Yesterday the temperatures here were over 90.   90?!!  Usually, in Nebraska, the nineties don’t come til the end of June and into July.  With only a couple weeks left of school the kid’s minds are already on summer vacation, now it actually feels like it too.  I always feel for the teachers this time of year.  The combination of the calendar, warmer weather and spring activities must make each day feel like an uphill battle to keep the kids on task.  Luckily,  with cooler days on the way, we will be back to spring-like weather soon.

Our plan for Mother’s Day, as is every year, was to put in the remainder of our garden.  But because of the high temps and winds we decided to wait, for the benefit of the plants.  Although it was still hot and windy yesterday, as the sun started to set it cooled off and the winds died.  Samuel and I stayed outside after baseball to get our remaining plants in the ground.

We’ve doubled (and then some) the size of our garden this year. More tomatoes, peppers, herbs, lettuces…and of course our traditional sunflowers. This year for Easter, instead of a basket full of candy and a toy or two I filled small flower pots with a few of their favorite candies and seeds for the garden.  Each boy got an annual, perennial and something that we would eat.  We planted them that day.  They’ve always loved helping with our garden, but I thought if each boy had something of their own to watch, they might be more invested.

Ben loves arugula (he also got zinnias and daisies) and has been faithfully watching over their growth.  It was fun to watch his excitement as the first green leaves began peeking out of the ground.  Samuel has his sunflowers (along with zinnias and beets).  They were the first to make an appearance and it looks like we will have many beautiful, sunny blooms come July.  Henry is watching his zinnias, coneflowers and nasturtiums, checking each day with a watchful eye and reporting their progress.

With plants in place and seeds growing more and more daily it seems our garden is on it’s way. Today, Henry and I will put the finishing touches on the rabbit fence, also a new addition to our garden this year.  Between our large, yellow lab and a family of bunnies on the other side of the fence, without it, our little plants don’t stand much of a chance.

What are you growing in your gardens this year?

<< Spread the love!