strawberries

The other day when I went to Home Depot the nursery to pick out my plants for the garden, I ran into a friend that works there. She has worked there for what seems like forever, but I never run into her because I usually go to ‘the other’ Hope Depot in my neighborhood. (closer, less traffic etc) But on this day, I needed a big ole honkin’ bag of vermiculite and ‘my’ store was out. So we made the trek over to the other store to pick up my soil amendment and get some plants.

The instant I saw Mrs K, we both just locked eyes and I immediately made my way to her and we hugged in the longest hug I’ve shared in a very long time. We go way back. She kept both of my kids in mothers day out and we used to go to the same church. She also used to baby sit my little guy for me while he was sick so I could grocery shop, since I couldn’t take him with me. And she had my girl in MDO when she got the tip of her finger slammed in a door (another little kid closed it on her..no negligence on the school’s part) and it cut off her finger print. I frantically arrived at the school to find Mrs K holding my screaming, flailing girl with her blood all over the both of them. I reminded her of that the other day…good times. : )

But anyway, as we got ‘caught up’ chatting among the plants, we quickly discovered  that we are both on a journey to remain healthy. She has stayed the course for a long time and at 62 is proud to say that she doesn’t take any medications. Because of her healthy lifestyle choices. And since I am a slow learner, I am navigating this world AFTER a major illness, unlike her. But we both excitedly chatted about what we do, what we eat, how much we enjoy it…and how much we wish others could see what their toxic choices are doing to them.

She later commented on my basket of transplants and said I should have lots of good food. Among other things, I got 2 varieties of strawberries, two plants each. And it has nagged me ever since. So a couple of days ago, I went back to the store (to her store..and chatted with her some more) and got two more strawberry plants (yet another variety) and planted them too.

Yesterday I went to a farmers market she told me about and they had early strawberries so I grabbed a small basket. I told the girl about them and instructed her to eat SOME of them for lunch while I went to the gym. When I got home, she told me she ate all “the big ones”.

Gee thanks, kid.

Makes me glad I got those extra two plants. ; )

Maybe a need a couple more.

the garden

I have never gardened before. Well, I take that back, I did attempt to dump chemicals all over some tomato plants in an effort to get some home grown tomatoes one year. And it worked. Until I got tired of going out in the hot weather. And the plants finally died.

So as you can see, my experience with gardens is very limited. But we did have a garden when I was a kid for a few (lean) years. And my grandparents had a garden for as many years as I can remember until their health was too poor for them to actively work the garden the way they would have liked. So I guess it’s in my blood. At least a little bit.

But even though I can find some decent organic stuff at the grocery store and other stores that are out of the way, it can still be a bit spotty. And a lot expensive. So I began to research gardening.

I knew I didn’t want it to take up the whole yard and I didn’t want it to take up a lot of space. And I knew I wanted it to be organic. So after much searching, I came upon the concept of Square Foot Gardening and decided this was the plan for me.

It is simple and it doesn’t take up the entire yard with rows and the useless space in between them, because everything is contained in a box. I can walk around the box to tend and harvest. And all the squares are solid growing space. Thus the garden doesn’t take up half my yard. Pure genius. OK…genius so far. I have planted a lot of stuff inside (seed) and outside too.. a few seeds and lots of transplants.

So without further ado, behold….the garden. Square foot style, of course!

Beds A and B. Containing cabbage, broccoli, onions, two varieties of kale and red lettuce.

Beds C and D. Containing 3 varieties of strawberries, spinach (seeded under plastic), rosemary and parsley.

I have empty slots because 1) I got a late start for my planting zone 2) some things will go in a bit later…and 3) I am learning and reading and planting as I read through the square foot gardening book. So in other words, I’m flying by the seat of my pants.

I also have red bell peppers and two varieties of tomatoes growing from seed inside the house. My cat doesn’t know what to think about all of this. ; )

Stay tuned for updates as things grow. Or die. Hoping for the first.