All is not lost.

God is so good.


Even though (I know, I know...I've told you this before) we're leaving behind our gardens, He has still blessed us with spring goodness.

For the past few days, we've been enjoying loads of fresh strawberries from the garden patch.  There is nothing quite as special as a spring strawberry - so tender, so flavorful.  While my sister-in-law was here, I picked her off one (she'd never eaten one quite like this before) and she was surprised at how much rich it tasted and how it seemingly melted in her mouth.  They are incredible.  Incredible, I tell you!


I am very thankful we've been able to enjoy the bounty.  And really, it's been a blessing in teaching me to live for the moment.  Instead of portioning the berries and eating few (so that I can freeze them for winter), I've been a complete strawberry glutton.  And it's been awesome.

We've also been able to enjoy a bounty of arugula, spinach, and lettuce.  The loose leaf lettuce is in it's prime for picking - and the best part is we haven't lost any to pests!


It's been interesting in the garden this spring.  Remember last fall how we tilled the soil of that patch of land?  Well, the "trial" vegetables that I planted in there have done exceeding better than the vegetables in the raised beds.


For example, I've planted half a raised bed in beets, which are now about an inch or so tall.  The beets that were planted in the new plot of land are about 4 inches tall.  Same with the spinach.  And the arugula.

In fact, the arugula in the plot of land has already gone to seed (it's over a foot tall!), whereas the arugula in the raised bed only has two sets of true leaves.  Isn't that bizarre?


Maybe I added more manure than I thought to the new plot.


Regardless, the vegetables are growing very nicely.  Aileen came and planted a few more tomato plants last week, so her and Jason will have a wonderful bounty throughout the summer.


Oh, and quick update on the trash can potatoes: look at these bad boys!

Isn't that incredible!  They've already started to flower - I can't believe how healthy and rapid they've been growing.  This is totally how I am always going to grow my potatoes.  It couldn't be any easier.  And I love using the wood chips in there - they make it very easy to dig through (plus, they retain a ton of water so I don't have to water as often).  


Now, I'm just trying to figure out how I can transport three trash cans of potatoes to Alabama.


Hmm.  

Maybe I'll have to dump them, harvest what's grown thus far, and take some for seed potatoes so that I can start again once we get down there.  I just spent $40 on these wonderful trash cans, I ain't leavin' 'em behind!


There is bad news, however.  In my lapse of caring about the garden I'm leaving and busyness of moving, I did manage to kill my oh-so-important pepper, eggplant, butternut squash, and cucumber starts.


Yay me.


Oh a slightly different note, I've decided that instead of getting bogged down with all the work of gardening once we arrive in Fairhope, I will instead utilize container gardening for awhile.  Almost everything I grow in my gardens can easily be grown in pots & buckets, making it very easy to get started.


I've had to resign to the fact that until we own a house, it's not worth it to financially to continue and build these wonderful beds.  But containers can come with me easily anywhere and can quickly be moved around the house to their best suited needs.  I think for the time being, this will serve us well.


The seeds are packed and are anxiously awaiting some Alabama sunshine and heat.


Maybe I'll be able to enjoy a pepper, eggplant, cucumber, and tomato harvest after all.  Plus, it looks like the shallots and garlic may be ready to harvest before we leave!


Yes, my friends - God is so good.  He grants great comfort amongst great trials.  I've very thankful for each bite of goodness He's blessed us with from His soil.


How's YOUR garden coming?