I have never had a vegetable garden. I waiver in my ability to care for plants. I tend to over water. And I am still learning how to navigate through soil (and what exactly are annuals?) But deep down in me there is this voice that wants to be a self-proclaimed gardner. I want to learn how to grow juicy tomatoes, know plant pairings at the drop of a dime, and name the varieties at City Floral (only THE BEST nursery in Denver). I am supposed to garden. I know it. Its in my bones. My grandparents were farmers, my grandma a plant whisperer (seriously, she was amazing), and Matt's family are all from farming roots. I'm having high hopes that genes will kick in.
And so, how is this amateur gardner fairing the sea? I'm reading a lot, asking too much, and being taught even more by those whose green thumbs are like emeralds. I cannot wait to share the progress of our garden, our built from scratch raised bed, and what I'm soaking in from my new read Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer. I may not have chickens quite yet (someday!), yet still, I dream of the time my entire refrigerator's veggie and fruit drawers are filled only with produce that started as seeds, planted in the soil by my very two hands. What are your thoughts on urban farming? Any city dwellers milking goats, harvesting crop, and raising chickens out there?
Oh my gosh, I want to garden SO BADLY!! We have a little patch in our yard that we're considering using for a raised garden bed, but it only gets light for half the day, so I'm not sure it would work. I definitely need to do my research!
ReplyDeleteAnd girl, let me tell you, if I ate eggs, I would totally have my own chickens—Brian's coworker and his wife have some and say it's amazing. Such a better way to get eggs and it's a sweet little life for those hens, haha.
Natalie, you should start out by just potting some herbs and having them in your kitchen near a window sill. Or get a few pots and have herbs right outside your back door. There are a ton of flowers that you can plant that will do great with partial shade. And also tons of veggies and fruits: lettuce, berries, spinach broccoli. They simply supply smaller yields. Typically, 6 hours of sun can be enough sunlight for so many veggies. Get your garden growing, stat! ;)
DeleteBut honestly, since you live in California, plant some FRUIT TREES! My parents have tangerine, orange, kumquat, and avocado--and although it takes a few years for fruit, SO WORTH it when you have fruit coming out your ears.
My husband and I talk about urban farming a lot actually. He loves to grow things and started a garden last summer. We technically live in a city, but have a decent size backyard and we've talked about/researched techniques for smaller spaces. He also really wants chickens...I'm not sold yet. I'd prefer to do a local farm share that includes eggs :)
ReplyDeleteHe should read Farm City. I just started it, and really like it--but its about a woman in Oakland who has her own farm in an abondoned lot next to her home. I think you can actually read the first chapter online to see if you like it before you buy the book. My cousins have chickens, and I love that whenever we visit we have fresh eggs. I also like the idea of a rooster being my alarm clock :)
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