The garden is ready and planting has started!

We spent Monday evening preparing the garden for planting.  Jeff put down fertilizer and tilled it in and got the ground all smoothed out and ready, with some help from Paul. Jim and I kind of supervised and admired the progress.

The garlic is coming up!

More planning going on....

Paul gave Jeff a break and ran the tiller for awhile.

It sure looked nice when they were done!

Last night (Tuesday), Jeff, Jim, Paul and Jake helped get some things in the ground before the rain that is predicted tonight.  They planted 350 hills of potatoes, head lettuce and carrots.  Jeff also started preparing the ground for an asparagus patch.  I had no idea it was as labor intensive as it is, but hopefully, it will come back year after year!  I plan on stopping up tonight and see if I can get my hands dirty doing something!

Potatoes are in the trench!

The decided to use a furrower attachment behind the tiller to
plant potatoes. Apparently, it worked great!

Although the winds were blowing terribly tonight, I stopped at the garden to check on the progress and see what Jeff was up to.  He was digging the second part of the trench for the asparagus patch. After I saw what  he was doing, I decided I wouldn't be able to handle it in my flip flops!

Jeff digging the trench for the asparagus patch.

They planted potatoes in seven rows from these pink flags to
those all of the way down almost to where Jeff is standing.

While they were planting potatoes, they made trenches
for everything else, too! Hopefully, next week, cabbage,
 broccoli and cauliflower!

I left Jeff to continue his trench in the crazy wind...

We are all excited about the promise of spring and everything that brings.  This weekend is Easter.  A time of new beginnings.  We are so blessed that we are able to experience another new beginning in our garden this year.  We pray for a good year for the garden and look forward to passing those blessings on.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:26

It may be cold outside, but....

Year four of the PCUMC Seeds of Hope Food Pantry Garden is underway!  It's hard to believe with the arctic blast we are experiencing outside!  Here is what the garden looked like this week:

Although you can't tell from this picture, but the garden is already thriving!  Jeff has planted hundreds of seeds and they look great!  Here are a few pictures Merri shared with me!

Jeff and Merri purchased a "little greenhouse"
for the seedlings.  (Merri won't have to sacrifice her dining
room table this year!)

These little guys are stretching to the sun!

I'm not sure exactly what this is, but
it seems to be thriving!

       

 And Jeff, our own plant whisperer, himself!

     

Here's the full greenhouse

Jeff said so far he has planted cabbage, broccoli, peppers, lettuce, cauliflower and tomatoes.  This project would not be possible with out the dedication and hard work of people like Jeff and Merri. They continue to keep us inspired and excited even when it's 3 degrees outside! :)

The garden conversations in the church kitchen have been going on for a few weeks already. It's great to have something to look forward to this summer!  So, until then, think warm thoughts!!

Blessings to you from the garden!