This is the chronicle of my urban agriculture experiment – the process of transforming the 6’ x 8’ balcony of my second-story apartment into a vegetable container garden. Now in Year 2.
I'm part hobbit, part Jedi, and a lacto-ovo vegetarian.
I grew up in rural Illinois living a typical farm-kid life — exploring, raising animals and helping my mom around the house and in the garden. When I went to college for landscape architecture, a venture fueled by my love of art and the outdoors, I found I missed certain parts of the country lifestyle.
While in school I first lived in a dorm and then in a basement apartment with my husband. My studies included plants and designing gardens, but my gardening was limited to a few houseplants.
Our post-college, grown-up-a-bit-more apartment gave us a little room to stretch and enjoy the sunshine. My garden started from an innate desire to create, be independent, and take a step toward sustainability.
Today, my garden helps feed my husband and I, gives me a sense of personal accomplishment and provides me with the kind of “green” therapy that I used to take for granted. I hope my garden will inspire others who wish to garden, but don’t think they can because they don’t have a yard or traditional garden space. In some ways it’s easier, in others it’s harder, and it’s all worth it.
So sad about the peppers... That makes me want to cry a bit.
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