Baby Produce

Late May is such a fun time in the garden! After watching all the fruit trees and bushes bloom in April and working hard to plant seeds and starter plants earlier in the month, the first baby fruits and vegetables begin to make their appearance. It is such a thrill to discover the garden's first crop. It's also a wonderful activity to share with young children. Each day while watering the plants, the boys and I will play "spot the baby". They love searching for new baby plants and watching how those they previously discovered grow and change.

This year's garden is turning into quite the nursery. For fruits, we have strawberries, raspberries, plumbs, nectarines, and grapes. In the herb garden, we are growing dill, mint, tarragon, and thyme. And on the vegetable front, we have planted cucumbers, eggplants, sweet peppers, and a lot (18 plants!) of zucchini.

So how does one get started with growing fruits and vegetables at home? There are a few elements to consider. First, how much space do you have available. One site that is helpful for determining what is best suited to your lifestyle and needs is the Better Home and Garden's overview of container gardening and full blown vegetable gardens. Once you decide whether to grow your produce in containers, raised beds, or some other medium, you will want to determine what grows well in your region. And last but not least, what vegetables do you enjoy eating. 

At the end of the day, growing fruits and vegetables is about having fun. I wish I could say that our garden yields enough to feed us. Unfortunately, it only covers a small fraction of our produce consumption. As such, I am ever so grateful for the grocery store down the street. If anything, I have developed a true appreciation for all the work that goes into getting those pretty fruits and vegetables from the field to the store.