First Tomatoes

One of the selling points of this house for me was the two small raised beds in the backyard, perfect for the vegetable garden that I wanted to start. Several weeks ago, Drummer Boy prepped our raised beds and Princess and I planted some pea seeds. About 1 week later, we had little green stems popping up through the dirt!! I was so excited! They continued to grow to about 8 inches tall as of now. There are still no actual pea pods forming yet, but we are still watching for them.

About 2 weeks after planting the peas, we planted some tomato, bell pepper, jalapeno, basil, and rosemary plants. Even though they were already in the plant form when we put them in the ground, it was amazing to see how much they grew in just a few days! We have been checking them every 1-2 days, watering them regularly, pulling weeds around them, and giving them some plant food. Then...a couple of days ago, Drummer Boy noticed something...some teeny tiny tomatoes on our cherry tomato plant! That was really exciting for me, because honestly, I had this feeling that we might just have a season full of beautiful leafy plants with no vegetables. I tend to do that (expect the opposite of what I would like to happen, so that I'm not disappointed). We might actually have some vegetables that we can eat!!

I think it is so cool to watch God's design for creation in action. It is so great to be able to plant a seed (or a small plant), water it and give it sunlight, and watch it grow into a flowering, fruit- producing plant. And I think it is extra cool to be able to grow our own food. Last summer, I read a book that I highly recommend called Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. That book got me on this kick of wanting my own vegetable garden and supporting local farms and organic farming methods. But, I think it has always been in me because I remember wishing that I had grown up on a farm and wanting to be a farmers' wife when I grew up. I guess that will never happen (Drummer Boy has informed me that if that's what I want, I've married the wrong man), but I'm glad I can have my own little farming experience in the backyard of my suburban home. It's been a great learning experience for the kids also. I'm glad that Princess gets to see God's mighty creation at work. Even if none of the other plants produce anything (there I go again) I'm so happy to have my three little tomatoes!!