I love gardening

United States
November 15, 2011 3:27pm CST
I was raised an organic gardener long before that term was widespread. My father planted every year and never used any chemicals at all, just plain old dirt, manure and compost. He taught meyself and my sisters how to grow just about any edible and non-edible plant that grew well in our particular region, and some that didn't. I have learned a few methods over the years, but always use his teachings. This next spring I am going to put in a large herb garden and market herbs from our home. Chickens for the eggs, too. We live in a rural area with excellent access to a wide variety of folks, many who live out here to escape the city but do not grow anything. Here's hoping for a successful new year!
3 responses
@marguicha (216342)
• Chile
15 Nov 11
I live in the city, but have a small garden. A couple of years ago I decided to clean up part of the lawn and make raised beds for veggies. This idea proved to be the best. I am on chemo now and my doctor forbid me to eat any normal vegetable if eaten raw. I have my organic vegetables and have eaten lettuce with arugule and kale all Winter. I live in the Southern Hemisphere and now I´m preparing my heart for the Summer´s bounty. Let us hope all comes OK
• United States
16 Nov 11
I'm sorry to read about the chemo, wishing you well with that process. And yes raised beds are the way to go! I also use a system called "companion planting" grouping plants together that eat well together such as tomatos, garlic and various herbs, I do this in conjuntion with square foot gardening. Thanks for responding, not sure why your Dr. wouldn't want you to eat fresh veggies, are you steaming them then?
@marguicha (216342)
• Chile
16 Nov 11
Thanks for your wishes! My doctor won´t let me eat raw veggies with pesticides, but I can eat all I want if they are organic. The intestine linings has problems with chemo, as skin. That´s why hair falls. I will check online about companion palnts. You have given me a wonderful idea. Thanks!
@Arieles (2473)
• United States
14 Dec 11
That is great that you were taught the value of organic gardening while you were still young. I plan to have a fairly large garden myself this upcoming year. The food will be healthier, cheaper and we will have more of a variety of foods than what can be purchased in the grocery store. We've been composting regularly too, and have a nice pile of dirt started up. I've been doing a lot of research on raised gardens and I am excited for the spring to come, so I can get started on these awesome gardens.
@allknowing (130292)
• India
19 Nov 11
Gardening has been my passion for years now. In fact we gave up life in the Metro and shifted to a semi rural town to give vent to my passion and indeed I am fully booked doing what I always loved. My garden has fruit trees, flowers, flowering bushes but not many vegetables. We used to grow vegetables but there was always excess and the shops do not want vegetables from small gardens. There is dearth of labour here and without help it is difficult to do heavy work in the garden.