...and what did I see? Red. Red. And more Red. I have absolutely loved having a garden this year. I loved checking on my tomatoes, cucumbers, and pepper plants on a daily basis. I loved eating them. I loved giving them away. I loved watching them grow.
I loved that I helped in the whole process.
(the ledge is missing in this picture b/c we were doing some kitchen work......pictures to come sometime).
(the ledge is missing in this picture b/c we were doing some kitchen work......pictures to come sometime).
Abigail loved helping me water----- even if it was only watering cement.
Our basil exploded again this year and our tomato plants did amazingly well (especially given the record heat Georgia experienced). What we didn't eat, I froze or canned for yumminess later this winter.
A small harvest on a summers night.
A wonderful, wonderful sight. 
The primary song "The Prophet said to Plant a Garden" has often run through my mind as I've been outside with my garden. President Spencer W. Kimball said, "We encourage you to grow all the food you feasibly can on your own property. Make your garden...neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process."
I've thought a lot about our small garden this summer. It hasn't been perfect....we wish a few more cucumbers would have grown and bugs did get to one of some of our tomato plants...but overall, it has been a great success. I have walked back into our house with not only tomatoes to eat, but with such a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. I have felt empowered to do more and thus to become more. I've come to the conclusion that planting a garden has been more than just about the actual produce and end product of our meals. It has been about the process of learning to take care of something and then following through to help it grow. It has been about helping me to learn and to become a better person. If I can help a tomato plant to grow into something strong and delicious, then I can help Abigail to grow into someone strong and capable.
Plans are in the making for a fall garden starting up in a few weeks as well as an even better garden come next summer. I'm hooked.
7 comments:
If you have any gardening tips, send them our way. Our tomatoes did good this year, but a gopher ate our squash plant and some fungus got our cucumbers. We did manage to get some green beans so I guess we had some success.
I love your thoughts on this, Rachael.
Oops. I just left that last comment using my husband's account. And then I signed out and I don't know how to sign back in to erase it.
Nice work, Rachael. It looks great and it's fun to see Abigail involved with the process. I think most commandments have far more benefits than we could ever imagine on our own!
How fun! Abigail is so cute! Can't wait to see the kitchen pictures too!
I don't know how you have time to plant a garden. I need to get motivated by spring to do one for pre-school. I need HELP!! Glad yours worked out- your backyard looks beautiful!
Oh you're making me pine for a garden! Just today Myreel somehow made a bag of green peas appear. On the front of the ziplock was directions for planting. I think it was from one of my neices or nephews at a family gathering and landed in my diaper bag. I think I'm going to venture...even if it's not the right time. ;) Love you. ~Kristi
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