Often time’s people I talk to want to start a vegetable garden …

to start getting a little closer to their food, show their kids where food comes from, they want that flavor they remember of fresh picked tomatoes growing up or they just want to save a few bucks. There really is only one trick to getting it started and that is to just start small. I am talking about even one little herb plant if that is necessary. In last week’s post we talked about where to get your seeds from, but you don’t even need to do that. You can go out right now and buy something to set on your windowsill or back porch in a container and soil already made up. From there all you need to do is water it when needed, watch it grow, soak up the extra oxygen and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

When it comes down to it there really are no excuses for not growing at least one thing on your own. Space, time and knowledge are the three that I hear the most and just cannot buy them as any legitimate reasons. Let’s start by addressing space. Do you have a window, porch, deck or anything similar to this? If so there is your growing space. It can be as little as a four inch round pot with one little plant in it. Just by starting here you really do start to have an appreciation that food does not just come in a grocery store magically and that somebody does have to put effort into what you buy.

Time is something that comes up with just about anything that people don’t want to do. This is fine if you don’t want to grow a garden, but if you are just using it as an excuse, then too bad, that doesn’t fly either. I have friends and clients that have 4-5 kids, both parents work and some own their own businesses, all the kids are in activities and they still find time to not just have a few plants, but crazy big gardens. Remember that we all have the same 24 hours in a day, but if you want to do a garden or even a few plants you really do have the time. If you go out and buy a few pots it can be a few minutes a day to commit. Just scale up as necessary.

Knowing what to grow, how to grow, when to pick etcetera are not excuses either. You can ask around if any of your friends have tried to grow something. If they haven’t well, you are reading this online and since you do have access to the Internet you can learn just about anything. Do a quick search for your specifics. Maybe it is growing your first tomato plant, how to make a three herb garden or even getting the most out of a 5×5 garden plot.

If you want to have a book here is a link to some that I have used and others that got great reviews:  http://astore.amazon.com/evolhealandfi-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=16

Check them out and see if one works well for you. Just make sure that you do not keep putting off a garden. If you really want one, just start small and take it where you like. I love to go out and pick something right before I eat it. I know you will too.

Have a Great Day!

Nick Horowski