OK. Big news: Just this week, the totally shaded porch of our new
home somehow started getting sun. This is no doubt due to the Earth's
position now shifting to a place where the sun's rays can tickle the
future-plant-bedecked porch in spite of the fact that the building next
to us blocks the sun we should've been getting all season. Whatever. I
only care that NOW I CAN GROW THINGS! HOORAY!
I immediately headed for the nearest garden center and, in an over-zealous frenzy that surely must be indicative of addiction, bought way too many plants. I got tomatoes, peppers, collard greens, two kinds of lettuce, and far, far too many beans. In the herb fam, I snagged some rosemary, thyme, and three different kinds of basil.
Here's the method to my madness:
Basil: A must. Hardy, pretty, and if you grow enough of it, you can not only save yourself the horror of pay $4 for three sprigs at the store, you can also make copious amounts of pesto. Make a double bath and the extra can be frozen in zippy sandwich bags for a summery treat in mid-winter. Trust me, it's heaven.
Beans: Hardy, fast growers that, as a fun little perk, also produce beautiful pink flowers.
Lettuce: Nothing better than a fresh-picked salad! Bonus: they don't like the heat of July-August, so when they're done, I can pluck them out and replace with a heat-lover.
Collard greens: New to me. {gulp}
Peppers: As my friend Dee once said, "Peppers are so rewarding to grow." SO true. Love seeing them on the vine.
Tomatoes: True confession: they aren't my favorite fresh fruit (and to me they'll always be a veggie, but whatevs). But, much like peppers, they are SO rewarding to grow. When you see them covered in their brightly hued fruit, you sit back and think, "Yeah. I grew that." Bonus: I like to give them away to neighbors. And now I have new neighbors to meet and impress with my growing acumen {blows on fingernails and rubs on imaginary lapels}
Parsley and Dill: Self-propogated from last year! Yup--these determined crops spread their own seeds from last season and came up by themselves. SWEET!! I like your spirit, guys!
I spent the weekend planting. There is something so primal, so deeply instinctual about digging your hands into the dirt and planting. Hours and hours later, tired and hungry, with an aching back, I felt connected to something bigger and older than me. I also felt excited about what this season will bring. Stay tuned!
I immediately headed for the nearest garden center and, in an over-zealous frenzy that surely must be indicative of addiction, bought way too many plants. I got tomatoes, peppers, collard greens, two kinds of lettuce, and far, far too many beans. In the herb fam, I snagged some rosemary, thyme, and three different kinds of basil.
Here's the method to my madness:
Basil: A must. Hardy, pretty, and if you grow enough of it, you can not only save yourself the horror of pay $4 for three sprigs at the store, you can also make copious amounts of pesto. Make a double bath and the extra can be frozen in zippy sandwich bags for a summery treat in mid-winter. Trust me, it's heaven.
Beans: Hardy, fast growers that, as a fun little perk, also produce beautiful pink flowers.
Lettuce: Nothing better than a fresh-picked salad! Bonus: they don't like the heat of July-August, so when they're done, I can pluck them out and replace with a heat-lover.
Collard greens: New to me. {gulp}
Peppers: As my friend Dee once said, "Peppers are so rewarding to grow." SO true. Love seeing them on the vine.
Tomatoes: True confession: they aren't my favorite fresh fruit (and to me they'll always be a veggie, but whatevs). But, much like peppers, they are SO rewarding to grow. When you see them covered in their brightly hued fruit, you sit back and think, "Yeah. I grew that." Bonus: I like to give them away to neighbors. And now I have new neighbors to meet and impress with my growing acumen {blows on fingernails and rubs on imaginary lapels}
Parsley and Dill: Self-propogated from last year! Yup--these determined crops spread their own seeds from last season and came up by themselves. SWEET!! I like your spirit, guys!
 |
| So much to do...except for the self-propogating herbs. Yeah! Nice work, guys! |
I spent the weekend planting. There is something so primal, so deeply instinctual about digging your hands into the dirt and planting. Hours and hours later, tired and hungry, with an aching back, I felt connected to something bigger and older than me. I also felt excited about what this season will bring. Stay tuned!
 |
| Seeing how much work there was at hand, Pelu immediately became overwhelmed and had no other option but to take a nap. |
Wonderful. I'm looking forward to doing the same soon.
ReplyDeleteOoh! Would love to see...post some pictures!
ReplyDelete