My seeds got planted a little later than I had wanted this year but I know they will be okay. I talked Brady into moving my garden from the spot where we had it last year to another location. The trees have grown so much that most of the backyard is shady except for the new garden area and the area along the fence line where my roses are located. This area needed some prepping as one spot had dead tree roots in it (which were joyful to dig and hammer out), wasn't level, full of grass and had to be weeded, and needed more dirt and manure, etc. Brady worked on prepping most of it for me - thanks! I got most of the grass removed but will still be fighting it for a long time as grass grows back fairly quickly. While I spent time prepping and planting, the kids either rode around on their Gator, playing on the swing set or were playing in the dirt. I wish I would have taken some pictures of their activities. They were always dirty and one day we had to have 3 showers! We have to wear bug spray and I have this thing about them smelling like that junk. Hailey had it in her head for me to get out her plastic pool since I started with the whole garden thing. I didn't want to stop and get it out of the barn and wash it before I deemed it okay to use for the summer. At one point, I saw the top of the turtle sandbox was being taken off and mud soup being created. She asked for some water and I did okay it. The hose wasn't attached at the time so they were taking buckets full of water back and forth. Perfect busy time activity. Then she asked if she could hook up the hose. Sure. Didn't think she really would get it that far but she did. The turtle lid wound up underneath the slide and water fun began. Hunter didn't mind until Hailey soaked him. He pretty much was done after being out there for - well forever. When I saw Hunter's skin a purplish color I called it quits for awhile and we all took a long hot shower. Anyway, it took a few days of being outside all day. Hunter wound up getting an eye infection, which needed drops by the weekend. I am positive it was due to all the dirt he played in outside. Did I mention he even drank the soup water? Yuck!

It has been rainy here for about two weeks but the seeds did get planted and we are continuing to do things in between the bouts of rain. We still have more boards to buy for the edges. I did drag all those pavers from the creek to the garden for a path, got marigolds planted and put in my solar lights. Doesn't every garden have those? I wanted some lights out there and they were a Mother's Day gift from Brady. I want to see what critters come by and try to munch on my goods. I do have plans to install an electric fence. That will fix them! 

Before planting, Brady and I made a map and it came in handy when I was out there planting it. We made allowances for how much room the plants would need and justified it a little. We will see! So what did I plant?

Main Garden:

Popcorn (This was fun when we did it in Norman!)

Pumpkins (Please grow you little boogers! I haven't been able to successfully grow them yet. Sadness since I love them so much.)

Okra

Jalepenos

Watermelon

Yellow Squash

Tomatoes (all kinds)

Lima Beans (I love eating them. Never planted them before though. Super excited to see what happens.)

Cucumbers

 Herb Garden So Far:

Parsley (Hailey loves to eat parsley)

Rosmary

Basil

More tomatoes

Strawberries (These I planted 2 years ago and have spread so much.)

I also have 2 raspberry bushes (one red and one yellow), 2 blackberry bushes, one red table grape plant (for Hunter) and a fig tree!

SEE GARDEN PROGRESS POST FOR PICTURES FROM BEGINNING TO NOW!