I have had a garden for my entire adult life. Since getting married I have been drawn to the yard and enthralled with learning more and growing my food. I started small, a few tomato plants and a zucchini (because I LOVE zucchini bread).
Now, before you decide to skim over this section because you just don't have the space for a garden, let me ask you to think VERY long and hard about that. You do not, I repeat, you DO NOT have to have a large sprawling lot or acres and acres to have a garden. Do you have a porch? A patio? A flower bed?
My very first home early in our marriage was a shoebox 900 square foot home. The yard was not much to speak of and there as not a garden plot in place, no problem...I just made one. I think that first plot was about 5 ft long by 4 ft wide. It was nothing compared to the huge garden my grandmother and aunt put out, but it was mine, and it was a start.
Those first few garden years taught me a lot. I did not have an abundance to can or share but it was enough to give me a taste of what it was like to be able to go outside and pick something that I grew for my family, and know what went into that plant.
Fast forward a few years and I had a bigger home with more yard space to till up for a garden. I also became intrigued by the idea of mixing edibles into my flower beds. This is something that even you homeowners association gals can do, trust me when I say that no one will notice some cleverly tucked cilantro, basil or chives mixed in with your flowering hydrangeas.
Now that I live on acreage I have plenty of room to sprawl out and grow pretty much whatever I want. Just know that it didn't start that way and you don't have to have anything but a square foot to start. (Here is a great link to what square foot gardening is all about).
Gardening is one of those areas that people love to talk about. If you know anyone at all with a garden, ask them their favorite tips and tricks, we gardeners LOVE to share what works for us. The great thing is that for the most part, there is no right or wrong way. Whether you are into the Back to Eden method, the keyhole garden method, strawbale gardening, or even Lasagna gardening, there is something for everyone.
This is the perfect time of year to prepare for gardening and some of the EASIEST crops ever are beans, patio tomatoes, and herbs. Here is a post I did on the easiest beans you will ever grow.
I can't explain it but there is just something magical about growing your own food, even if it is just one bunch of basil or a few cherry tomatoes, it is addictive!
