Summer = Gardening

You don't have to live in Russia for very long before you realize that gardening here is more than just a chance to dig in some dirt and watch something grow from a seed. It is a way of life. For those who live in a village, gardening is a necessity. It provides not only food for the family through the winter months, but some extra income when the fruits and vegetables are in season and they can be sold on the street corners or outdoor bazaars.

Most of you already know that my hubby and I live in one such village where gardening is so vital. But, there is also another aspect of gardening in Russia. IF you don't do it, you are considered lazy! That is about the easiest way to say it! You see, Russians are very resourceful and use whatever they have to do whatever job they need to get done. Sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes it can be a bad thing. I am simply amazed at the creativity we see in our neighbors who have so little but make the best use of what they do have! That philosophy, along with living on a piece of land to use in whatever way you want or need, explains the reason why everyone has a garden.  What is a better use for land than growing vegetables on it, right? For us Americans we can think of a lot of things! However, we live in a Russian village among people who labor in their gardens to make the best use of what they have. So, I am a gardener too! Not too great of one mind you, but I am learning. We have had a garden as long as we have lived here in the village which means for almost six years. We literally have the largest property on our street! We have planted the whole garden with potatoes and a few other combinations through the years which has provided our family as well as many others with fresh vegetables. Thankfully, several years ago, my hubby bought some grass seed to help "shrink" my garden.  We didn't need to plant THAT many potatoes every year. We also wanted to make a good size yard for the kids to play in.  

Now, we maintain the bottom of our land for planting corn and potatoes. 

But, we still have a great yard for the kids to play in - with NO weeds! (Well, nothing that a lawn mower can't keep down.)

This year, at the top of our garden my wonderful hubby built me some boxes for separate planting of all of the other vegetables we grow in smaller amounts. This is a very popular way to garden here.

In these boxes we planted beets, carrots, white and green onions, green beans, strawberries, lettuce, cauliflower, peas, cucumbers, and tomatoes. 

Strawberries

To the side of the upper garden area we left some land free for larger vegetable plants such as squash, zucchini, and pumpkins.

Zucchini and squash plants.

Although I really can't say I "enjoy" gardening all that much, and it takes up way too much of my Summer; I am glad to be able to learn new things and have more in common with the people we are trying to reach for Christ!