As I sit here reflecting on the last two days, I can’t help but smile at the dirt under my nails, the tenderness of my pink skin, and the dull ache in my back. In years past, our family has had a part in vegetable gardening for the sheer excitement of watching something grow. Discover how yard and garden decking can transform it into an inviting outdoor living space.
This year however, we have taken on the responsibility of tending a 5000 square foot, multi-family garden with all the plants brought from www.wildtree.co and also with the hopes of producing enough to feed seven adults and eight children, through the winter months. The past two days have been filled with tilling, planting, and watering what will soon become an Eden for our families. If your garden is being pestered or damaged by squirrels, you may need to contact a professional squirrel removal or animal removal service. Preventative pest control services are also recommended to to protect your crops and plants from various pests. Also, you can learn more here for the best lawn mowing services.
While I look forward to the coming months of harvesting, canning, and preserving, what I am most excited about are the endless opportunities for our family of six to learn and grow together.
Financial Growth
Growing a vegetable garden may seem like an expensive endeavor in the beginning but the cost savings add up in a hurry and rarely leave you questioning whether or not it was worth the money. According to experts in https://www.northwoodoutdoorservices.net/service-area/landscaping-otsego-mn/, a simple container garden can be easily and inexpensively started and will yield an abundance of produce in just one season. If you can or preserve your excess produce, your savings can last well into the winter months when vegetables are no longer easily available and are more costly to purchase.
Educational Growth
Educational opportunities are endless in a vegetable garden and you can check my blog to know more about this. From learning about propagation, the water cycle, creation, insect life, and farming to mathematics, spatial relations, and even home economics, gardening has you covered! There is so much to learn just by digging the dirt and harvesting your own produce.
Character Development
If, like us, you find yourself in need of building good character qualities in yourself or your children, gardening is a great place to start. It takes diligence, patience, and hard work (among other things) to plant a garden and see it come to fruition. Gardening is not a quick process and so much character can be built while working the ground.
Physical Development
If you think gardening is light and easy work, think again or you can try this site! to hire professionals. You will find yourself using muscles you didn’t know you had after spending a day tilling the ground or pulling weeds by hand. If you haul your own water, your body will certainly receive a healthy dose of exercise as well. Gardening requires you work hard and will in turn produce a bountiful harvest.
Nutritional Growth
In today’s age, genetically modified produce is becoming more prevalent. Add in the use of harmful chemicals and fertilizers to ward off pests and weeds and we’ve got a recipe for poor health and ill-effects later in life. Growing your own fruits and vegetables gives you the ability to decide what seeds you use, how you care for your soil, and what goes on and around your plants as they grow. Growing produce specific for your location and harvesting at peak times will also increase the nutritional value of the foods you set before your family each day.
Gardening is multi-faceted with so many aspects that will truly help a family grow. Whether it be one or two pots on the patio, a small garden in the backyard, or a sprawling 5000 square feet on the family farm, gardening will benefit your family for years to come.
I’d love to hear more about your garden! What sort of things are you planting?
🙂
Pick a veggie Brienne, and chances are we’re growing it! I will be sharing more about our garden in the weeks and months to come (as well as canning and preserving this fall) on my personal blog. I have already written about the logistics behind the garden. You’re welcome to check it out here http://abundantlivingblog.com/multi-generation-family-garden/.
I would LOVE for our family to start a garden! I’m a little hesitant though because it’s such new territory – my husband nor I have any experience gardening. I guess it would be a learning experience for all.
I never really consider the benefits of a garden past the frugal and nutritional stand point. Thanks so much for giving us more reasons to make this a priority.
I felt a little intimidated our first year as well so we settled for a small container garden. It worked beautifully and was just enough to get my feet wet, so to speak. I do hope you are able to start your own garden Sarah, even if it is just a small one!
Beautifully written Stephanie!
I have really treasured times with our family in our garden. It’s so rewarding to prepare the soil, plant and harvest- together as a family.
Thank you!
we have a garden this year for the first time. I’m really excited for it too! Lots of yummy veggies to be coming soon!
We have had gardens for years…. and have always had to crowd things in due to lack of space…. but it is amazing how much can be produced in a small city garden that is spread around the yard. The size of the garden you have sounds overwhelming, and what a challenge! Good for you to be doing it…. We keep expanding our gardens and this year we have 9 raised beds and several in-ground gardens…. we have to tuck them here and there to still look like it is a city yard rather than a country farm. 🙂 We have been putting up more and more for the family each year…. so many times we eat everything we produce because of our big family, so it is fun when we can actually have some items for winter. I can’t imagine putting up ALL of our food though. Wow, what a challenge. I hope you have a great garden year. 🙂
That’s so exciting to hear how you are utilizing the space you have! Our garden is definitely sprawling but we also have rather large rows so we can till rather than weed by hand. We intend to eat from the garden once it begins producing and any extras will be canned or preserved for the winter months. This is our first year so I’m sure we will tweak things as we learn and time goes on.
Love gardening with the kids. Thanks for joining in the #ParentingPinItParty
Hi Stephanie – I love my garden. Great tips and lessons. Thanks so much for sharing with the Let’s Get Real Party.