"To grow something wild..."

So it is that time of year again.  The time of year where I try my hand at gardening.  I have a strong desire to grow a bountiful garden and yet my visions never match with what actually happens.  Last year the boys "helped" rearrange the garden several times - successfully killing all the plants.  The only survivors of the re-gardening were the pea plants, which then fell victim to the field mice.  This year we have fencing around the garden and have hopefully dealt with the mouse issue.

Ethan and I trucked off to buy some more dirt to fill up the garden and purchase our plants.  I had already bought some seeds to plant.  My little farmer was quite cute at the store.  The boy who was helping load the dirt into the van was quizzed as to his age, and what he had planted this year.  The poor seventeen year old boy tried to explain that he had not planted anything but his mother had.  To which Ethan looked at him and asked why he did not help.  Ethan then told him we were planting spinach (lettuce) beets and carrots. 

The next stop was the greenhouse.  Ethan's school had made a field trip to this greenhouse just before Mother's day.  Each kid potted their own strawberry plant to take home and give as a Mother's day gift.  Mine has been out on our back deck thriving.

At the greenhouse Ethan gave me a tour similar to the one he had received.  This included showing me where the staff have their coffee breaks.  We wandered around looking for "food plants" that we could grow in our garden.  On the way out I got to see the poster his class made with the pictures of the kids visit to the store.

Home again to plant with my little helper. We tilled the garden, planted the seeds and plants and watered.  Now I have an Ethan inspired veggie garden complete with pumpkin, cucumber, carrots, lettuce, beets, celery, strawberries and a few herbs.  If you have seen my garden you will know that this is a lot for a small space!  Hopefully there will be little rearranging and some crops will survive...

Now the garden in my front yard, that one is going to be filled with flowers.  I again have a great vision of how I would like it to look, but honestly have bad luck growing flowers.  This year I am hoping to have a secret weapon - Isaac's sister is showing up for a visit tomorrow.  This woman is AMAZING with plants.  I am going to take her to the greenhouse and set her free!  I am hoping to learn a thing or two about what plants to pick and what will work best in my garden that is low maintenance and spreads...

I am excited about Wendy's visit and a bit nervous for her at the same time.  I worry that my boys will drive her a bit batty.  Wendy does not have any kids of her own, so I can only imagine what a shock walking into our chaos will be like.  She is coming to offer some help, for which I am grateful for!! 

Isaac has just turned on the sprinkler and the boys have stripped off all clothing and are chasing each other around the yard.  This is what Wendy is in for...