs because he needed quiet. I think they helped; he stayed quiet when wearing them.

The ramp to dump the dirt from outside the yard into the garden.

An 8 foot by 17 foot plot of gorgeous, black dirt completely weed free and ready to plant.

AFTER - My garden, all planted and full of hope! I told Simon all my garden now needs is water, weeding, and talking. We said things like "come up green beans, we want to see you" and "it's okay lettuce, grow grow". Simon went with me to buy the vegetables and this is what we planted: sweet corn, kahlrabi (note to previous post of politician pass-out at St. Patty's Day Parade), carrots, green beans, tomatoes (3 varieties), cucumbers, white/green onions, red onions, green lettuce, mesclun lettuce, spinach, green peppers, basil, parsley, chives, cilantro, oregano, and thyme.

The view from the sidewalk.

We had plenty of dirt to fill my porch pots for annuals. Norah knew what to do with a trowel. Not one speck of dirt went into her mouth.

The remaining dirt after filling my garden and my porch pots - the perfect amount!

TO COME - Stay tuned for updates and pics of our growth and bounty!

Simon asks to check our vegetables daily and before departing our house. He always says good morning to them, talks to them and encourages them to emerge!