Getting Garden Started - Portabellopixie

I don't think I have mentioned it here yet..? ?? We are living with family right now while we search for "the right place."? Our last home was crumbling beneath our feet and begging thousands upon thousands of dollars of repairs that were not being seen to by the owners, so we hit the road, Jack.? It was sad, really.? We loved the space, but the house is what you live in and if you don't own it, there is little you can do if it is falling apart.

Moving on.? We are living with gracious family whilst we search for a new home.? (Anyone in Missoula have a house to rent for the next few years?? Lemme know.)?

I had hoped upon hope that we would be in our own place come spring, so that we could have a garden.? When I realized it probably wasn't going to happen in time to plant a full on plot in our own space, I withdrew into a bit of self-pity-green-thumb-depression.? I was feeling mighty sorry for myself.? Last year, I had a mini movement going on in my yard.? We supplied ourselves with eggs, herbs and veggies..? all spring, summer and fall.? It was bliss.? We journaled the whole thing in a family watercolor book.?

The idea that I couldn't carry it on this year was heartbreaking to me.? And the kids..? When we moved there were several nights that Ethan would cry himself to sleep on my shoulder over the loss of his chickens.? (All chickens were found happy new homes, and we get to visit our favorites.? :)? It was heartbreaking to watch.? I felt horrible.. even though we knew leaving that house was the right choice.

So when spring finally rolled around and the green stuff started sprouting out of the ground.. instead of jumping for joy, I found myself feeling sad.? "Poor me.."

The kids started talking about "our garden" for the year because it has just become.. normal to them.? Of course you have a garden in the summer, why wouldn't you?? I started panicking with mom guilt.? I knew we wouldn't be moving in time to prepare a garden, and my in-laws weren't up for adding a garden plot to the yard.?

Weeks rolled on and I finally realized I was only making myself miserable.? I was able to pull myself out of the garden pity party and look at different options.? We decided to go with containers, which we already had anyway.? We stopped at my moms house and dug up sections of her herb garden, and so with containers already in hand and free plants, we have a nice little herb garden going at no cost.? We have added to it with some tomotoes and lettuce and a few other plants, I'll share pictures when it fills in a bit.

When I really started thinking about it all, I'm quite happy with our pint sized garden now.? My kids cant swim or ride a bike.? All the summers in the past where we would have done that were consumed with big gardens and yard work.? It was a blast, but this summer will be filled with bike rides to the park and trips to the pool.

We will still journal the whole thing and honestly, we just might have a fuller summer.

xo

Sandi

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