How Does Your Garden Grow?: Our First Suburban-ish Garden

Almost a year ago, with the help of our families, Nicholas and I loaded up a U-Haul truck and headed to Wichita. We're not homeowners yet but we do live in a HOUSE. Not living in an apartment or duplex was kind of like semi-making it. :) I have lived in apartments for years. So, I was over them! I needed some space and grass and the ability to walk right up to my front door. I know, it kind of sounds like I am a little bit of a priss. But I kid you not, it's super annoying to lug bags of groceries up flights of stairs or to smell your neighbor's dinner in your kitchen. Anyhoo, the important part here is we are renting a house from family in a quiet neighborhood just right for us and have the opportunity to make it more homey than other rental opportunities. 

Case in point: Nick's first grown-up garden in our FRONT yard. No, that's not a typo. He definitely planted our garden in the front of our house! (And yes we have a backyard, but Garth inhabits that space and accepts any challenge to dig up whatever you put in front of him.) 

Last year, before we moved in, my mom and I spent hours trying to rehabilitate the front flower beds and the project turned out rather well. While the blooms added temporary curb appeal, in Nick's mind they didn't produce anything. Thus at our house, we have a new colloquialism: "You might be a Redneck if...you dig up your wife's flower bed to plant a full fledged garden in your front yard." (I say that with all the love in the world, hubby!)

2013 flower garden project

2014 vegetable garden project (before)

2014 vegetable garden project (after)

Nicholas spent a chunk of time, digging out the beds, hand tilling the space with a shovel, and then planting. I haven't been invited to help too much outside of the initial stages. But that's okay, it means I can't accidentally kill anything and I can still reap the benefits. So what does one grow in their semi-suburban front yard garden? Naturally, as much as you can fit! 

The round up:

• tomatoes
• radishes
• bell peppers
• jalapenos 
• hot peppers
• cabbage
• kitchen salad lettuces 
• red onions
• vidala onions
• cucumbers
• strawberries
• blackberries

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Last Sunday we had our first crop: LOTS of radishes! And hubby couldn't have been more happy about the haul! Count me out on radishes for the most part though {I'm trying...)! That said, I can say I am so very proud of his project. As his last days of work dwindle into his summer break, he can hardly wait to spend more time taking care of it. 

We're expecting a decent bounty this summer...stay tuned for the progress and likely recipes incorporating our home-grown produce! Until then, pray for nice rain, sunshine, and his green thumb...

-xo

PS his first use of the radishes was a radish, S& P and butter sandwich on white bread...he loves them! I can't quite wrap my head around the creation... but his MamMa taught him this summer treat...anyone else enjoy in this delicacy?

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bonus picture for the road! because how could I not include this?! Garth is our resident vegetable guard.