Cultivating Joy, One Raised Bed at a Time
The sad state of our garden on July 22, 2025
Last year our personal garden was definitely on the “back burner” when it came to our list of priorities. Between running our onsite farm events, being present for Pick-Your-Own” throughout the weeks, participating as vendors at Depot Street Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and hosting countless family occasions - there was rarely a moment’s rest until November.
This year, in anticipation of the busy season, we’ve decided to turn our traditional garden into a space that is both functional and beautiful. We ripped out the landscaping fabric, cultivated the entire plot, worked with our son, John, to build raised planter beds, and began the process of filling them with organic matter.
The lowest layer contains tree bark, sticks, and decaying logs from the forest surrounding our farm. The next layer is typical Greeneville dirt that is largely comprised of dense, red, clay. The top layer is a beautiful blend of topsoil and mushroom soil that is a lovely dark color, finely ground texture, and rich in nutrients.
It’s still a work in progress, and it will be completed as we have time between our other farm duties, but with each portion of the project that we accomplish, our hearts are lightened at the thought of a garden that will be built with our lifestyle needs in mind.
Sarah using the tractor working hard to deliver the topsoil to each of the raised beds.
As we eagerly await the day when our greenhouse-raised plants can be transplanted into the garden. we’re reminded that it’s such a wonderful time of year! New growth, exciting projects, dreams of fruit and veggie production, one happy thought after another pours through our minds as we contemplate all that is in store for our property in 2026.
For weekly updates and more pictures as we make progress on our various projects, check out our social media accounts by clicking on the icons below!