Welcome - 52 weeks of gardening

Nancy and I grew up in the city. My earliest memory of gardening was a summer vacation when we went to visit relatives and saw them harvest vegetables from their country garden. An aunt pulling a beautiful carrot out of the ground. The colors of the vegetables seemed more vibrant; the flavors more robust.

 

When I was about 5 our parents decided to have us grow a few vegetables in the dirt along the driveway. We were each assigned a small plot to seed and water. The packet I was given to plant was for patty pan/scalloped squash. I remember reaching across the patch of dirt and planting the seeds, and a few days later watching in wonder as the seedlings started breaking through the soil. 

 

We recently visited our childhood home we grew up in, and I looked at the patch where I planted the scalloped squash. I was surprised at how narrow the dirt was and I am amazed at what we were able to grow in the soil that was only about 18” wide and ran the length between the concrete driveways of our home and the neighbors’. Our brother planted Indian Corn and was able to harvest several ears of colorful corn. There were tomato plants, and various other vegetables.  

 

After returning to California, Nancy invited me to join a community garden a few years ago.  We each have a plot, as well as community areas where we are we are responsible for cultivating and caring for the plants and shrubs. We have enjoyed working in the community garden, learning from each other and the other members of the garden, seeing what worked well and improving our skills.

 

This year our goal is to focus on 52 weeks of planting. To be efficient with the space we have been given for a more abundant harvest to share with family and friends. We hope to be more grow a few unique varieties of vegetables, and share tips and tools that have worked, and assess and share what didn’t work as well.

 

We are fortunate to live where the weather permits things to grow year-round. Join us on our journey,