Planting Seeds in Dodge......Literally!

  When springtime was approaching we were asked to go help another member family roto-till their garden plot down at a community garden.   The husband had injured his shoulder and asked us to help.  Working in their garden got us missing our garden back home.  We wondered how we might grow one here at or near our apartment complex.   The Garcia family from our ward lives right behind our apartment complex.   We have been over to their house a few times and we love them!   We approached Brother Garcia about working together with their family to plant a garden in their backyard.   He said they had never planted a garden before, and seemed a bit hesitant at first.   Later, he approached me and said their family was now enthused about trying to plant a garden.   In the meantime, Brother Brinkerhoff from the ward offered to lend the Garcias his roto-tiller to prepare their land.   So, on Memorial Day, good Brother Brinkerhoff took some time away from being with his family to drive into town (he lives 40 minutes away) and bring his roto-tiller.   He and Brother Garcia and I (Ron) took turns tilling the soil.  It was pretty hard and needed several passes.   The excitement level was building with the whole Garcia family as they saw this plot of land being transformed into a family garden.    Next step was to go to the nursery and pick out some plants.

The whole family invited us to come with them to the nursery to pick out plants.  The two older daughters Dayanara and Yarelli (they have 4 children) were excited to pick out their seedlings.  The family had met and each child was allowed to pick out the plants they wanted to grow in the garden.   Next, it was seed bed prep time.

Brother Garcia and I made some rows for planting and the two girls inspected to be sure they were straight.   They were not very straight, but passed inspection anyway.   Next was planting time.

Each of the three oldest kids (including oldest brother Damian) dug the holes for the tomato plants, then planted and watered them just the right amount.    They continued planting and as they did Sister Williams drew a pretty diagram to help them remember what was planted in each area of the garden.  They planted a combination of seeds and seedling plants.

When we were all done, the proud gardeners posed for a picture!

We go back on a regular basis to check on the garden and it looks fantastic!   The corn seeds have sprouted and are growing great, along with all the other plants.   A bunny might have eaten some of the leaves off of one watermelon plant, but otherwise the garden is thriving!   As Kathy posted previously, we later went over for a joint family home evening and we talked about gardening, planting seeds and watering and helping the garden grow.  We then turned to Alma Chapter 32 and talked about how we can likewise plant seeds of faith in our hearts and nurture them to grow as well.   It was one of the best Family Home Evenings I have ever attended.   Who could have guessed that all those years of working in our little backyard garden was actually mission prep, and that this sweet family would be so excited to learn how to plant a garden in their backyard.   We really feel blessed to be a part of their family in this way.