So I'm not exactly a blogger, but I'm making a half-hearted attempt to keep track of my family's first ambitious garden.  I've always raised a few plants, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, etc. But this year, our first full summer in our new home, I'm planning a big garden to feed my family of 5.

Here's my before.

Not much going on, including grass.  It's never grown in well, and I spent much time last summer thinking of ways to landscape to disguise my sad lack of grass.  Then I realized how much the produce in our area keeps going up, and up, and up.  My kids, thank God, eat TONS of fruits and veggies.  Great for their bodies, sad for my wallet.

So, my goal is to use square foot gardening, and supply everyone with plenty of fresh veggies for the summer.  Anything leftover will be blanched and vacuum-sealed, or canned (once I learn...).

Here's phase one: pre-March 2nd snowstorm:

Here's a 4ft by 30ft spot in front of my house, and my youngest, Lyla.  She's a great supervisor.  I spent that lovely 65-degree Sunday a'digging.  You know, before 6" of snow fell.  Only in Virginia...

I'm also attempting to make my own greenhouse.  I found a lovely Pin using a shelf with plastic over it.  It's worth a shot!

So here's my price list so far.  Shovel: $7.99.  Seeds: $61.50.  Using wax-free Dixie cups for starters: $4 (so far).  Potting mix: $6.  Repurposed shelves: $8.  Plastic tablecloths: $2.

Tonight's project is to start soaking the seeds, so tomorrow I can put them in some soil.  Updates to come later!