The end of the swingset era

leads to the beginning of a bountiful harvest.

When we moved to Fergus Falls in the Fall of 2002, one of the first things we did the following spring, was to put up a swingset for the girls.  At that time, they were ages 2 and 5.  My dad and my younger brother helped with the construction and it was the place to be in the back yard for years.  In fact, my nephew, Nixin referred to the swingset as "The Park."

Time passed and the lure of the swingset faded. Now as Abby is 14, she has no use for it and even Angelique (although 10) doesn't spend much time on it. I really wanted to expand our garden and move it to a location which got more sun. At first, Angelique was hesitant to give up the swingset, but once Steve promised to hang two swings on the oak tree in the corner of our lot, she gave her consent.

So bye-bye swingset.  The slide got a new life at another home after we put it at the end of our driveway as a free-give-away.  Steve created two new 10x12 raised gardens.  One in the former swing set location (much sunnier) and one in the original garden location.

Angelique was my assistant and we carefully planned out our plantings.  Box number 1 was filled with tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, basil and squash (plus some pretty flowers).

Box number 2 had beans, ornamental corn, dill, chives, peas, cucumbers and onions.  The raised beds were easy to keep weeded and the soil was rich, giving us lots of fresh delicious veggies.  Angelique definitely appreciates the process of planting, watering, weeding and harvesting.  I have to say, that Abby just isn't much of an outdoor girl, although she likes the results!