Let's Get This Garden Started

Steps to starting a garden:
1. Ask everyone you know in Ankeny if they know of any Community Garden plots (since your yard isn’t quite garden suited.)
2. Think it is a lost cause.
3. Thank your lucky stars when J.’s friend connects you with a Master Gardener who connects you with the Des Moines County Extension Service. (J is from Newburgh, her friend in Ankeny).
4. The lady from Extension knows a gardener in Ankeny who has 2 ideas, both of which you have tried without success.
5. Same lady then says, “You know what, our church has a plot that we usually grow food for the poor, but we can’t this year, let me check with our Pastor”. She then calls back and says, “You can use the plot – no rent, free water, just give your extra produce to the poor.” Sounds like a Win/Win to me!
6. Do a Happy Dance (only in your head – you don’t think to do the happy dance until you are driving down the road).
7. That night go see the plot and get plants and seeds. Put some of the seeds into peat pots, leaving some for the kids to do later.
8. The next day – hit the garden (after fixing the garage remote that got stuck on "ON" and drying out the car from the water spill.)
9. Joel is a fantastic helper in the morning. (Anna more of a spectator)

10. The big kids get busy after school.