Adventures in Gardening – Week 1

As promised, this is my first update on my new vegetable garden! In case you missed last week’s post, we just installed the Backyard Botanical Oasis Garden, a self-contained raised bed garden that I’ve filled with almost 20 herbs and veggies! It’s awesome. Just 7 days after we first planted (and transplanted), beautiful things are happening! So exciting.

Look at this gorgeous bell pepper, for instance!

Maura was the first one to notice it, and she wuvs her pepper dearly.
She told me that when the plant is big, she’s going to give “wittle peppahs” to all the neighbors.
“Wow, that’s really nice and generous of you!” I said.
To which she responded, “That’s only because I don’t want to eat them, mom!” Haha!

Squash!
I saw this on Sunday. The little leaves broke through practically overnight!

Cucumber!
Isn’t it soooo pretty?

And there’s even more good stuff coming in…
Carrots, and onions, and beets! Oh my!

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MY DILEMMA

This Saturday, the girls and I are flying to Texas. We’ll be there for a while. 5-6 weeks, most likely. I’m not sure yet, as I only bought one-way tickets. This wasn’t planned. I only booked our flights a couple of days ago. I mean, we were going to go later on this summer, but not for such a long period of time. My family needs us there, though (and my sister gets married Saturday evening!)

So… who’s going to take care of the garden? I’d hate to see everything wilted and brown when we get back! While I am setting up an automatic watering system, I don’t trust it. What if the batteries die? The hose springs a leak? Or I set it to water too little? I need someone to check on it at least once a week. My husband is going to Bolivia for 3 weeks, so he’s out (not that he would want anything to do with it anyway!), and I can’t afford to pay anyone to watch over it, so I have to get creative.

What if… I ask one of my neighbor’s kids (a 6th grader who happens to love writing) to guest blog for the next 6 weeks? Let’s call her B for now. She can make up a pen name (or use her real name, with her parents’ permission) later on. I’ll give B a journal to take down notes, and she’ll email me her weekly report and photos for me to proofread and upload. She passes our house on her way home from the bus stop, so it’s not like she even has to go out of her way. B will be able to see if the plants are thirsty, give them an extra misting here and there, and I’ll have fresh content for my blog! Of course I’ll give her something in appreciation of her hard work. 😉

Doesn’t that sound like a great idea? B will have something cool to share with her future English and computer teachers, and my garden will be well taken care of. Yes, I’m a genius. I talked to her mom about it and she thinks it sounds wonderful… now let’s hope B agrees! I’ll meet with her tomorrow afternoon to discuss it.

This is what the garden looks like at the end of week 1!

The Backyard Botanical Oasis Garden pictured above can be purchased on the Backyard Discovery website for $549, including shipping. The company provided me with the garden at no charge, but all other supplies I bought myself, and all opinions are my own.