As our loyal readers know, the last couple of years we’ve had very hearty pot gardens.
Tomatoes, beans, strawberries, peas, and squash, grown–some from seeds and others from small purchased plants–and tenderly watered and cared for, harvested and enjoyed in summer and fall meals.
We moved our garden last year from Grove St. to Winslow Rd. and it was a mess. We broke the tops off a bunch of our plants and I think a few went into shock from the move, and we only went about 6 blocks! And because we’re a bit unsure about where we’ll be nesting next year (could be in town, could be who knows where!?!?), we didn’t plant a garden this spring and I’m beginning to feel a sort of loss. Detachment perhaps? Like I’m missing a part of my soul. Okay. Maybe that’s a bit melodramatic. But we spent so much time and effort and care and concern over our gardens in the past that it really does feel like we’re missing something real out of our springtime day to day.
The other day I happened upon this lovely post via Etsy’s How-To blog on how to create a small garden in small spaces, this one particularly about a spa garden–herbs useful for spa remedies, balms, and teas. Sounds great, right? And reading further to this awesome blog on city gardening called City Dirt, made me go–Ah HA!. HERBS! I can plant herbs in small pots transportable to wherever we may be in the coming months! YES! Basil, rosemary, lemonbalm, mint, and chamomile! Wahey! I can nurture, water, and care for them, and not be sad in having to leave them behind. They’ll be useful in summer and fall meals, AND if they are especially bountiful, someday in our soaps!
Do any of you, dear readers, have gardens? Can we live vicariously through you? Send your updates. What are you growing? What’s working well, what’s not? Has the strange spring weather upset your planting plans? In the meantime, I’m off to start some seeds and seedlings for herbs and assuage my gardening needs while dreaming of a large garden plot rich with planted abundance… some day!
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31 May, 2010 at 23:44
Katie Gates
Hi Anna, Coming here from your post on the Seven Sisters Linked in discussion. I admire your green thumb. I am SO the opposite of that! But, I try to make up for it with other creativity, which makes me not only a Seven Sister, but also an etsy sister (link to my shop is on my blog).
I look forward to reading more of your postings!
– Katie
7 July, 2010 at 18:21
Anna B.
Thanks for visiting, Katie! Just stopped by your Etsy site. Beautiful things! I especially like your cards. Trying to keep up with my blog. Will hopefully have more time to do so soon! Best wishes to you!
6 July, 2010 at 20:54
Crystal Massuda
Hi!
I also found your site through the Seven Sisters discussion. I live in Malden. Have you been here long? I’ll have to read more of your blog.
This is my second year doing a little home garden – most things from seed. This year I’ve got tomatoes and one lone pepper and I’m also trying out or the first time cucumbers, squash (delicata and summer) and watermelon (long shot). So far all the plants are still alive and thriving (though watermelon plant is still tiny), everything is flowering, not many veggies yet 🙂 except for a few baby cukes. Today was so hot, but I managed to pull out my peas and put in the ground some of the plants that were getting too big for their pots (1st year I did all containers :-). Things got off to a slow start, but now everything’s taking off and I anticipate we will have plenty more time this growing season.
There are so many wonderful farms and farmer’s markets in MA! Two years ago I joined a CSA (Waltham Fields) and this year am participating in Farm Co-op Direct’s program, so already getting lots of great fruit and veggies!
I’ve also been trying to make (and hopefully complete) some art dolls, so I started a blog for motivation 🙂
btw I loove Etsy too. Hopefully some day I will have completed items to sell there!
7 July, 2010 at 18:18
Anna B.
Thank you Crystal! We’re glad you’ve come to visit our blog and hope you’ll return often. Your garden sounds lovely. I was able to revive two of our pots that had re-growth in them from last year’s garden–one with mint (which frankly just won’t die) and another that has strawberries. I’ve used the mint on watermelon balls (yum! highly recommend) and am hoping the strawberries grow in full, though we may have to wait another year. You’ll have to let me know how your garden does later on. We wish you the very best of harvests! I like your blog’s design. Very pretty. Will read further. Good luck with finishing your projects for Etsy! Will look for you there, hopefully soon!
25 August, 2011 at 19:16
Brad Ridler
Wow your garden puts my little patch of dirt to shame!