Growing in the Process of Growing Things

When people ask me what time of year I start planning my garden I always answer “anytime.” The reality is all year round is a good time to plan your garden because it is so cyclical. Even in July during the peak of the season I am planning out and evaluating what I will do differently the following May. Gardening has become such an integral part of who I am.

When I started my first garden over 15 years ago it was in my parent’s suburban backyard. A space no bigger than 3 x 4 feet. I grew cherry tomatoes, peppers, flowers and herbs (that are still invading my mom’s flower beds to this day!) Every day I would go out and check for progress in my little garden and I was so amazed at how quickly things grew and that actual food came from the earth.

In college I planted in pots on the fire escape of my apartment. Being outside and enjoying any hint of green brought healing to me in so many ways and a refuge during stressful times. In the winter I brought them inside for fresh herbs through the cold season.

Fast forward to today and it brings me so much joy to share my love of growing with my children. Especially my middle son Kelby Jr who has taken up such a love for being in the garden. Ever since they were babies in a basket my boys would be outside with me tending to the soil, pruning, weeding and their favorite part harvesting. It is so much fun to gather the buckets and wagons and fill them until they topple over. I love the scavenger h