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.
these are really great pictures. Now I'm really hurting from that lost camera...
ReplyDeleteWow, those close-up pics are great! I can't ever get my camera to co-operate if I try something like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks! My camera isn't anything special, just a $100 point-n-shoot. But I do have to take 20-50 photos just to get one to turn out perfect.
ReplyDelete