In mid-May, I started my very first container garden and I already love so many things about having it. The fact that I have a built-in break each day for watering is just one thing on that little list. I love how the plants change from day to day and flowers appear out of nowhere to get you ready for the fruit. I love how it’s made me friends with one of our neighbor ladies who Eric and I both agree reminds us of my grandmother. And I love how I can just open the door at lunchtime and have a few fresh ingredients to add to my plate. Oh, and I love all of the smells!
This year, we’re growing basil, spearmint, oregano, cilantro, summer squash, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes, red bell peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, romaine lettuce and city lettuce. Up until last week, we had mostly just been enjoying the herbs – a little mint mixed with lemon in water or added to a salad, a bit of basil adorning many a Caprese salad and cilantro added to our almost weekly black bean burritos. But last week we got strawberries! From our garden! I swear it feels like magic. And for that reason, vegetable gardening has quickly become one of my favorite little things.
Now I wait for the peppers and tomatoes to marry everything together for fresh salsa. I guess I’m learning a little about patience too.
P.S. I thought I’d issue a little warning because I’m positive many more posts about what we harvest each week will be coming. I hope you won’t mind indulging me. I sort of love food and haven’t gotten past the initial amazement that it magically appears in my front yard.
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