Why a Vegetable Garden?

In the previous post I started with reasons that I probably not the type of person who should take on the challenge of starting a vegetable garden. So why am I doing it anyway?

1. There is nothing as good as fresh vegetables.
2. I have a toddler that needs to eat fruits and vegetables. Having those foods readily available to us will make it easier for me to make sure those are always a part of our meals. It also wouldn't hurt my husband or myself to eat them more!
3. My toddler loves being outside so we spend lots of time in our backyard. It is easy for us to have daily opportunities to work on the garden, because we are in the backyard anyway.
4. I like a challenge and like to see a finished project that I can be proud of. I am a crafter and would rather make something than buy it because I enjoy the process as much as the product.
5. It will be good for me for multiple reasons- being outside, doing physical work, having to be dedicated to a project, the chance to learn something new.
6. It reminds me of my grandparents. They often shared fresh produce with my family that they grew or picked. When I was a newlywed, my grandmother sent me many packages of peaches, berries, tomatoes and peas. She has passed away so those memories of her thoughtfulness are sweet to me. My grandfather has a garden in his backyard and sent fresh tomatoes to my son because tomatoes are one his favorite foods. They used to come to me because I love them but now they come to my son :). I already shared that this gives me an opportunity to learn from my grandfather too.

Those seem like good enough reasons to me!

Raised Vegetable Gardening- The Beginning

I cannot keep a houseplant alive. I live in Texas, with blistering summer sun and unpredictable seasons. I know next to nothing about anything to do with horticulture. So what have I decided to do? I am starting a vegetable garden! That makes sense doesn't it?

I titled the blog "Raising" Our Garden because we have decided to do a raised bed vegetable garden. That means we (by "we" I mean just my husband) are building a bed and filling it with soil rather than planting directly into our ground. Why? Basically, because we became first time homeowners in the last year and I really don't want to tear up part of our nice new yard while we are still trying out gardening. It also seems a little simpler because I am not interested in the challenge of getting our soil to cooperate.

What do you do when you have no experience in something you want to try? You call in someone who does. I had looked at books and websites to look at different suggestions for gardens. But then I called in the expert, my grandfather Pete. He has a raised garden and has done vegetable gardening for years. He explained what I needed to know in a much better way than any of the other resources I looked at. He made me even more excited about it! I am really going to enjoy learning from him.

We are creating our plans and hitting the lawn and garden centers today. Wish us luck!