Structure additions this year only included two 9x4 raised beds for the vegetable garden. That project in itself became quite a deal with a large amount of dirt moved from the front yard to the back. Otherwise, there were a few plant additions and the typical clean-up from last year getting everything in shape. It is a never ending project, but that's one of the things we like about it.

Most of our new planting went in the ground early. It became clear by March 17 that we would escape the rest of the winter and early spring without significant threat of frost, and the green light was give to plant it all. We are taking full advantage of what should be one of the longer growing seasons you will ever see around here.

After a miserable 2011 which saw extreme heat, drought, hail, and insects destroy just about everything we tried to grow, this year the garden has responded with its best effort to date. Nice amounts of rain and temperatures in check have brought it to life like we never would have expected. There were plenty of things give up for dead last year which look better than ever now. I've never seen a garden so alive. We have attracted thousands of butterflies, bees, garden snakes, and birds. Everything is blooming and green and just seems to be in motion all the time.

Vegetables this year include: 6 tomato plants (3 varieties) / 3 varieties of pepper plants / broccoli / carrots / radishes / 2 varieties of onions / 3 varieties of potatoes and cucumber. We also added 15 strawberry plants and have already enjoyed harvesting those. To continue to do so however will force me to build some protection from the birds which have already taken to their presence.

We have dodged a couple of hail events, and we are just now getting into the meat of the storm season. So, fingers are crossed that our luck there will continue and the heat of 2011 won't return.