February 27, 2008...11:37 am
A dirty challenge - Gardening!
Okay, yes, I know it’s not even March yet, and you are not supposed to even plant anything around here before the snow is off of Bogus…BUT! The increasing cost of groceries has had me musing lately about building up a “true” garden plot and actually learning how to grow things. A story in today’s Idaho Statesman Life Section about that very thing cemented my resolution for a personal garden this year! Besides the cost savings, it’s a great way to teach kids about where food comes from - and that while money doesn’t grow on trees (or bushes) food certainly can! Last year picking the modestly sized pumpkins was a major event at our house! Of course our neighbors who seem to know the secrets of good gardening put us to shame with the 25 they picked - compared to our 3!
In Hidden Springs, we have a wonderful resource of an organic “farm” tended by the soil sisters…but I think I can do it for cheaper than buying a farm share - and get the veggies we’ll actually eat! 
The trick is actually being able to grow something in our hard clay soil that hangs onto every possible drop of water for weeks! (I stepped into our back yard this weekend, and felt like I was walking through a grassy marsh!)
So…I’m thinking Tomatoes, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Peppers, and maybe a couple pumpkins (for Halloween). That daydream is all well and good, however, I have not seemed to have a green thumb the last couple years (my tomato plants did not turn red until well after Labor day last year…and I figured out way too late, it was in part due to too much water.) I also planted several corn plants but found out that my dog thought they tasted pretty good, and it wasn’t long before every stalk was uprooted and digested…
I’ve grown from seed before, and I’m considering doing it again, but I also might go check out the plant sale at the end of April at the Idaho Botanical Gardens. (April 26 from 9-3)
So, I guess I will figure out a time to take some classes! Are you up for the dirty challenge this year? Let me know if you know of any good classes coming up in the next few months!
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