CONTAINER GARDENING

Some of you may remember last year I did a square foot garden, which is basically planting in a raised bed. It ended up not doing so well. I put my box on my front patio which is a cement ground and is enclosed by a brick wall. I think that fried my plants. So, this year I am trying container gardening. I am finding it to be super easy. I have decided to put my plants on my screened-in sun porch. It doesn't get full sun all day so I am very curious as to how my plants will do. We will see. So far so good. I am already getting flowers on my tomato plants. Woo hoo!

I also put one of my tomato plants and a box of basil out behind my house to see how they do there. I'm just kind of experimenting this year.

I didn't plant a whole lot this year because I signed up with a CSA. What is a CSA you ask? Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share ("membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. My friend who has been doing organic gardening for many, many years decided to do a CSA so I joined hers. I have been getting loads of yummy produce each week, so I didn't need to plant a lot myself. I just planted tomatoes and herbs (parsley, rosemary, dill, mint, basil and oregano). I love using fresh herbs in my cooking. There is nothing like it. Oh, and there are two plants that I have no idea what they are. I started them by seed and didn't label it, thinking I would remember what they were. But I don't. We'll just have to wait and see!

Finally made a decision...

I have been going back and forth on whether to homeschool Maleah for kindergarten or not. There are so many positives to homeschooling, but it definitely comes with some challenges. We looked at a private school that we were very impressed with and thought very seriously about sending her there. I was going crazy trying to make a decision. One day I felt like I wanted to homeschool, and the next day I wanted her to have the education and experience of going to the private school. I FINALLY made a decision that I think is the right one. We are going to homeschool. I'm actually pretty excited about it. I was remembering when she was a baby and I couldn't wait to homeschool her and how much fun I thought it would be. I also started thinking about how much bonding time Maleah and I will get. I get to choose the curriculum that I want to use to teach her, according to her learning style. I get to choose who she is influenced by and who she spends her day with. We won't have to get up super early to get ready for school. We can actually sleep in if need be. I plan on doing lots of "field trips", not only for fun but for great learning opportunities. Another great benefit will be of homeschooling is that Maleah won't be limited to daily interaction and socializing with just kids her own age, but with many different people including adults and even younger children.

So, this is what we are doing for kindergarten. Who knows what next year will bring. Five is such a tender age. I want to nurture and protect her for as long as I can. I want to make sure a solid foundation is established before sending her out into the world. Our children stay little for such a short period of time and I want to hold on to these younger years for as long as I can.