When I was growing up, my parents always had a garden. Nothing big but enough that my parents were able to make a salad, can some tomatoes, freeze some beans. Suffice it to say, we had fresh produce all summer.
I was a very picky eater as a child...hard to believe I know but I was. Thank goodness for that garden. I think that is how I made it to adulthood. I really hated most foods so when I was outside playing, I woud run into the garden and pick some produce or fruit and continue playing. I didn't have to worry about pesticides because my mother was afirm believer in organic gardening and all our clean garbage went into a compost bin. Being a kid in my house was fun.
As an adult, I have had my own gardens of various sizes. Some were quite large and others were in containers. The thing is...I picked up a lot of information from my parents that I didn't realize I was absorbing at the time. I now have a compost bin and a small garden. I have 3 tomato plants (2 early girls and 1 beefsteak), 2 bell pepper plants, an eggplant and 3 cucumber plants. I am thrilled to say I have tomatoes on all three plants. Oh, I almost forgot...Stephanie planted asparagus in the garden 3 years ago and this year they have and continue to produce edible asparagus. I just wish they had all come up at one time so we could have a meal of them but one at a time is better than nothing. I found them to be very interesting plants. I also bought was called a salad bowl. It is a complete basic salad, you would just have to add cukes and tomatoes. It cames with red leaf lettuce, kale, 2 kinds of grasses that are delicious...one being a little peppery and sweet, and violas...edible flowers. We have made a couple of salads with it and the birds have enjoyed the lettuce and flowers.
I also expanded my herb garden. I had planted a few years ago, thanks to Stephanie, some chives, oregano, tarragon, sage. I also plant every year...basil, rosemary and dill. These you have to plant every year. The chive, etc come up every year. I also bought my first rhubarb pant. I can't pick it this year but I am looking forward to future years and some homemade strawberry-rhubarb pies. (Shirley, get ready!!!) Sue has planted a beautiful flower garden. She is trying to get a rock garden going but rocks take a long time to grow! Just kidding. My shasta daisies are getting ready to bloom and May pinks and carnations are blooming/ Her mums, that she rescued from someones garbage are doing beautifully and getting bigger every year and this year we added...portulaccas (I am sure that is spelled wrong), lavender, and something else that I can't think of right now. And she planted wildflowers and moon glories. I love it.
So now we water and tie up plants and await the fruits of our labor.
I will keep you posted.
Oh, the compost bin is working wonderfully...nice and warm and nice juicy worms.
