Seedtime

Genesis 8:  22  

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Ecclesiastes 3:  1-2

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

A time to be born, and a time to die;  a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

Jeremiah 29:  4-6

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have cause to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;  Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;  Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters, that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

Times are tough for a lot of folks right now.  Finances are tight.  Daily we hear more and more disheartening news and policies coming from Washington.  There is destruction across the earth, both natural and manmade.  Thankfully our hope doesn't come from Washington.  Our hope comes from the Lord and He will continue to hold us in the palm of His Hand.   The above passage from Jeremiah is a reminder to us today that even though times seem troubled and we may worry day to day about what troubles may await us tomorrow, we are to continue living today, building houses, planting gardens, finding spouses for our children and increasing our families.  

So, we are planting our garden now.  Praying for a fruitful yield at harvest time and looking forward to having fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs throughout the summer and with plenty to preserve for the winter as well.

A couple of weeks ago we ordered heirloom seeds from Baker Creek. 

Non-GMO seeds that will grow vegetables from years gone by, whose seeds can be saved for planting in the future.  

We will have a variety of tomatoes and peppers, squash, zucchini, and turnips.

Leeks and marigolds.

Peas and more tomatoes

Purple cornflower--beautiful and useful.

Beautiful turnips

We planted a dozen strawberry plants last year and they multiplied.  We dug out 28 "babies" and transplanted them.  Four of the strawberry plants now reside in Jordan's planters on the deck.

24 more strawberry plants in a newly made raised bed.

Eight raised beds ready for planting.

Broccoli seeds are planted.

So are the turnip seeds.

And onions.

And spinach.

And a variety of lettuces.

We started composting a few years ago.

Keeping the compost covered helps it to heat up which allows it to break down sooner.

It's not quite ready to use right now.

Lots of natural materials.

So are you planning a garden this year?  What are you planting?