Oh my aching back

Being so out of shape is a huge handicap when you are throwing around a pick axe and breaking up the Arizona clay that hasn't been touched in over a decade.

My parents have a gorgeous backyard that has had designated garden space since they moved in 15 years ago, but hasn't had a garden since ever. Since I have been bit by the garden bug and have to wait to build my own garden boxes at home until we finish the chicken coop, I suggested to my mother that we should start a garden at her house, since the boxes have been there vacant waiting for me to discover my gardening obsession. So, today we took a trip to A & P Nursery, came home, and got to work. 

Her garden boxes are REALLY long, so this is just the first half of ONE of her boxes in the garden. I researched a TON of different things, especially companion planting {what to plant with things to put nutrients in the soil, protect your vegetables, etc} and came up with the above Garden Plan. I'll share the layout for the other half tomorrow. Then we move on to another bed that is half this size {I'm thinking cucumbers}, then the FOUR other long beds to be filled with watermelons, pumpkins, zuchinnis, and their planting companions. I can hardly contain my excitement!