When I was growing up my grandpa grew a garden every summer in my backyard behind the garage. My grandparents lived down the street from us. I loved having them so close but summertime was extra special because most mornings grandpa could be found in our backyard staring at the garden. I can remember the hard work he put in. The planting, the watering. But mostly I remember him just standing there, watching the garden grow.

Grandpa's garden was lush and green. He basically grew the same things every year. Cucumbers up by the garage, radishes, kohlrabi, onions, green peppers, green beans, cabbage, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and sometimes he would try something different like watermelon or carrots. I learned a lot in those summers. I learned that tomatoes taste better warmed by the sun. I learned that if you build your tomato plants into little hills that you can stand at one side of the garden and the water will run naturally. I learned that cucumbers were spiky and that butterflies were for cussing at. Right now, I hope I learned enough to keep my own garden growing.

I spent hours with him out in the garden. They are some of my most precious memories. I always knew that I would have my own garden someday. I just never knew it would take so long. Grandpa stopped planting the garden when I was around 13. It was just too much work and my parents moved a few years later. After I went away to college I lived in a series of no-yard apartments, duplexes and townhouses. Until this summer, that is. In August my husband and I bought a house with a big back yard. We moved in on a sweltering Tuesday and on Thursday I got word that my grandpa had died. So I guess I'm planting this garden for him as well as me. I just know that standing out there in the sun, watching the tomatoes turn, is a warm place I would like to be.

So this blog is about all that. My grandpa and his garden and me and mine. I'll try to remember everything he taught me as well as some new stuff I pick up along the way so that I can stand again, like I did so many years ago, hip deep in tomato plants, warmed by the sun.