All Grown Up and Still Growing...
by Prof. Anya Chutney
I grew up on a farm of sorts. We had five acres with horses, chickens, fresh peaches and tomatoes, and blueberries — every summer. Growing up, I hated helping my mother plant. I preferred being inside with a good book — or going shopping with friends. You've never known annoyance of a fruit or vegetable until your Mum has asked you (five or ten times) to "go and pick the figs (blueberries, peaches, tomatoes...etc.)!!!!"
Now that I'm all grown up (in theory, anyway), I have found that I love planting. Perhaps I'm looking to reclaim part of my childhood — perhaps I just adore fresh tomatoes — whatever the case, the planting bug has bitten.
Now is the time of year for new growth, new possibilities, fresh ideas — and plants, plants, plants. Last summer, I planted my first crop of tomatoes. Now, I want to buy every plant in sight.
Right now I have tiny cucumbers waiting to grow into salad fixin's. I also have two tiny green tomatoes on our "Early Girl" plant. I can't wait to make salsa with them — when they are a bit less green, mind you.
Do you plant? It doesn't matter how big or small your garden — or planter collection is. If you have a windowsill, you can plant fresh herbs such as rosemary, basil, and dill. Or, even better, if you have a front porch, find an inexpensive herb pot at the local farmer's market and plant a variety of herbs in one pot. The ladies and gents who run the local markets are also a great source of advice for beginners and experts alike. They love planting, too!
Plants are the most amazing things. One day you have bare dirt — and the next day you have tiny green sprouts shooting up out of the soil. Life in progress... right in front of your eyes!
I love waiting to see what my plants will do. For instance, I love to plant morning glories and moonflowers. In the morning, I'm greeted by flowers that are all but bursting off of their vines — just to show the world their glory. At night, the moonflowers show off their creamy white petals and lovely fragrance.
There are plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, plants that only open at night or during the early morning, plants that change colour depending on how acidic the soil is. I have two beautiful pink hydrangeas showing off their sassy pink selves right now, in fact.
You don't have to be an expert — you simply must like to watch things grow. You will find that the more you plant, the more you want to know about growing things. After all, it's not a bad hobby - growing lovely plants that you can enjoy and share with friends and family.
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