Sweet Fern Homestead : The beginnings

Dave and I have been outside building our fence every chance we get. The kids come out to visit occasionally, but I think they won't fully get what we are doing until we are planted and growing. I've honestly never felt quite so happy and content with life as I do when we are outside together, dirty, peaceful and filled with purpose.

I love the work, but Dave is the one who does more than seems possible some days. Sometimes I sit with a cup of tea and just watch him, waiting for when he needs my help and I feel the blessings of getting to choose to live life connected to the earth.

The garlic is about 8 inches tall, peas about an inch, lettuce is coming up, radishes have their first shoots, kale, spinach and cabbage are transplanted. This will be my first time growing these things in zone 6 so I am sure I have some of the timing off, but I'm going for it. I was never able to grow a beet in zone 5 in NH, so we'll see what I can do here in MA.

Onion starts and strawberry roots are on the way. Blueberry plants will be here soon. Six more chicken come in June. (We are planning to make chicken tunnels around the garden.)

Every morning we check on our seedlings and seeing their growth is like witnessing faith. Believing in seeds is pretty magical.

We have 2,000 square feet almost fenced, a long garden box outside the fence and grow bags that can moved around. I've spent the last few months drawing out plans and changing my mind and this week we will work on creating the inside lay out of the garden.

The thought of next year just having it all done is thrilling to me, it means we can think of new projects to keep us busy!!

I began gardening a few years ago with one garden box filled with herbs, then one with tomatoes. Eventually lettuce and arugula, cucumbers and zucchini. Each year a bit more. I learn something new. I try again.

I try again. I learn something new.

Plant something. Feel the reciprocity of it. I promise you'll be delighted.