Lessons learned

Farm to mind.

I worked for a restaurant group in Princeton, NJ for almost 3 years (2009-2012).  I was employed in each of their 3 restaurants.  One of which, Eno Terra, is a "farm to table" restaurant and therefore operates a farm (as you might imagine).  

My time with this restaurant company and specifically the time I spent in and around Eno Terra and One Acre Canal Farm introduced to me what farming/gardening may entail.  The bounty that is possible with A LOT of work and care and patience and water and compost and...well you get the idea.  And so my interest was piqued, and in my usual demeanor...I was extremely excited!  

My Nook Tablet.

Santa (AKA Rebecca) was good to me Christmas 2011 and I was gifted a Nook Tablet.  The idea was born when I gifted her a Nook Color a few months earlier, and she could barely put it down.  I began to download books on gardening, composting, "Square Foot Gardening," organic gardening...again, you get the idea.  At this time, I also stumbled upon a radio show some of you may have heard of, "You Bet Your Garden."  I must say, this show is absolutely full of great information, references and a website with links to just about any garden topic you could think of.  Mike McGrath is my idol...sort of.  It was Mr. McGrath that planted in my mind, the idea of using raised beds.  I came to the understanding that my shady garden, as seen here...

though once in a most glorious location, was now in a bad spot and if I was to have a successful growing experience, it had to be relocated!  The search was on.