DIDN'T MEAN TO KEEP YOU WAITING BUT

Yesterday's workout at Iron Body Studios was a scorcher.  Burned my ass but felt great.  I then when to Wilson's Farm in Lexington.  Later I did a little gardening.  Then I crashed.  The ultimate in tired.  Sleep is important for recovery so it was an early to bed Saturday night.

So back to this...

It is the first bud on one of my grape plants.  The other grape plant also has a bud but it is too small to photograph.  I have wanted to grow grapes forever and, last year when I saw my sister's grape vine with grapes, I knew this was the year. 

I am beyond excited.  I wasn't sure this dormant grape plant would come alive.  I ordered them online and when they arrived I didn't read all the instructions.  I stopped at keep in a cool, dry space.  Actually, the roots are suppose to be kept wet...hmmmm.  Fail or so I thought.

My sister had this big, beautiful grape vine.  Mine won't be as big.  I am attempting a smaller trellis.  We shall see. 

And did you know...you can use the young, tender grape leaves to make stuffed grapes leaves.  Nope, neither did I until my friend Kat told me that is what she did with hers.  My future may hold wine and stuffed grape leaves in a couple years.

More planting has been done and I love sharing photos...

Tomatoes (Right now we have 22 tomato plants in the ground.  There are many different varieties many which are Romas for sauce.)
 

in the raised bed.

in a pot

 

Broccoli

Spinach

Eggplant, a variety of peppers, spaghetti squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, potatoes, sweet potatoes and butternut squash has also been planted.  The asparagus from two years ago is flourishing. 

These guys are waiting to be planted...

Even with a small space you can grow a large variety of vegetables.  Its healthy and you know where your food is grown!

LET THE SUMMER BEGIN!!!!

Those who know me know I am not a fan of the summer months.  I prefer the cold of winter.  I am passionate about real food.  Good food fuels a healthy lifestyle.  Summer brings locally grown fruits and vegetables which I miss in the winter.   

I want my food to come as close to locally grown as possible  I don't want my fruit traveling from Mexico, California or Florida.  I don't want my fish/shrimp coming from China.  I prefer my meat to be locally raised in New England.

I've done veggie CSAs with the Food Project in Lynn and with Connor Farm.  My early in the year bounty...not only do you get great food but you get to explore the farm whether it be a small urban one in Lynn or a larger version such as Connor.

http://fitbottomedgirls.com/2013/05/what-the-heck-a-csa-is-and-why-you-should-consider-joining-one/

I've done a meat CSA with John Crow Farm.  (Unfortunately they recently went bankrupt but that is another story).  Let me just say...best eggs ever and I eat enough eggs to know good eggs.  The deep richness of the yolk is...well...yummy and beautiful. 

Love them both but nothing is better, though, than walking out your back door and picking tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, butternut squash, a variety of peppers, watermelon, garlic, corn, zucchini or fresh herbs.  I have deep basil love. 

Supper is whatever looks ripe, beautiful and delicious. 

I decided to get those cold weather veggies out there on time this year...when it was still cold.  This doesn't always happen.  What absolutely fantastic surprise awaited me...

Well...this

ASPARAGUS!.  They were planted last year.  You get asparagus in the spring of the following year and the year after that and if you cut them back correctly the year after that.

Here is what has been planted so far...broccoli and peas

The peas weren't staked in this pic but they are now.

And the new addition to my fruits is a grape plant.  I would show you a picture but at the moment that poor little plant isn't looking so great.  Stay tuned.

My garden is never the best looking one despite my best efforts.  Yet, it is productive and it keeps me happy all summer long and into the fall. 

Every garden needs someone or something to look after it.  I give you,

And in memory of our cockatiel, Luna, who died this past winter, the boy created this memorial for the garden.

If I can have a productive garden, so can you.  Start small.  Utilize the space you have.  I grow some of my plants in pots.  It works.  It is a great way to get started.  If you nurture your garden, you will not be disappointed.

Good food nourishes the soul.  It brings family and friends together.  Don't you want it to be healthy and delicious?

Please share your thoughts will me about starting a garden?  Do you have family stories to share?  I would love to see pictures of your garden.