I always had big dreams. Some of them were definitely more attainable than others. Being one of Janet Jackson’s back-up dancers I will admit was one of the loftier ones, but a girl’s got to dream!
One of my more attainable dreams started back in California. I had always dreamed of having a big garden where every summer I could go out and harvest everything I needed to make a fresh garden salad; crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, zesty radishes, and crunchy cucumber. I also envisioned picking plump, sweet berries off a bush to make homemade jam or pie. More than anything though, I had always wanted a cut flower garden so I could make my own fresh flower bouquets for inside the house.
Then, we moved to North Carolina. We now had acres of land which meant that my gardening dreams could become a reality. Let the planning begin!
In January, I bought some books about gardening in North Carolina and started Googling. I learned all about gardening zones and discovered that coastal North Carolina is in Zone 8. I got my notebook out and started jotting down all the things that grow best in zone 8 and when you plant them throughout the year.
I’ll never forget our first year, we were such rookies! It was late February, early March, when we woke up one weekend so pleased because the chill in the air seemed to have disappeared. The sun was out, the birds were singing, and we opened all the windows in the farmhouse. At that moment, the gardening bug hit us both.
On Saturday, we went out and got the garden beds all turned over. We thought for sure that the moment we had been waiting for all winter had finally arrived. It was time to start our first garden. I could feel my thumb getting greener already!
On Sunday, we headed to the nursery and stocked up on plants, seeds, and a seed growing kit. We planted our plants in the garden beds and started our seeds in the house. Midweek, the following week, we had a frost. All the plants outside died. Okay, so maybe we were a little overzealous about starting our first garden in North Carolina. Live and learn!
May and June are our first round of summer growing. We have the most success with lettuce, tomatoes, kale, green beans, eggplant, cucumbers, radishes, eggplant, and sweet potatoes. We harvest just about everything except the sweet potatoes by the first week of July. Come July and August in the south, it’s hard enough to keep ourselves from burning up in ninety degrees and ninety percent humidity, nonetheless the plants in the garden.
In the late fall and early winter, we clean out the garden beds and spread the manure we’ve composted over the summer. This has been our gardening secret weapon. We cover the beds with landscape paper and let the magic happen while we stay warm and cozy inside through the winter.
Early in the spring, we go out to the beds and turn them over to get them ready for the next planting season. Not only do our animals give us great joy, but they have done wonders to the success of our garden. Each year our crops get stronger and produce more. It’s been such a fun learning process!
This summer we are enjoying garden fresh salads, fresh berry and tomato pies, and the farmhouse looks like a florist shop. The sense of fulfillment and satisfaction you get from growing your own vegetables, fruits, and flowers is wonderful. I will be sharing more of our gardening tips with you later this summer. Until then, if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. Happy planting!


So many gorgeous views from your garden, Meeghan. I love it!
Thank you so much, Jen! I appreciate your kind words and you visiting me here. I hope you’re having a wonderful summer so far!
Meeghan what a fun post to read! I loved hearing about your journey. I ha e started a flower garden but not a vegetable one…maybe someday! Your pictures were amazing! Happy gardening!
Hi Kelly! Thank you so much for visiting and leaving me such a sweet comment. I’m so happy you enjoyed the post and the photos. Flowers are a wonderful way to start a garden. Who knows, maybe veggies next year?!;) I hope you’re having a wonderful summer!