A long lost dream is coming true via a tall man with red hair, named Dan, whose business is called Full of Beans. Thanks to him, my vegetable garden is being created! If it weren’t for being invited to join the gardening group I would never have known about him, so I am very grateful. Ironically, I can’t attend tomorrow’s get-together because Dan is coming back to do the planting and I want to learn.
One of the things that really appeals to me about Full of Beans is that it provides an ongoing maintenance service for gardening novices like me.
Okay, so gardening friends far and wide may see this as a kind of cheating on my part (employing someone to make me a vegetable garden) but oh well. I am already crazy about what Dan has begun to create and can hardly contain my excitement.
Anthony was an avid gardener, despite not having much time, with milking the cows and looking after his mother. Nevertheless almost everything he planted, over 50 years ago, still survives. But he was never the least bit interested in growing vegetables. A couple of years into our marriage, I asked for a vegetable garden but he said there was no room. I argued that there was plenty of room (5 acres around the house!) to no avail.
And, as Ming grew up into an adolescent, he formed the same opinion. It was just a small dream of mine but neither of them would have a bar of it. That’s okay; they just weren’t interested and maybe didn’t realise how much I wanted the vegetable garden. I couldn’t do it by myself so one year my brother came out and dug me a patch and every single gigantic zucchini gave me a thrill. But that went by the wayside in the face of Anthony’s mysterious deterioration in health (we didn’t know about his Parkinson’s then) and the fact that I was working full-time that year.
Now that Anthony is no longer cognisant of our shared reality; now that Ming is in a fantastic relationship; now that I am learning how to be completely alone, a vegetable garden seems profound.
A long lost dream is coming true via a tall man with red hair, named Dan, whose business is called Full of Beans.
jmgoyder 
What a great chap to have met! Here’s to the first beans 😀
Can’t wait!
I am really proud of you. Truly. I think it’s wonderful that you are learning how to have a vegetable garden which you’ve wanted for so long AND you’ve got help in making it possible! Win win! Big heartfelt hugs to you xoxo
It has certainly given me a lift – thank you so much!
What a brilliant idea for a business. I’m so glad you having a realized dream.
Yes I think it’s a brilliant idea for a business too!
I am so happy for you…this sounds a perfect way to attain that dream. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of this type of service, but I think it’s fabulous! Can’t wait for pics of your first harvest 🙂
I think it is rather a unique service!
How very exciting and brave! I love that you will be growing your own vegetables while also making a dream come true. From little sprouts mighty dreams grow!
I am really excited about something for the first time in ages.
Looks like a great idea! Does he travel 🙂
Ha – I’ll ask him!
I think this is brilliant! You deserve your vegetable garden no matter how it gets done and you’ll see, you are going to learn so much along the way. It never gets boring! Hugs Jules xx
I will watch and learn this morning!
Good for you!
One day you’ll look back, Julie, and realize this has “bean” a godsend. You have “cultivated” a beautiful place that will soothe your heart in ways you can’t imagine at this moment. I am so proud of you. It means little to me that you have someone helping you – why not? I don’t think you have to toil to enjoy the benefits this garden will bring. Just making the decision to pursue this is wondrous!
I am so glad to have discovered this business and yes it has ‘bean’ a godsend!
Well, you are no “has-bean!”
jules, you won’t believe it, but i know dan. and nicola and their kids. remember my son in law and daughter and kids lived in bunbury up until last summer? terry and holli porter. mention them to him and he’ll be surprised you and i are connected. they are a really nice family and he’s great at what he does and you’ve picked the right man for the job!
He has just gone into Bunbury to get something so when he gets back I will tell him – what an amazingly small world!!!!!
Holli is my daughter and terry is my son in law
I love how you are sprouting Julie!
( 😉 see what I did there! ) 😀
LOLOL!
I love your final sentence, it made me laugh!
I had to go back and look at what I said!
Something about making your own bed and lying on it came to mind but it must be very useful to have someone make your beds for you. They look very purposeful.
Oh very funny about the making your own bed. Watch this space!
I certainly will.
Julie, I like the look of “Full of Beans” … and your garden. Looking very exciting .. both of them.
Fantastic news that Ming has met a nice young lady – good for him .. and good luck to them.
I’m sure we will see more of what is growing and what is coming out from that garden. I can see it’s well protected – Good luck to you. Have a lovely weekend now.
Thank you so much Viveka – yes everything is changing! You have a lovely weekend too x
Julie, that’s life … and I’m so glad you find new paths too and follow it’s changes, even if they aren’t easy .. most of the time. Looking forward to your first harvest. *smile
i loved gardening when i was a kid. my grandmother grew the best veggies!! her tomatoes were the best ever. don’t think i will ever forget pulling up the radishes and carrots:) good times indeed.
i am so happy for you and the red haired man sounds like the solution! sending you love and hugs along with the hope of pictures along the way.
Thanks Sandra – a whole new adventure!
What a wonderful idea. You don’t have to do the actual planting yourself to get the pleasure (and nutrition) from growing your own food. Nothing beats getting outdoors in your very own garden at the end of the day (and make sure you do water at the end of a hot day, not the start).
I just love watching veggies grow. I get a real thrill out of going out to pick my own crop for dinner. I’ve got a new crop of Cos lettuce growing at the moment on my balcony and they are taking ages (compare to the other green lettuces I started with). I am even trying out one heirloom tomato (despite the fact that my balcony gets no direct sun and tomatoes need sun).
I know you will too. It’ll be a new interest. I think we all need a hobby (or two).
No matter how tired or hot you are in summer (in particular), it’s so relaxing standing with the hose hand watering. It’s almost like a meditation. Or is Dan going to put in a self-watering system? Even if he is, you’ll still get the pleasure out of checking all your plants each day. Hope Dan will help you out with some ideas about caterpillars and insects too. I assume he’ll do some ‘companion’ planting i.e. some plants deter the insects that eat other plants.
Any excess, you can share with friends, neighbours and your gardening group. You might even get into making pickles, chutneys and sauces.
Nothing like home-grown!
I love your idea of hand watering being like a meditation. Yes, I am very keen on this new hobby (even though I haven’t actually done anything myself yet!)
That is awesome!
Agreed!
I don’t think it’s cheating at all to have someone help with your new garden. One doesn’t learn without a ‘teacher’… Diane
Ah, that is reassuring – thanks Diane!
LOVE those raised beds! c
it is never too late.
I am sure it will bring you much well-deserved Joy.
Hope he does a bloody great job
What a terrific service! Help you plan and plant, then help you maintain your garden? Sounds perfect. So nice that you finally have your vegetable garden.