A Family Affair

Gardening isn't just a hobby, it's a family tradition.

Grandma Lee always had a huge garden of vegetables, fruit, and flowers.  I used to love spending summers on her farm. Sometimes I'd wake up early so I could stroll barefoot in the dew covered grass and visit the raspberry and strawberry patches for breakfast. It was also fun gathering up a basket of fresh produce for dinner.

Grandpa Finocchio had a small herb garden and a clump of some of the most gorgeous double-petaled pink peonies.  Every time I see my peonies bloom in the Spring, I think of the ones they had.

My parents are into gardening -- big time. I joke with my dad that at the rate they're going, soon all he'll be able to mow are paths.  My mom has always had lots of gardens, even when we had a small yard.  She tried to get me interested in her work throughout my school years, but at some point I never had "time" for such things. Now I fully appreciate their beautiful yard, and I get to hear how great their yard is every time Eric and I visit.

Mom did a wonderful thing when my sister and I were young.  She gave each of us small plots to work.  She took us to a garden center and let us pick out seeds that we wanted to grow, and sometimes some small potted annuals. We always had something to show for the summer.

I've gotten Eric psyched about growing our own vegetables and herbs.  We've got 10 tomato plants and 1 eggplant in this year, along with several types of herbs.  He's a home brewer, so it only made sense that we try out growing Hops.  We have two types, one was a gift from the owners of my favorite nursery, and it's doing really well.  You might say, too well. This photo was taken about 2 weeks ago.  All of the hop vines are up to the top of the porch railing now, and one has just topped the rail.  Looks like we're going to have a bumper crop this year!

Tyler is showing a lot of interest in digging and watering.  I anxiously await the day when he's old enough to tend his own little plot of land and be part of our family tradition.