Home Grown Liberation

I’m in one of life’s many transitions right now, planning to move soon and staying in a house that I won’t be in for very long. In my previous house, I found a small patch in the yard and was able to grow a few tomatoes, but I didn’t even attempt much more. I am definitely a gardening novice. Because I have such little knowledge and experience and because I won’t be here for very long, I planned to skip gardening this summer and try again next year.  I thought I would be content with farmer’s markets for now.

Well, I wasn’t. The loud, insistent, greenie voice in me wouldn’t let me give up on growing it myself. You can’t wait until next summer, it yelled. That’s too long! You don’t have to rip up the lawn---just throw together a few pots!

So, that’s what I did. I planted some zucchini, tomatoes and strawberries in a couple of big planters and gave it a whirl. I’ve never gardened in containers before, so I have no idea how it will turn out. But so far the plants are getting big and green and they are giving me a lot of still-green fruit. I planted them late and it’s been a cool, wet summer, so I don’t know when I’ll be eating.

But my hopes were up when I walked onto the deck the other day and found one deep-red strawberry hanging off the plant.

I’m happy I decided to do something under these less than perfect circumstances, even if my experiment doesn’t get me any more than that one strawberry. It’s all trial and error right now, which is liberating because every piece of fruit I eat from my own “garden” will be an unexpected bounty.

-Lisa Soare is a freelance writer and a mom. She lives in the ‘burbs with her husband and daughter. You can read more about her efforts to craft a more sustainable life at her blog www.diygreener.blogspot.com.

Comments

[Kellen Marshall-Gillespie]

Its never to late, you should attempt indoor gardening as well as a fall harvest if possible. Research herbs that like it cool and the late season bloomers for your fall garden. Happy growing!

[Green Fundraising Ideas]

oh, I can't wait to have my own garden next year! It was not good timing for us this year! Jealous!

[Lisa]

Thanks! If it goes well, I might continue with the pots as well as a bigger garden next year.

[Brooke]

We did a potted garden this year and it turned out awesome! Good luck.