Growing Green Beans & Families

I thought a garden would help me be self-reliant. Little did I know that it would also teach me about cultivating relationships.




Some 20 years ago as a young husband and father, I found myself thinking about the counsel President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) had given us to be self-reliant by growing our own gardens. Despite the fact that my family had no yard, I felt strongly prompted to follow his counsel.



At first I borrowed some land from my neighbors to plant a garden, but the land had long been unused, and I didn’t have the proper machinery to make it fertile again. Then I remembered an older gentleman, Vern Draney, who had befriended my parents while I was serving a full-time mission. My mother had mentioned that he was a great gardener. I wondered if Brother Draney had a garden now and, if he did, whether he would mind some help. I decided to visit and find out.



Brother Draney’s house had a large untilled field beside it. When I knocked on the door and explained my desire to help him create a garden, I was pleased to hear him accept my offer. But he did so with a condition. He told me I would have to commit to care for the garden according to its needs, not my own. This would be absolutely crucial. “I’ll be there,” I promised, “whenever it needs me.” And the next thing I knew, we were off to buy the first seeds! At that time I had no way of knowing exactly how much I was about to learn from this special garden or how it would change me and my family.



Brother Draney and I spent a lot of time together cultivating our seeds. I loved each day. Seeing the plants begin to grow and prosper was magical, even mesmerizing! Because the last time I had eaten fresh green beans was at my grandmother’s home when I was a child, I looked forward to those beans more than any of the other vegetables, and caring for them became my personal responsibility. I was filled with excitement and hope as the beans began to sprout and then as they curled into vines. I knew I would soon be able to provide fresh green beans for my family.



Before much time had passed, thoughts began to creep into my mind that it was too hot to spend so much time in the garden. After all, the plants were healthy and growing well, so I figured it would be OK to leave them alone for a while. Slowly I began spending less time in the garden.



Then one day I noticed some beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers blooming from what I thought were the vines of the green beans. How wonderful it is, I mused, that Heavenly Father gives us pretty flowers to go with these vegetable plants.



It wasn’t until days later, when I saw some of the green bean plants turning brown, that I discovered that the pretty flowers were actually field bindweed, sometimes called wild morning glory. It’s a beautiful yet dangerous weed. The vines grew camouflaged to look like those of the green beans, and they had wrapped themselves so tightly around the bean plants that they were now literally choking the life out of the beans. My heart sank when I realized what I had let happen. How could I exterminate so many powerful weeds without damaging the green beans? Guilt and regret swelled within me.



Finally I found the courage to confess my neglectfulness to Brother Draney. He immediately reminded me of the promise I had made to him. I should have taken care of the weeds when they first came up, he told me. Paying close attention to the green beans and providing them with daily care—regardless of how well they thrived—would have let me see the dangers of bindweed in time to pull it out and keep my green beans safe. I understood that if I had spent more time with the beans, I could have protected them.



The bindweed had done so much damage already that I couldn’t save the green bean plants. They eventually withered away and died.



As I thought about our lost green beans, I began to reflect on my family and my divine role as a father. Each person in my family, I realized, was like a special green bean plant, and together we made up a whole garden. We would all need the attentive care of others to grow strong. I knew that just like the bindweed’s damage could have been prevented by my consistent care, spending time with my children and helping them grow spiritually could allow me to recognize the temptations they would be dealing with so I could help them through these challenges. We could be a safer, happier family if I put forth the effort to actually notice and “pull up weeds” in our home before they choked the life out of my family’s happiness.



Now, years later, as I cultivate the garden in my own backyard, I often remember Brother Draney and the lesson I learned in his garden. This lesson changed me, though I hadn’t realized then that it would. I have become a better father by being more aware of what’s going on in our children’s lives. I pay careful attention to their needs, ask for their input, and prayerfully help guide them as they make important decisions.



My family and I may not have been able to enjoy those green beans that year, but we have been able to enjoy the love, compassion, and wonderful spirit of selflessness and caring that have grown in our home ever since.

Tuesday Night Garden Activity

Tuesday night we had a activity at the Garden. We pulled lots and lots of weeds. We had a great turn out.

Sandy was busy at the grill. She had everything from Hot Dogs to zucchini.

There is still a lot of things to be picked, from tomato's, squash. Don't be shy and come and get it. So it does not go to waste. Thanks so much everyone for the hard work that everyone is putting in to the Garden.

Monday Night in the Garden

I stopped by the Garden tonight to do a little wedding. I picked a little squash. I found this pile in just a few bushes. There is a ton of squash ready also peppers and a ton of tomato's. Make sure and stop by and get some, so none goes to waste. There was also a ton of frogs jumping all over the place. The kids had fun catching them.

I thought the corn looked great. It is getting really tall.

and I saw something I had never seen before in the garden, I think it is egg plant.

Half of the garden is gone and all tilled up. I do not know what there plans are right know for it.

These picture's are from last Monday. I'm a little slow at getting them on here. Shelley stopped by and grabbed a few bags full of goodies.

Loyd was out and about and looking for some Tomato's for dinner.

We picked buckets and buckets of stuff, and took it to 20 or more families in the ward. We did not want any to go bad so we picked a lot that was ready. I can not believe all the smiles it brought to many of the ward members faces as they got to pick threw it and take what they want.

I heard they had a great harvesting on Saturday, but I was un able to attend. But the Bishop Brick still made sure we got some stuff. Thank you everyone for all the great help and time you put in to the Garden.

Anyone for Beets

Last Monday the ward got together and had a demonstration from Bishop Terril on how to pickle beets. We had a great turn out.

       Cute little sister Whipple sat in the shade and enjoyed all the company

Some were hard at work, while others sat and held children and visited with each other

It was a great experience for all that was there.

All together we bottled over 40 jars of pickled beets

The kids were busy with water balloons and slip and slides

Sorry this is a little late on getting on here. We have been busy and gone to girls camp. I thought I would throw a picture up of the girls on here that was taken up at camp. We have the most amazing girls in our ward.

The Fruits of our Labor

Some of our ward family came to the garden tonight to harvest. We picked quite a bit and gave several bags of produce to various families in the ward. Here is Duane Bartle and Doug Munford harvesting.

A group of hard working ward members harvesting in the lettuce patch. Even though the weather has been much cooler than normal, it was still a little warm tonight.

Brother and Sister Leavitt.

The Bishopric with several sacks full of fresh produce. They are getting ready to go out and deliver to some of the families in the ward. This is what makes it all worth it.

Harvesting

Tonight was a harvesting night. Several ward members showed up to pick the fruits of our labors. Here is Sandy and Jana working hard in the lettuce.

Lori and Liz are picking carrots. Don't they look fantastic?

Sue and others were picking green beans. Sue is just showing a sampling of what was picked tonight.

Here's Brother Adams picking beans and putting them in his bucket.

Bishop Terril and Duane Bartle are showing off the beets and carrots they harvested. All this produce will go to families in the ward. Thanks everyone for all your hard work. The garden is fantastic!

Relaxing in the Garden

Me and my kids stopped by the Garden for a little while this evening. There is always such a peaceful feeling there. We walked around and found a few things.

The peppers are getting so big

The tomato's are turning red

The zucchini is doing great

My boys pointed out this track, they thought it was a coyote, I'm thinking probably a dog.