Into the Garden: Vegetables

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, one of the last of summer, and I couldn’t help but look out my window into the storm pouring onto my labor of work. I couldn’t help but think about how much my garden has gone through in just these few months of summer, and how much I enjoyed spending my time laboring over it. From a patch of soil, to rows of seedlings, to daily nibbles of cherry tomatoes and snippets of swiss chard. The zucchini has gone, and now the green peppers and tomatoes thrive, before all that remains is soil once again.
One goal for this summer was to document my first attempt in growing a garden on my own, while strengthening my photography skills, and Martha Stewart living had the great idea of creating a photo book of photos from your garden. So I set out on a summer of gardening, and living sustainably after being inspired and motivated by Citizens Farmers from Daron “Farmer D” Joffe.“It seems so simple to plant a seed and grow food. That seed, however, is often a symbol of change. It grows not only food, but power, strength, connections, an outspoken voice, and the confidence that you will always be able to provide for your family.” – Daron “Farmer D” JoffeIt’s quite interesting to see how much we become the person we’re meant to be as we grow older. I grew up on the farms during my childhood summers in Portugal, it was always a part of my life but it is now that I’m older, unable to spend months at a time there, that I appreciate that lifestyle. I grew up exposed to a variety of fresh food, and having a part in working with family digging up the potatoes, and walking alongside fig trees choosing the one with the plumpest fruit. I’m so lucky to have had and have that in my life, and it’s no surprise why gardening and farming has become a big passion of mine. Not only do I enjoy being outside, getting my hands dirty giving plants care and attention, and the sight of beautiful flowers but I want to keep my family tradition of farming going. I want to be able to sustain for myself and family, but of course the land we live on. This summer my reading consisted of organic gardening resources, and Third Plate, which has given me a greater knowledge and awareness of where the foods we eat come from. I’ve become greatly interested in learning as much that I can, because it makes me happy, curious, and fulfilled and it’s something I see as part of my future.  Now as the days become cooler, I’ve gathered herbs to dry for spices and tea, and replanted favorites to have indoors. These months of gardening have taught me a lot, and have already inspired me for next year’s. Here are just a few photos of my garden… The leaves may turn, fall to the ground covered in snow for months, but then they return bringing life to the world once again.