If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you’ll remember that last year I spent some of my COVID isolation planting a garden, utilizing a plot in my town’s local community garden.  It was a great way to get some exercise, see if I would enjoy digging in the dirt, and also allowed me to undertake a hobby that provided some relevant feedback on success or failure.

I have to say that although I’m not a newly converted and rabid disciple of all things green-thumb related, I did enjoy the satisfaction of growing some fresh vegetables for my table and took the opportunity to experiment with plant types, spacing, trellis types, and some other ideas. 

So this year, I am taking the plunge and building out some infrastructure for my own home garden.  I am utilizing some space right off of my back patio area, right between my house and a large storage shed, which will allow easy access for planting, harvesting, and maintenance.

Building on my experiences from last year, I’m going small – utilizing only two 4’ x 4’ raised beds, four half whiskey barrels, and some assorted pots.  I like the raised beds because they provide a deep soil profile that I can control (eighteen inches), the elevated growing space means it’s easier on my body for maintenance, and it’s plenty of growing space.  I use the “square foot” gardening method (popularized by Mel Bartholomew), and with just these two raised beds, I am getting 32 “mini-plots” of 1’ x 1’ space to grow just about anything I want.  I’m using one bed for garden greens (spinach and an assortment of lettuces), while the other bed will be used for root crops (onions, carrots, and radishes) as well as a few pepper plants or other summer crops later in the year.  I am also staggering my plantings, so when once square is harvested, I’ll have another one already well on the way, which should keep my kitchen supplied with fresh vegetables throughout the growing season.

I’ve clustered the whisky barrels around a garden bench, where I have built some teepee trellises for snow peas and will also stake and cage some summer tomatoes.  Sprinkle in some pots growing fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, oregano, chives, and thyme) and ornamental flowers scattered throughout the area and I’ve got a serviceable, yet manageable growing space that should suit my family’s needs throughout the season. 

 If you’re not sure if gardening is right for you, I urge you to try it out at a local community garden or co-op.  Most of these provide almost everything you need to get started (except for the plants or seeds), and if it turns out you don’t really enjoy it, then you didn’t shell out a large sum of money on equipment, soil or other accessories – not to mention that you didn’t tear up your yard for a one-time diversion.  One or two pots on your patio or porch can also get you experimenting and gently dipping your toe into the gardening waters. 

if you’ve ever experienced the unforgettable taste of a home grown, sun-kissed, juicy tomato that you grew yourself, you’ll know what I mean. 

Happy Planting!