Three weeks ago I began working on a 20x20 plot and I am pleased to say that summer plants and seeds are in the ground. In a little over 8 weeks, I hope to harvest tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplant, okra, lima beans, zucchini, yellow squash and watermelon. The weather has been very pleasant and I am hopeful I will have a decent harvest this garden season. Going forward, work at the "Alexandria" plot will be maintenance. The plan is to stop there 2-3x a week to weed, lay down mulch, water and prune the plants (when needed). 

As you can see in the second picture, I began laying down leaves as cover for the beds and mulch in the walkways. Additionally, I created an organic pesticide using cayenne pepper and garlic and planted seeds for companion plants to keep away pests. Everyday I am learning something new about organic gardening (e.g., baking soda solution to kill mildew). 

Eventually, I will begin planning the "Fall" garden. However, I am going to use the next 8-12 weeks to create garden and nutrition education programs. In addition to sharing produce and encouraging others to do the same, the purpose of Sow. Harvest. Share also includes providing information to others. It has been a long three weeks, but I am looking forward to creating education & coaching programs that will help people achieve their lifestyle goals. 

Ask & You Shall Receive . . .

On April 27th, 2011, I received a call that completely changed everything. I received a 20x20 plot at an apartment complex 5 miles away from my home. My original plans were to plant in containers on my patio and at a Fort Totten, Washington, D.C. via the Garden Education class being held by the Neighborhood Farm Initiative. This space is more than enough to provide fresh produce for myself and the food pantry at The Christ Church. I plan on growing the following at this space: tomatoes, okra, sweet peppers, zucchini and summer squash, lima beans, green beans, collards and cabbage.

I started prepping the space for planting on April 30th. I have to say that I am thankful my parents ignored child labor laws and gender rules and had my sister and I do yard work every Spring & Summer. I knew immediately what needed to be done to this ground. The ground was muddy thanks to the rain we received the week before. So, I was able to clean up 75% of the ground. I wasn't prepared for the physical affect performing yard work after living in an apartment for ten years. Thus, I was not able to complete the space over the weekend. I will be there 1 hour a day during the week (May 3 - May 6th). In addition to putting up fencing to keep out the deer, i want to get seeds and transplants into the ground the weekend of May 7th.

In addition to the plots, I am planting cherry tomatoes, spring onions, and okra on my patio. Why? Well, just in case there is a delay (even a slight delay) with getting the Alexandria plot ready, at least I will have transplants & seeds in the ground today (May 2, 2011) and a harvest to share by mid-June.

Patience . . .

Patience has never been a strong personality trait of mine. However, gardening and establishing Sow. Harvest. Share has taught me how important it will be to be patient and understand that none of this is under my control.

A month has past since my last blog post. If I had to speak in quantitative terms, not much has occurred. My tomato and how pepper seedlings are inches higher and have "official" leaves.  I planted the following seeds: collards, cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, sweet peppers, basil, cilantro, lettuce, spearmint, lavender, oregano, and thyme. Peas (planted a bit too late, but we will see) are slowly sprouting on my patio. However, I received great news this week which unofficially launched Sow. Harvest. Share. A representative of the Capital Area Food Bank's Grow A Row program informed me that the food pantry at The Christ Church in Old Town Alexandria would appreciate my fresh produce donations. I have waited all winter for this news.

I am beyond excited to be working with The Christ Church and the Capital Area Food Bank.The next step is to design flyers to inform community gardeners of Sow. Harvest. Share, pick-up schedule, drop-off day, etc., etc. It will be weeks, maybe months before I and my fellow gardeners have anything to harvest and share. That said, receiving that email was the beginning of many great things to come . . . . provided I remain patient.

A New Journey

Two months ago I decided to create a garden (again). The first time I attempted to grow anything on my patio, I planted several herb plants. Lavender, chamomile, oregano, rosemary, basil and thyme. I then received notice that I had to go to Minneapolis for two weeks. For some reason, I did not think to ask my neighbor to water my herbs. I came back home to dead herbs. This was four years ago, while I ate well (relatively speaking), I never thought about being part of a "movement". I purchased my fruits and vegetables from the local supermarket. My "herbs" were going to be dehydrated for tea. I drink a lot of herbal tea. Good tea isn't cheap.

Well, now its 2011 and my view on eating and food have completely evolved. I prefer to get my vegetables from the local farmer's market & spend very little (as little as I can) at local supermarkets. I make as many of my own meals as my schedule allows. My meals may contain meat, but they are "veggie based". Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables are a must for me. Should be a "must" for everyone. That said, I remember when I first started cooking with fresh vegetables on a regular basis (i.e., every night) . . . it wasn't easy. In fact, it was the Winter 2007-2008 season. I roasted everything. I ate butternut squash and Brussels sprouts almost every night.

I believe everyone should eat fresh fruits and vegetables. I believe everyone should "own" their food. Experience the joy & pain of growing a seed into a plant that provides the body with the nutrients it needs. I believe people should have their own thoughts when it comes to food. Not the thoughts of a food manufacturer. Experience the pleasure of tasting a dish made at home from fresh vegetables. This blog will document my journey with growing food and sharing my food, experiences & knowledge with my community.