Spring…Welcome back! The gardening obsession, interrupted by Life, has once again started in the most innocent of ways. Let me share my latest affair with this earth of ours, as I cultivate seeds of joy, health and satisfaction. I love peas and when I gardened in Fredericksburg, the first thing I planted, were peas for my family. they were easy, there was no guessing involved…simply measure the spacing, make sure to read the seed packet to determine if it was a climber or did not need supports, pop those babies in, water and sit back and wait. Although I shared this with a gardener friend of mine who calmly stated, “I planted Snow peas February 15th”……yep……that’s ok…I am taking notes!!!
Two Saturday’s ago, I spent the day with Sven. Who is Sven? Sven is short for Seventeen, the plot rented from the Maryland National Capitol Parks and Planning Division. I have rented plots before to grow for a season. I rented a plot in the District Heights Fiesta Community Garden. I did not have the time to fully participate in the activities that a community garden offers due to work commitments at that time. Now, I am ready to grow what I know to eat, experiment with unknown or untried vegetables or even familiar vegetables that I love. Finding this plot where I could just grow what I want, meet like-minded wanna be farmers/gardeners, who just need a little piece of the earth and a space to peacefully be one with the earth.
Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning has several sites throughout Prince Georges County that offer a bit of green to grow on. Basic rules – have your permit with you at all times, no structures exceeding 6 feet, open from dawn to dusk (important during July and August), clean around your plot, be respectful of the property and the season ends on December 1. I can work with this!!!
With the food scares in the news today as well as the dire need to plant pollinator plants as often as possible, finding a place to grow in my community to feed my need to grow, my need to share and know what I am putting into my body is such a great feeling. My summer love affair with the earth/Sven, will be shared as things start growing and the pollinators find out that someone in the District Heights area cares enough to plant things that provide a food source, a place to nest as well as a bit of water.
Are you growing something to provide for the pollinators as well as good food to eat?? You do not need a big plot, you do not need to water everyday, you just need to connect with your piece of this earth, find something you love to grow and then just plant something!!! It truly is easier than you think.
Welcome back Spring…….. been waiting for your return…..
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