- Author: Jennifer Baumbach
It's funny how things change over the course of 9 months. In just about a month, I'll be having a baby. It's our first. A boy-Ethan. It's definitely going to be something new for my husband and I.
I think about how I will be able to teach Ethan all of the wonders that happen in a garden. As a kid, I didn't have that same sort of wonderment or interest about plants, insects, the soil or anything related to horticulture. My parents aren't gardeners so I was the one elected to mow the lawn, but that was a chore way back then.
For Ethan, I want to be able to show him how to identify plants by touch, dig for worms, sniff the scented geraniums, and look for the crazy bees that come in the summer. This is just scratching the surface of the gardening world we will get to share. It will be all new to him. I can't wait!
![Garden phlox. (photos by Jennifer Baumbach) Garden phlox. (photos by Jennifer Baumbach)](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/USS/blogfiles/13364.jpg)
![Red dragonfly. Red dragonfly.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/USS/blogfiles/13365.jpg)
![Nutmeg-scented geranium. Nutmeg-scented geranium.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/USS/blogfiles/13369.jpg)
- Author: Betty Victor
Now that I have a small patch of sun, since having cut my avocado tree cut down. The tree was always growing towards my neighbors roof. I decided to see if I could grow a few vegetables in this sunny, newly reclaimed area.
The soil was dug, compost added in hopes that this might encourage the vegetables to grow. I had a cherry tomato planted in a container that I now have sitting in the garden. Two 'San Marzano' tomato plants were planted, and maybe I will get enough to make spaghetti sauce from them. Also a small eggplant with the name of 'Bambino', a sweet Italian pepper, an orange bell pepper, basil ,oregano, and parsley are also growing in this small garden.
Because I have mainly shade in my yard, this patch of sun for gardening is exciting and hopeful for me. Maybe one day when asked if I grow any vegetables I will be able to say "yes".
The sculptor face was made by my daughter she is to watch over the garden and encourage them to grow.
![The new vegetable garden. (photo by Toni Greer) The new vegetable garden. (photo by Toni Greer)](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/USS/blogfiles/11544.jpg)