Plant A Garden

The other day I was speaking with my friends who have "simplified" their grocery shopping by planting a garden.

Their entire yearly crop is raised in planters on their front deck. They have fresh tomatoes, peppers, artichokes, green beans, and several types of squash, as well as an extensive herb garden. They have set up a drip irrigation system on an automatic timer. They never have to till the soil; when the crop is finished they pull out the old plant, add some fresh mulch, and put in a new one. The planters are on wheels so they can be rotated easily to get the maximum sun through the season. They seldom have to spray for bugs, but when they do, they use an organic mixture of one part detergent to ten parts water.

They are professionals who both work long hours. They decided years ago that they would rather spend time on their deck tending their plants than running into the market every time they need a tomato. They get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from being the source of much of the produce that goes on their table, not the least of which comes from the fact that it is organically grown. What little work they do to tend this simple garden gives them a lot of enjoyment, and they love the feeling of being in touch with nature. In addition, they have made a point of involving their teenage son in their gardening routine. Not only has he been a big help to them, but also he has developed an appreciation for plants and nature he might not otherwise have had. Moreover, they have come to treasure the opportunity to work together as a family at an activity they all enjoy.

Always remember that if you have a space for a deck or patio garden, planting one may not only simplify your grocery shopping, but add a great deal of satisfaction to your life as well.