Growing a Vegetable Garden

 This time of year, everyone begins to think of planting. Whether it be flowers, vegetables, or both, we all long for something pretty to look at after the long, cold, grey winter.

I decided this year that I wanted another try at vegetable gardening. I am really good about starting a garden. I get excited about all of the vegetables that will be sitting on my table during the summer, and how proud I will be to serve my family foods that I have raised myself.

Then reality sets in.  

I forget about my garden. 

I forget that the plants get thirsty. I forget that the weeds need to be pulled. I forget that the ground needs fertilizer and that the plants need help keeping the bugs away. 

Another excuse I always use is it just gets plain hot here in Alabama. Nasty, humid hot, where you can almost cut the air with a knife.

I mean, who wants to go outside and sweat to death for a little ole tomato?

 Obviously not me.

 However, I am trying to turn over a new leaf. 

Plus, hubby said I wouldn't be able to keep it alive, so now it's personal. I refuse to be defeated.

This garden will survive and I will be eating vegetables from it in about 90 days, give or take.

 Hubby built these raised beds for me a few years ago. Every year I have the best intentions of growing food...but it hasn't really happened yet. I know for a fact that I can successfully grow weeds in it, though.

 It took me two hours of digging to clear out all of the weeds. I was so exhausted after that. I am so thankful for grocery stores!!

So what am I growing(besides weeds)?

-pickling cucumbers

-tomatoes

-squash

-zucchini

-cabbage

-lettuce

-carrots

-basil

-rosemary

-thyme

-jalapenos

-habeneros

There is no rhyme or reason to my selection. I ran to Lowes one day and that was what caught my eye. I normally buy all of my vegetables for canning from the Mennonites in Kentucky. So, these veggies are just to get a feel for gardening. That way, when the apocalypse hits, I will know how to keep us alive a little longer!!

I will post progress pictures as the garden gets bigger. Help me stay accountable, y'all! I can't let hubby be right on this one!!!

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Summer Canning and Freezing

Last week I headed up to my parents to do some canning and "putting up" vegetables.

I did more "putting up" than canning....my mother is the pro at that!!!

I don't have a garden right now, but next year we will....

I really want to have some chickens to lay eggs too, but I'm not sure if I can get away with it in my neighborhood:o) We have the space to do it though!

When I need to buy in bulk, I go to the Mennonites and purchase their delicious produce.

We pack up and leave early in the morning so that we can be the first ones to buy....it's a first come first serve basis.

This year, I got corn, green beans, squash, cucumbers, and peaches from them.

I was extremely lucky to get the green beans because there hasn't been enough rain in that area for them to grow well.

So here is my "canned" stash. I still have a few more things to add to the stash like pintos....and by the way, yes, we love pickles:o)

 Here is some okra that came from my grandmother's garden....still trying to decide whether to pickle it or freeze it.

 Earlier in the summer I made this strawberry jam....It is DIVINE:o)

My kids won't touch it for whatever reason, so it's all MINE!!!!!!!

 This is the contents of our chest freezer. It's full of corn and squash mostly. There are 12 quarts of peaches in there as well.

 Here's how big the freezer is. It's small, but big enough to hold for this family of four.

I had a lot of help from my parents! Shucking, peeling, cooking, canning, and everything that comes with putting up veggies. We had a good time, and now we are exhausted. Every time I do anything like this I am reminded of The Ant and the Grasshopper story:o)

I'm going to share some tricks here soon on canning, but I am not sure when I will get around to it. We have a lot going on these next two weeks. I am going to have some guest posts this week and next week. So make sure to stay tuned!

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