I continue to be intrigued and enthusiastic at the growing interest in backyard vegetable gardening. I too have enjoyed getting rid of the lawn and building raised beds to plant food. I suppose with the world in such a mess it’s our way to take control. We are able to nurture ourselves with food that we grow. We are able to nourish our families, knowing how and where our food is grown. You can’t get more local food than that which is grown in your own yard.
I am eager to plant my vegetable garden this spring, but it’s much too early and we are experiencing quite cold weather. Last weekend I was able to get out in the yard to weed and clean up a bit. I stirred the compost pile and added some of the mix to the large raised bed then covered it with black plastic. I’m thinking this will help warm the organic mixture and hurry it along, and that by planting time it will develop into a moist rich soil.
I think those of us in the Northwest thought we had dodged winter this year, but Thursday we experienced our first snowfall of the season. Daffodil stalks are 8” high, trees are budding and one of my rhododendrons is in bloom. Snow? Really?? I couldn’t think of anything else to do for the garden other than toss handfuls of dried leaves on the asparagus and garlic to keep the snow from damaging them. Its cold, it’s wet and it’s not yet time to do any more work in the garden.
I feel optimistic as I read books on canning and food preservation. As the city was anticipating snow, I took a trip to Goodwill to look for canning jars and found shelves full of wonderful glass Kerr and Ball jars ready for my fruits and vegetables next fall. I take pleasure in having the confidence that on a very cold wintery day I can look forward to harvesting my fruits and vegetables that are now yet to be planted.
Even as the world is reeling in chaos we continue to prepare our gardens, finding some little plot of ground to optimistically plant our seeds. I think it reflects our spirit, our confidence and our desire to make things better. Possibly it’s that we literally enjoy seeing the fruits of our labors. Whatever the reason, I love growing food and look forward to writing about the process.
