Love of Gardening

I have dabbled in gardening for around 10 years with a tiny little patch on the side of my house. 2020 was the year that I finally stopped dreaming of a bigger garden and started digging.

I started with a simple goal — I wanted to grow food to eat, but the garden ended up being so much more than that.

In the early days of the pandemic, it gave my anxious mind something to focus on. It got me outside constantly, gave me exercise and some much-needed sunshine. I would later find out I am vitamin D deficient, so this is extra good for me!

It gave me much needed mini breaks from a stressful full-time job sitting at my home computer.

It forced me to stop being afraid of insects, for the most part. So many insects! At times, I felt like I was studying to become an entomologist.

It gave me an immense sense of accomplishment. This might seem silly, but when things are falling apart around you, it feels good to do something positive and do something that works. You actually control a tiny little patch of land. You can’t imagine how insanely happy I was in August to discover hummingbirds in my garden enjoying my cosmos. I have never in my life seen hummingbirds on my property before.

My flower garden brought many smiles. I worried about dedicating 1/4 of my growing space to a cut flower garden, but it was so worth it. I had constant fresh bouquets in the house and the blooms brought pollinators to my garden.

It gave me the opportunity to learn so much. I learned how to grow from seed, how to combat disease, how to hand pollinate, how to grow potatoes, how to attract beneficial bugs, how to irrigate, how to companion plant and the list goes on.

And, one of the coolest things about the garden, it gave me an invaluable opportunity to teach my children and watch their sense of discovery. They helped every step of the way and took ownership. They especially loved helping to hunt for slugs. RIP, Buddy the slug.

I have chronicled my gardening adventures on Instagram, but I decided I would start writing about gardening here. I took so many photos and learned so much, so I am happy to share what I know.

Whether you are growing basil on your deck, have a garden or want to start a garden; I hope you’ll join me for this journey.

What I grew this year

• Tomatoes: Better Boy, San Marzano, Sweet 100 Cherry, Cherokee Purple
• Squash  
• Zucchini
• Cucumber – Straight Eight
• Green Peppers
• Orange Peppers
• Jalapeño Peppers
• Carrots
• Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
• Butternut Squash
• Arugula and Lettuce
• Kale, Spinach, Rainbow Chard
• Dill, Sage, Parsley, Rosemary, Basil, Cilantro, Purple Ruffles Basil, Thyme, Chives
• Purple Hyacinth Beans, Dragon Tongue Beans, Contender Beans, Pencil Pod Black Wax, Royalty Purple Pod
• Cosmos, Dahlias, Zinnias, China Aster
• Yarrow
• Lavender
• Blue Diamonds Delphinium
• Monarda Fistulosa ‘Claire Grace’ (Bee Balm)
• Teddy Bear sunflowers

Next year’s garden

For next year’s growing season, I have big plans. I am expanding the garden, growing in-ground in addition to raised beds, adding many new cultivars, adding a permanent fence, adding a perennial pollinator garden and adding 13 peony plants.

Grow with me!

See my other garden posts.
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