Ever since my husband and got married, I have had an intense desire to grow my own organic vegetables and herbs. Our first apartment had no yard and the balcony hardly got any sun, but I always told myself that when we bought our own home, I would make sure that it had space for a garden.
We did buy a home, and last year my husband and I built a raised bed on one side of the yard. I got my feet wet, so to speak, and had fun learning to grow a few things and learning from a couple mistakes, too. (Note from experience: cantaloupe starts tiny, but really loves to spread out and with practically smother anything in its way!)
This year I have been determined to try new things and put more time and effort into my little garden. I’m growing basil, eggplant, bell peppers, parsley, sage, thyme, lemon balm, spinach, lettuce, and lavender.
Somewhere along the way, I began to genuinely enjoy the process. I love getting outside and working, getting my hands dirty, knowing that the effort I’m putting in will literally feed my family.
The act of planting a seed and watching it grow into a plant and then into actual food never ceases to amaze me, and I want to pass that wonder on to my son. I want my kids to grow up seeing food come from the earth and not only the supermarket.
Growing food at home is incredibly less expensive than buying it from the store. It is also fresher, which means that it tastes better and is better for you.
Since it isn’t being shipped across the country or even the world, and can be grown organically without any pesticide runoff, it it also much kinder to the planet.
I’m still learning what works and what doesn’t, but I firmly believe that anyone can acquire a green thumb if they really want to. Here are some amazing resources that have helped and inspired me along the way:
You Grow Girl
A Way to Garden
Diggin Food
Going Home to Roost
Grow Great Grub by Gayla Trail – This book helped me get started when I had absolutely no idea what to do, and it has been an excellent resource over and over again.
I also like to browse “gardening” on Pinterest for inspiration.
I’m looking forward to sharing my adventures and pictures of from my garden here, and hopefully learning from you those of you with more experience!
I would love to see what you’re growing this season in your gardens. Also, what are some of your favorite resources for gardening information and inspiration?
Please share in the comments!
Hannah Mayo
Hannah is a fine art and lifestyle portrait photographer, a visual storyteller and finder of beauty. She lives in West Palm Beach, Florida with her husband and son, and loves film, coffeeshops, the ocean, writing, and any creative outlet she can find.
