Adventures in Gardening

In my quest for new experiences, I just rented a garden plot (with Lisa, at her prompting) at Henderson Park’s Community Garden. They tell me I can plant whatever I want, so long as it’s legal. So I will save the cannabis for the privacy of my back yard, and see if I can grow some semblance of herbs and vegetables.

I’m not a gardener. In fact I’ve killed many a house plant because it does not occur to me that they need water. Until it does, which is often too late. People tell me this means I shouldn’t have children, but at least children cry when they need something. The plants just sit there and expect to be noticed. I have a green plant on my desk at work that I maintain because it is self-watering, meaning I just fill the water to the line and a wick gives the plant the precise amount of water it needs. In my opinion, all plants should have this feature.

So, you may ask, why embark on a community garden? Maybe just because it’s there. And the idea sounds really cool. And since Lisa is doing it with me, I kinda figure she might remember that they need water when I don’t.

We haven’t started yet. In fact, I think they’re still cultivating the land. The plot is on Henderson Road in Tucker next to the soccer fields. The garden has a number of individual plots, a center plot that everybody is encouraged to help with where the fruits of labor go to the community food bank, and a row of corn and blueberries that all members can harvest from.

The community aspect appeals to me. Plus I need a project. Plus it’s an opportunity for additional bonding with Lisa. Plus free corn and blueberries. Plus I might actually learn a thing or two about gardening.

Lisa admits to being as green as I am, which I’m just now realizing is a completely inappropriate word to describe a lack of gardening skills. But we both want to learn. She has some friends available to provide guidance, and my Dad has an amazing garden he and Anne have cultivated over the past year so he’ll lend some counsel as well. Although he wants me to get into composting. Which is one thing when the garden is in your own yard, but quite another when it isn’t. The last thing I want to do is cart banana peels and rotten salad scraps to the park on a regular basis. Mom has donated her fertilizer, but I don’t think it meets the organic requirements. So it might be a fertilizer free plot, but then again, it might not even get watered. First things first.

We haven’t decided what to plant. Lisa wants herbs. I want some manner of vegetables, but I don’t do tomatoes. All that’s coming to mind right now is carrots and bell peppers. But research has yet to be done. And as Lisa keeps reminding me … if all else fails, we can always plant flowers. And hope it rains.