Green Daily

It's raining. Again. We are now officially floating out of the drought suffered last summer. And my family's running out of ideas and patience for staying indoors. Meanwhile, our vegetables are soaking it up and reaching farther up into the sky each day.

The budget is aiming high as well. My neighbors and I have spent almost $500 among us on seeds, plants, soil and various supplies for our garden, even though we have been smart and frugal. The most recent purchase will be crucial once the rain stops. And it always does at some point. When our garden becomes thirsty during the summer months, we are prepared to replenish it with soaker hoses, an inexpensive form of drip irrigation made with recycled tires and that has tiny holes out of which water slowly seeps. The hoses can be buried or lay atop the soil and meander through the plants. This method has long been touted as ideal for gardens and because it conserves water. I needed several feet of regular hose to marry the soakers with the water faucet. And I wanted to be able to use the faucet for other water needs when the garden is doing its drinking. So I bought a dual attachment to allow just that.

We are feeling the pitch with purchases, but I still think we'll reap more than we sow. Our family currently consumes at least $30 per week worth of organic produce purchased from stores we had to burn gas to get to. So that means, if the garden produces enough yield to cover half of that need for our three families, those costs will be offset by a couple of months worth of harvest. At least I hope so.