Project #12: Grow Your Garden

{Finally putting the garden gloves to some use-  love Springtime!!}

A little over a week ago on one of these gorgeous 80-something degree days we've been having, Christian (my 2-year old) and I planted a bunch of seeds for our gardens.  (While our almost-4-month old took a beautiful-wonderful-heavenly-loooong nap.)

{image found here}

I'm a pretty lazy gardener.  I garden because I love how gardens look, smell, taste, etc, because I want to bring flowers inside & cook with the herbs & vegatables, and most of all, because I just love to be in & around them...  But let me repeat:  I am a lazy gardener.  I'm not really at that therapeautic stage of gardening that so many people I know are at.  At this point in my life, I just want a beautiful usable garden as quickly and easily as possible.  I enjoy  gardening, but it's for the end result that I'm gardening.  (Hopefully one day I'll get back to that whole therapeutic thing...  in high school I looooved it)

{My Helper}

But, I am getting a little better, and this year instead of buying plants from the store like I usually do, inspired by my mom & my friend Amy, I actually planted the seeds myself (and of course with assistance from my helper)  (Okay, Okay, I know it's "sow the seeds" but that's just not they way we say it.)   Of course, it was all done the lazy way.  We used soil from one of our gardens (because we forgot to get potting soil) and I think we might be a bit late in the season, but better late than never.  I'm pretty sure we put way too many seeds in each pot because we ran out of pots.  We haven't exactly watered them consistently, but in under a week, seedlings sprouted!!!  It's so much better than watering dirt!  For actual directions on doing this the right way, check out this article.  But I am waaaaay to lazy (or busy) for that right now...  although maybe we'll separate them out when they get bigger if I can get my hands on some more containers. 


{The sprouts in our sunny laundry room}

Christian is so excited!!  We did basil, zinnias, tomatoes, chives, dill, cilantro & parsley.  We'll put them outside after danger of frost and when we actually get to it.  (I'm hearing Mother's Day is safe)

Outside, we put carrots and lettuce ("Le Tuce") in the ground... 


The lettuce sprouted and I can't wait to eat it.  (There's no better lettuce than fresh-from-the-garden lettuce :)

{Le Tuce Sprouts!}

So, if you haven't done it already (and it works for you seasonally) Project #12 is to pick up a few seed packets from the store and pop them into some containers for your garden- be it indoor or out.  It's so easy - especially the lazy way ;)

xoxo,
lauren

16 comments:

debra @ 5th and state said...

i love this post lauren!

my father gave me seeds as a child and my future career path was formed, instantly!

what a perfect experience for christian.
ps; if you have the space pumpkins are great fun for children. when the pumpkins are 1/2 grown lightly etch their name in the skin, (use a pen)as the pumpkins grow so does their name
enjoy!
debra

Free Art Printables said...

I think it is so exciting to watch everything grow from seed! I love starting my garden that way!

Kathysue said...

Lauren I have never planted seeds but it is a great lesson for little guy to see things grow like that. I did plant a pear tomatoe and lettuce in a pot. I am waiting to see if I actually get to eat anything from it. I thought it would be fun to pick my own salad, we shall see. I spent the day on sprucing up my front porch you can read about it on my blog post. I am making progress but not done enough for a reveal.I just hope it looks good enough to reaveal,lol. Enjoy your time with your precious little ones, I love seeing what you are doing with and for them, Kathysue

Tina said...

Love it Lauren:) How wonderful that you planted seeds instead of buying plants. It is Autumn here and too cold to plant anything for outside, but I have wanted to plant wheat grass in pots for my kitchen, so thanks for the push I needed to do it:) Hope you enjoy your wonderful vegies and herbs from your garden:) ~ Tina x

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

great idea, now I just need a garden ;)

Anonymous said...

Good luck! I'm also a lazy but very passionate gardener and I have NEVER been successful at moving seedlings outside. My helper and I planted them directly in the ground about 2 weeks ago and yesterday we spotted our first watermelon sprouts- we're so excited!!

Julie

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Your sprouts look great its so fun to start from seed. We have little herb plants starting to come up, our little helper has a great time taking care of them. I like the end result too but each year Im getting more and more into it.

nelya said...

I'm even lazier then you. I have the seed packets all ready to go. The seeds are still in them. ;0)

Yours look great! And you have the best little helper.

Stephanie Sabbe said...

I miss my garden! we are excited to be moving into a new apartment with big windows, so hopefully we can do some indoor gardening!

red ticking said...

fabulous post... i am so into gardening... wish i had a little helper like you do... simply precious xx

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Oh, how fun and your helper is the cutest!!! We started our garden last month and have had so much fun with it! Hope you enjoy your day! Oh, love your clients after, wonderful job!
Take care
Kristin

Anonymous said...

This is not lazy gardening! It looks great. After 2 years of starting things from seed, we never did it again. I need to get motivated!


http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/new-art-and-guidelines-for-picture-hanging/

gigi girl said...

Lauren,
Many years ago when my daughter was small, we planted our first garden. She helped my husband and I and I can still remember that day which is vivid in my mind! Forming memories are so important in young families and it is also so interactive and therapeutic. I still have a vegetable and herb garden and now I grow all of my garden in very large pots! It helps when you have a bad back! There is something to be said about when the seeds begin to grow and your children see how plants and flowers evolve. What a inspiring moment when we garden! But, the end result is what makes it all worth while!

Anonymous said...

You have just made me want to plant a garden! Love the photos...beautiful~

LindsB said...

I wish I had the room to plant things- I dont think seads would grow on the blacktop :)

I cant wait to see more of your garden as the summer goes on!

Leietageren said...

Oh, I know the problem with never enough pots... But for the first time this year I used newspapers. Just roll the paper around a glass and fold it underneath. It is easy and it functions really well. Here is where I got the idea:

http://fattighuset.blogspot.com/2010/03/oioioi-for-et-liv.html