Getting Started (a Recap of Early Summer)

Back in May of this year, I was at the farmers market buying strawberries and fresh tomatoes, and I ran into one of my chemistry professors. We chatted for a while and went our separate ways. As it turns out, we live in the same neighborhood and I ended up following him for a good way home; as we sat at a stop sign, he rolled down the window of his Toyota and gestured for me to pull of next to him.

"Want to come have breakfast?" he asked.

I responded, rather emphatically, "Heck yea!"

We arrived at his house two minutes later, and I was floored by how he had transformed his Belhaven home's yard into a magical wonderland of plants. I conveyed this amazement in both attitude and words, and he told me to follow him around to the back of the house. Here he kept his tropical plants and, a few yards further on, his chickens. That morning I feasted on fresh eggs and strawberries, along with some German style bread and cheese.

So, naturally, the next saturday, I returned to the farmers market and bought what all gardeners start off with: tomato plants. The woman in the stall next door was selling strawberry plants, so I decided to buy one as well. Here I've the makings of a fine garden, I thought to myself. I proceeded to Lowe's and purchased some pepper plants, eggplants, sweet potatoes (oh what a terrible decision!) and some marigolds to protect my plants from creepy crawlies. Later that week I hooked a tow strap to the ball-hitch of my Honda Element and uprooted the holly shrubs that had, until that moment, dominated the front of my home. That same day I planted my tomatoes, potatoes of the sweet variety, eggplants, and peppers. I also bought a hanging citronella plant (I've got a terrible mosquito problem), and my mother insisted I buy some pretty purple flowers.

I then got it in my head that I needed some kind of fruit tree, so I loaded up in the Elephant and hauled over to the local garden store. I browsed the arbol department and became sorely disappointed when I realized that they were sold out of peach trees. But never fear, the impulse buyer will buy anything when the mood strikes!! An exotic sounding tree caught my attention: the Japanese Persimmon. A quick Google search revealed that the Japanese Persimmon tree bears delicious and large fruit that, when immature, can be used to treat various infirmities. Boomtown. I purchased this tree at a discounted price, and the staff loaded it up for the trip to its new home.

And just like that I was hooked on everything that is gardening. One problem though: I was due to travel to Peru in June and stay there until August. With help from friends and family, my garden was able to limp along until I returned like the prodigal son.