my first harvest crew")2008

This was our first year with a big garden! We had a few more things than pictured below, but that was earlier in the season") This summer, we harvested zucchini, pickling cucumbers, a couple of strawberries, green beans, & spinach! Today, we picked a ton of green and red tomatoes, super sweet corn, jalapenos & a sun flower. Of course, everyday, we get a mix of red and white eggs! It's been a great season and we can't wait for next year! OK, so my first "real" gardening experience was pretty good. I spent all winter, studying my organic gardening book my mom got me for my bday. I mapped out my garden, researching where to put plants for proper sun, you know, so I don't shade my garden with my corn or things like that. My dad and sister, Allison, and Ryan, all helped me dig out my "wide, deep, loose" rows (by the book) and I was set. What I learned....definitely start seeds in a green house or your house, so if we get another summer like this one...I'm not harvesting tomatoes at the end of September! I also don't need to make so many rows, or necessarily dig out my walk ways. This next garden, we are extending it so that all the corn and pumpkins, and other melons can go crazy and not take up my "regular" garden. I am also going to only have 3 REALLY wide rows") Plant about 1/4 of the tomatoes that I did this year and plant tons more beans") Oh, and this next year, I vow to stagger my planting, so I have veggies going all summer! I can't wait for next year! I think I'll spend this winter planning") Here's to a great season")