My "garden"

I use the term "garden" loosely because what I am currently growing is limited to the deck area behind our townhouse. Lately I've been trying to be a little greener, including creating less waste, supporting local businesses and farmers, and trying to eat healthier food. I've started going to the local dairy to support them and get milk from cows that haven't been injected with hormones. I've tried to buy veggies and what I can from local farm stands, and buying organic is a perk. The ultimate in this is trying to grow our own food, as much as possible in a townhouse, anyway.

With the realization that this year wasn't going to be the year for getting a house, I was disappointed when I thought about the bountiful garden I would have had. Not to be defeated, I ventured out to Big Lots to get a bunch of large pots and then visited local farm stands and purchased a variety of plants, including lettuce, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, roma tomatoes, bush tomatoes, and a few spices. I have been obsessively watering the plants (I am known for sort of forgetting about things that need to be watered around mid-summer, at which time they promptly die) and they seem to be doing well. Just look below at the actual beginnings of a head of broccoli! I feel success already. The only thing that has been ready to harvest so far is the lettuce, but I'm already loving being able to fix dinner with something I grew. It's just so satisfying. I can't wait for the rest! Today I went and got a few more plants to add red peppers and yellow squash. I'm not sure how that will turn out with a pot and a tomato cage, but I'm going to try!