Each year we grow a fairly large garden. This year we’ve been including the kids more in the care and harvest of it. Each day, the children weed for 10 minutes. They can earn extra time on the Gamecube by weeding more. (if THAT wasn’t the BEST idea ever! :) ) The garden is in pretty good shape and we’ve had some fun discussions while we were out weeding together.

Right now peas, green beans, and zucchini are on. We pick and shell peas or snap beans together. I like chatting with the kids about any topic they choose while we pass the time preparing veggies to freeze or can.

One BIG plus from our garden is a definite savings in growing and canning my own produce. Another plus is the security of looking at my pantry shelves at the end of the season as they are full of beans, beets, salsa, tomatoes, applesauce and raspberries. I love knowing if we had a financial hardship, we have plenty on hand to eat.

If you’re growing a garden this year, I hope you are enjoying that next to FREE, fresh produce as much as I am this year!