"Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary....."

Finally!  We are out of danger of frost here in Central New York, though it has been a rather cool May.  I've been anxiously awaiting the planting of my garden. 






 It's been quite a few years since I've had a suitable location to grow anything, but I have such fond childhood memories of my many hours spent in the beautiful garden of a very special man - my Poppop Grimes. 




As the oldest grandchild by more than 5 years, I was blessed to spend many-a-long-weekend at my grandparents home where I had my own little garden tools and everything!

 
Poppop is well into his eighties today, still living in Southeastern Pennsylvania.  And he still gardens, though on a smaller scale, thanks to my aunt and uncle who own a small farm, too. 

See the large wood pile behind my children in this photo?  Well, that happens to be the sunniest, most level, and, ultimately, THE BEST location on our property for a family garden!  We used all, but a small amount, of this wood to heat our home this winter.  So the first order of business was...

early-April 2014

Splitting and moving the last of our wood.

late-April 2014

Then, William raked it up.

Using our composted horse manure from last year, we built up 5 mounded rows earlier this month.









Around here, you just don't put your veggies in until Memorial Day, at least,  which was a bummer for me because I had to have some minor surgery the day after, messing up my plans to dig in the dirt.  But, my family, knowing how badly I wanted to get my garden growing, decided to help me out with that....

 

We took a little field trip to a local garden center on Thursday and chose 3 varieties of tomatoes, 3 varieties of peppers, salad cukes and pickling cukes, onions, red lettuce, bush beans, and a couple of types of squash.  It's a good start!  If this year goes well, we'll expand and try some other things.  Unlike my husband, I am cautious in my own ventures, and like to start small!

The veggie garden is wonderful, and I am so grateful for my family's willingness to get it going while I am healing.  I will be thinking of my beloved Poppop and our cherished times harvesting veggies together, as I tend my own garden with my children this summer!

Next project:  Mulching.  We worked hard last summer to create some flowerbeds and my treasured little herb garden. (More about that next time...)  It's time to dress them up!

A note on the maple syrup:  While we've consumed quite a bit ourselves, (reaping the benefits of our hard work!), we've also been selling it steadily!  We've had folks from Canada and New Jersey, as well as New York, stop by for purchases.  While we are currently sold out of half gallons and almost out of pints, we have plenty of quarts and log cabin 1/2 pints, which are perfect for gift-giving! 

Stay in touch, and happy gardening, Friends....