Last Updated on April 29, 2026 by Lisa Keys
Planting asparagus in trenches is a spring chore, but the effort pays off because the plant is a perennial. You plant it once and reap the rewards every spring.
A spring rain quickly transforms the old dirt road beside our house into a muddy playground. It means only one thing: William is getting down and dirty today. SPLASH. LAUGHTER. Why not? He loved nothing more than a coating of dirt. Clearly the filthiest kid on the block, he found his heaven on earth playing in the mud.
Obviously being in the trenches of Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom was no picnic, so I can't help but wonder what my boy was smiling about in this photo. Maybe it is because he is covered in dirt and thinking of days gone by.
In Afghanistan he seemed to make the best of a bad situation. He used his time wisely not only protecting our freedom, but earning the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Award. Here is a bit of information on the award:
Hospital corpsmen also serve as battlefield corpsmen with the Marine Corps, rendering emergency medical treatment to include initial treatment in a combat environment. Corpsmen who participate in amphibious assaults, are eligible to receive the FMF Combat Operations Insignia. Such Naval personnel are authorized to wear the Marine Corps utility uniform with Navy insignia, and must conform to all physical requirements of the U.S. Marines.
growing asparagus in trenches is my favorite way of getting dirty.
Good things emerge from the trenches....like asparagus. Roasted, grilled, sous vide or steamed it is my favorite spring vegetable. It's an acid loving perennial plant that lives in a trench and I was happy to add it to my new garden. Hope to have a bounty next year, but until then it is now fresh and ready for picking at the local market.
Brother J J says
Wait! I just screwed up where I put the comment. I like reading your reminiscenses. Spring is off to a slow start around here. The weather is still wintery. Still frozen, so, no mud yet
lisakeys64 says
I think the blog is a great way to insure I never forget the important things in life. We are supposed to get more snow tomorrow.
Wendy Doremus says
I remember that you put bleach in the puddles in front of your house so William could play in them and not get germs!
lisakeys64 says
Did my best to keep him safe
Louis Matino (@LouMatino) says
Deacon will provide fertilizer and you'll have a bumper crop of asparagus next year. 🙂
lisakeys64 says
She has already tried eating the fertilizer
Carol Walsh says
Yet another "favorite" picture of Tyler and William. There are so many! God, I treasure those pictures!
lisakeys64 says
thankful that we took so many photos
Brett Youmans says
"Good things emerge from the trenches..." Love this--thanks for another thoughtful post and for putting my day into perspective!
lisakeys64 says
I hope you are emerging from this wintry PA weather with a smile today