I have decided to give myself another role I can add to any future bios I might have to (painfully) write for myself: GARDENER.
I was really waffling about whether to go ALL IN on the garden and throw a bunch of seeds in the ground and build my own tomato cage from rebar, or start small with one or five plants from Lowe's and see how that went. I went back and forth on this for a while. On one hand, I would love to be An Amazing Gardener Type Person and grow lots of delicious things and basically bathe in tomatoes all summer long because I am So So So Good at it. On the other hand, it felt like I was setting myself up for a huge disappointment if they failed. So much time and energy and heart....WASTED. (Possibly.)
Then I decided that if I did go the simple, "just visit Lowe's" route, I'd be frustrated if it turned out well. "Just THINK of what I COULD have done!"
So. I have purchased seeds. A lot of seeds. We (hope) to be eating:
Tomatoes
Brandywine (Elizabeth told me to buy it.)
Mr Stripey (I admit, I could not resist this name. I shall be cooing to Mr Stripey all season. "Oh, Mr Stripey! How are you doing today!? Would you like a spot of water? It's dreadfully warm today, don't you think?") (I have possibly watched too much Downton Abbey.)
Amish Paste (I don't really know what this is but people say it's good for sauce.)
Black Krim (I picked it randomly. It looked kind of pretty.)
Cherokee Purple (Elizabeth told me to buy it.)
Yellow Pear (I just like these little suckers and they're pretty in a salad.)
Herbs
Thyme, Oregano, Mint, Basil, Cilantro
Other delectamables
Cucumber, Okra, Bell Peppers, Scallions.
Oh, and lettuce. I got lettuce because Elizabeth says it grows anywhere and is very simple and is very satisfying to be all, "Let me go get some lettuce from my yard for a salad!" I think I got some kind of butter leaf lettuce variety packet.
We'll start the seeds that need to begin indoors when they get here (next week, I think?) and I have no frakking clue what I'm doing but I am pretty sure I will get my hands dirty and I will swear a lot but it will all be worth it if I get my plate of tomatoes to feast on come May. (Or, June? Have I mentioned I have no idea what I'm doing?) Claire is going to help and I anticipate that much of our day will revolve around the feeding and care and maintenance and OH SHIT PLEASE DON'T DIE mentality of the garden.
Let's do this shit. Mama wants a homegrown caprese salad this summer.
I would LOVE to have a garden, but I kill everything. Seriously. I probably couldn't keep a weed alive. My husband, on the other hand, can grow ANYTHING. (Before we met he worked in a plant store and grew orchids as a hobby. He knows how to hybrid plants and all sorts of crazy stuff.) Anyway, since it would be up to him entirely to keep a garden alive, I leave it up to him whether or not to plant one. And so far the verdict every year has been- no garden. Someday though!
Posted by: Elsha | February 11, 2012 at 11:08 PM
I so want a garden but I'm pretty sure I'd kill it all. I did have an herb garden last year and loved that. It was so nice to just step outside and get some basil. Good luck, and take pictures, I'll live vicariously thru your tomatoes
Posted by: Meghan | February 12, 2012 at 05:32 AM
Do not plant the mint in the ground near anything that you like. Mint will take over everything. Put it in a pot by the back door or something. Mint is a maniac!
Basil and Rosemary are super easy. I didn't kill those.
Good luck!
Posted by: natalie | February 12, 2012 at 08:15 AM
I'm going to do a container garden on the back patio this summer. I used to be a great gardener, then I grew up and everything started dying. So this year, I am going to redeem myself.
I'm not getting seeds though. I'm going to go with the little plants that are already half finished. Less for me to ruin.
Posted by: HereWeGoAJen | February 12, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Good luck with your garden! Growing anything in Texas is a challenge; your Dad and Granddad have had several years experience. Remember when you were young and your little hands could reach through the tomato cage and your tiny fingers could pick the Sweet 100 tomatoes so easily for us? Each spring a friend gave us transplants she had grown in the house from seed using flourescent lights placed about 5 inches above them. We planted them outside about April 15 when the ground had warmed.
Posted by: Grandmother | February 12, 2012 at 03:12 PM
I am a half-assed, partial-fail gardener and legendary house plant killer myself. Herbs are teh awesome - they need very little care, grow all summer, and you can throw them in everything. They've been by far my best gardening success. Squash also tends to be easy and crazy-prolific. Two plants were one too many for us. I totally failed at tomatoes, after trying to grow a Mr. Stripey plant a few years ago (was also sucked in by the name!). My plant just grew taller forever, and finally fell over to be left for dead when it outgrew its stake, and then had the gall to produce two very green tomatoes practically at Halloween. May you not get my tomato karma. I did have the crazy idea of trying some in pots this year...we'll see, and the lettuce sounds worth a shot too...now look what you've done! Pray for the plants...
Posted by: Roberta | February 13, 2012 at 12:24 PM
Oh good for you!! I am so glad you are taking the leap! I will try to follow in your footsteps once some of the endless snow melts. And, um, any DEEPLY DETAILED step-by-step posts you want to write about actually DOING the garden would be devoured with great gusto by yours truly.
Posted by: Life of a Doctor's Wife | February 13, 2012 at 02:05 PM
yes to the homegrown caprese salad! i ate that every day last year, sometimes twice a day. can you post pictures when your seeds are planted?!
Posted by: obabe | February 14, 2012 at 08:50 AM