If you’ve followed my blog over the years, you’ll know I’m not a big fan of yard work – which would include “gardening” in general.

That being said, I’m currently obsessed with these “YouTube” channels which feature “modern” homesteaders.  These folks have purchased a wild and untamed piece of land and are working towards making it their own.  Some are off-grid, some are full of modern conveniences.  Some of my favorites are Lumnah Acres, Red Poppy Ranch, and my personal favorite – My Self Reliance.  This guy has taken a section of backwoods, Canadian wilderness and hand-built a log cabin, outdoor kitchen, sauna, and is now working on a garden and workshop.  I find it fascinating – and inspiring.

So, this year, I decided to try my hand at a little vegetable gardening.  Since I wasn’t sure if I’d take to it (and didn’t want to dig up my own yard), I opted to “rent” a plot in my local community garden.  At 26’ x 5’, it’s more than enough room for me to experiment with different kinds of vegetables and to get a “feel” for growing my own fresh produce.  Plus, they supply almost everything I need, from a water source (a 330-gallon tank onsite), garden implements, and a safe, fenced-in area to try my hand at “mini-farming”.  I just bring the seeds and plants and have at it.

Of course, me being me, I’ve studied and planned the hell out of it before even planting my first seed.  I follow the “square foot” gardening method, which optimizes the entire space and gives me 104 “squares” on which to plant (no, my math is not wrong – I’m  not planting in the “middle” row, which gives me a one foot path down the middle for easier access).  Yes, there is a spreadsheet involved.

I’m trying to stagger the plantings (giving me a longer and more even harvest), and my evenings are filled with researching different varieties of heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and kales.

With the quarantine going on, I find it relaxing to walk down to the garden every day (it’s about a quarter mile away from my house) and check out how things are doing.  I’ve got a whole “salad” section (radishes, kale, onions, carrots, lettuce, and spinach), sugar-snap peas, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, beans, zucchini, yellow squash, and tomatoes – all in various stages of growth. 

I’m sure there will be plenty of lessons to be learned, and if this year’s experiment is a success, perhaps I’ll take the plunge and build some 4’ x 8’ raised beds in my own yard for next year (which would be the ultimate goal).

If this whole pandemic has taught me anything, it’s that I can’t always count on going to the store to get what I need to feed my family.  Plus, it’s nice to know where my own food comes from, and there is a sense of accomplishment and pride at knowing that I grew it myself.  We’ll see if I feel the same way in September.

Are you putting out a garden this year?  Drop me a line in the comment section below and share your plans!