Growing...or hoping to grow

Today, for our Fantastic Friday, I decided to build and plant a garden with the kids.  I had seen a really great garden box built out of concrete blocks on Pintrest.  So, I decided to give it a try.  The last time I planted a garden, it was in the ground and required tons of weeding.  Hopefully, this above the ground garden will produce as much fruit without the weeding.
We started by drawing our garden and what we wanted to plant.  Then we made a list of the supplies that we would need. 


Sounds simple...yes?  Well, we went to Lowe's and after spending an hour gathering our supplies were told that they couldn't load the promised concrete blocks into my van because they were all out.

...sigh...

We left the supplies and went to Home Depot.  After spending another hour picking out our supplies, and paying (thankfully they had the blocks!), we were ready to roll.

We scoped out the backyard for the best place to plant.  We wanted a place that would get morning sun and afternoon shade as it will begin to get very hot all too soon here in Arizona.  After locating the perfect place, we set to work.

The older boys unloaded the van using a wagon...and Seth took advantage of the empty wagon on the return trips...haha.  Here are a few pictures.

We rolled out the weed paper and placed the concrete blocks around.  Then it was time to fill with soil.

 I think Seth was hoping to grow a Thomas the Train plant...haha.

Finally the garden was filled. We may need to get a little more soil and fill to the top.

The kids were really eager to plant the seeds.  So, while they planted, I filled in our "garden map" so that we will be able to remember what was planted where.  

I really love how the blocks naturally make little planters for herbs and things.

Lastly we added water.

The best thing about this spot for our garden is that it gets morning sun and afternoon shade.

And, as we were planting, I noticed that our grapevine is starting to sprout. Yay!

I wonder what it would take to actually live off of the land? ...more land?  haha.

To go along with our garden, I thought it would be good for the kids to see just how things sprout.  So, we are sprouting a few beans in a ziploc bag to give a visual for what is happening under the soil.

I will update with new pictures as things begin to grow so check back in a few weeks.