Do You Have Your Own Garden?

2015-07-07T22:44:53-04:00

After over 20 years of growing and gradually expanding his garden, yesterday, my father-in-law caved into pressure from some family/his friends and he decided to record a video tour of his garden. I jokingly say that his garden resembles a paradise of sorts...almost like something you'd expect to see on the other side of the pearly gates.

Very unfamiliar and inexperienced with the 'gardening scene', he has been a great reservoir of knowledge and experience, and we have been talking quite a bit about his garden.

He doesn't speak about this in his video, but, we have talked about all the cost/financial savings involved with growing a garden. I love my steak and dairy, but, he also swears by a plant-based diet/lifestyle, courtesy of his garden...I would definitely have to do more research in this regard, but he at least says that he has seen drastic improvements in his health and quality of life since implementing that type of lifestyle--I could certainly see a 'cost savings' there.

Honestly, it really seems like one of the best investments a person can make.

So, I'm curious....who here has their own garden?

Have you had your garden for awhile?

Could you talk more about the challenges, and benefits (financial? health? etc), that you have encountered when growing/cultivating it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhdBOGIPVB8&feature=share

Early-Summer Organic Garden Tour

* CLICK SHOW MORE * Today, I am very excited to take you on a 23-minute tour of my entire early-summer organic garden! Over the last 25 years, I have poured ...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 7 at 2015 11:28 PM

2015-07-07T23:28:02-04:00

In our previous home CPT Private RallyPoint Member, we had We had a small garden with azaleas, rhododendron, a nice dwarf Japanese maple, tomato plants, cucumbers, and a small apricot tree and various ornamental cherry trees, a blue spruce, and large flowering apricot. Years ago I had built boxes for the azaleas and the vegetable garden. While recovering from mitral valve repair surgery I carved out an area under the flowering apricot tree into a heart shape and put red mulch and red stone to flesh out the heart which was at least 12 feet wide at the top of the heart.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 7 at 2015 11:42 PM

2015-07-07T23:42:48-04:00

Wow. A true labor of love. Thank you for sharing.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-07-08T10:35:52-04:00

I was raised on a family farm. Regardless of where we lived or moved, my family has always grown and canned our own food. We grew up extremely fit and healthy. I have continued this tradition with my own family and grow a vegetable/fruit garden as well as a flower garden. Working in my garden is one of my favorite activity to do at home. I get to be outside and get dirty. Though my garden is not nearly as big what I was raised with, I am teaching my children the love of gardening and hard work. The benefits of owning a garden far outweigh the costs. Once we find our land, we plan on growing a larger family farm to include a green house for year round use.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-07-08T22:23:19-04:00

Starting the garden is one of the very first things I do at any property I own - before the boxes are all unpacked. Ours must have a koi pond (the koi) travel with us), and lots of butterfly/hummingbird attracting plants. For me the health benefits are much more about the physical activity and stress relieving outdoor enjoyment than about anything we grow to eat. However, I love growing berries that we can eat right off the bush. Our 3 ducks produce my morning omelet each day and also alert us to anything unusual happening in the yard - like the great blue heron that was eyeing the koi one day. The sound of a water feature (or several) is also an essential addition the garden for me and for all the wildlife it attracts. To sum up, my garden style is one that houses our animals and invites the more pleasant wildlife to come visit our oasis.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-07-11T13:14:47-04:00

Beautiful!!! I have always lived in apartments so my balcony is full of potted planted. I wish o had a yard.

Response by SPC Anna Larson made Jul 16 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-07-16T13:14:58-04:00

I keep a vegetable garden every year. I'm able to save money on fresh vegetables all season because I pick them out of my own garden and I know they aren't full of pesticides like somethings you buy at the store. Also it gets me out of the house and moving so health wise it keeps me active.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-07-19T11:53:13-04:00

I got into vegetable gardening a few years back. I never really bothered with "flowers", though my wife does to a degree. We hit August and it's a free grocery month. Picked up a flock of backyard hens, too.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 15 at 2015 4:42 PM

2015-09-15T16:42:31-04:00

Yes...Actually it's more like a Jungle.

Response by PO2 Kayla Modschiedler made Nov 20 at 2015 10:48 PM

2015-11-20T22:48:59-05:00

I have a small raised garden for veggies and 2 corner garden s for flowers

Response by CPT Ray Gilmore made Sep 13 at 2018 1:08 PM

2018-09-13T13:08:02-04:00

My wife got me into it, as an adaptive Reconditioning activity she had read about.

We started small and exploded from there. Now fill two freezers every summer, saving our family thousands a year in produce bills; and share our excess with family, friends and neighbors.

We've had 20+ local families come through and pick this week.

It is a worthy investment, and a great skill to have.

Response by LCpl Sidney Green made Mar 17 at 2021 10:47 PM

2021-03-17T22:47:25-04:00

I have a small balcony that doesn't get a lot of sun. My goal is to give some hope and inspiration to those of us with tiny spaces, but still have a love of gardening. Your father-in-law's garden is spectacular. Thanks for sharing.