When I was growing up, I had a backyard that was bigger than anyone else’s backyard that I knew. It wasn’t huge, I mean we’re certainly not talking rural size, but for growing up in a suburb – it was definitely bigger than any of my friends’ yards.
My parents always did (and still do) a great job with it. They have maintained beautiful gardens there for almost as long as I’ve been alive. I’ve worked many hours over many years in those gardens, doing anything from mowing lawns to planting azaleas to cutting down trees. And I grew up with a great appreciation for it.
So you’d think I’d know a thing or two about successful gardening. You would think I might have a bit of a green thumb, with that sort of upbringing. Unfortunately, you’d be dead wrong.
I have killed nearly every plant that’s ever come into my life. Mercilessly. In some cases you might even think it was a pre-meditated act. If you asked me the color of my thumb, it wouldn’t be green. It would be black. See, look – it’s true.
I am determined to remedy this major inconsistency in my life. What better way to do it than through something I already know I love – fresh food? It doesn’t get any more local than your own home.
So this year is the first year that I’m seriously undertaking a gardening effort in my own home (albeit on a deck). I have been growing a few kitchen herbs under a grow light for the last two months (mint, purple sage, oregano, and parsley) which are doing well (the parsley has a bit of a fungus issue I’m working on but it washes off). I will be moving these outside in the coming weeks.
And I got some seeds. And some dirts. And some stuff to put them in. I had some help putting it all together.
His name is Deathface Happy Stomper. You’d think it’s a cute ironic name, but it’s actually ridiculously appropriate. He’s the cutest total asshole I know.
I moved my kitchen herbs from their small shared pot into larger pots to prepare for the move outside. And I planted a bunch of seeds to keep inside under the grow light for awhile for germination. What did I plant?
I planted…
- edamame / soybeans
- 3 kinds of tomatoes: Cherokee Purple, Green Zebra, Wickline Cherry
- 2 kinds of peppers: Sweet Yellow Bell, and Hot Czechoslovakian Black
- Salad greens: lettuce and radicchio
I also have some heirloom blue, gold, and red potatoes coming in the post but they haven’t arrived yet.
There wasn’t really any method behind the seeds I chose. I realize I probably could have put a little more thought behind what might be more successful for my growing conditions, but, well… uh…
So I’ve now got the herbs and seeds all under grow light about 22 hours a day. As soon as it’s just a tad warmer (probably this weekend if all goes well) I’ll start moving them outside for a few hours at a time. Of course, I’ll keep you all posted on the progress (assuming there is any).
All done for now!
Got any advice or suggestions? PLEASE – I need to hear it!
