About two years ago I took a canning class at a community center here in Arlington. While I was there I met a couple who were learning to can so they could preserve the harvest from their garden. I learned that they were the managers of the community garden that sits just across the street from my townhouse. I had seen it before and wondered at times how one would get a plot in there, but I had also heard that there is a long waiting list for it. I asked Scott and Debra several questions about the plots and what it would take to get on the list and they encouraged me to fill out an application, and so I did. I put my name on the waiting list. I never heard anything. Last year came and went and I honestly didn't think too much of it, but back in January I started thinking about the garden plots across the street and wondered how far in advance would they let me know that I would have a plot that year. Did they still have my application on file? Did they ever get my application? What if it got lost and I was waiting in vain? All of these questions went through my mind. I had even looked up their number to call them, but I kept forgetting to do it on my lunch break and they were closed by the time I got home from work. Then on February 18th (President's Day), I got an email stating that there was a garden plot available for me and that if I was still interested to contact them immediately. I immediately wrote them back and said that I would love to have a plot! I began dreaming about my beautiful garden and the amazing harvest I was going to have. I started reading about gardening and researching what to plant and when. I ordered a book online and had it rushed to me so I could begin my preparations. I didn't want to waste any time getting started! I told everybody about my garden. People would ask, "what's new?" and instead of my usual answer of "nothing", I would say, "I just got a garden plot across the street from my house, I'm so excited!" I'm sure some people thought I was crazy!
I met with Scott the following Wednesday and he gave me a tour of the garden and showed me a couple of available plots. After I chose what I thought was the best one, I started mapping out what I was going to plant and where on my plot each one would go. The person before me left a rosemary bush, two lavender plants, sage, and a bay leaf tree (if you would like any of these herbs, please let me know, there is way more than I will ever use). She also left behind some strawberry and raspberry plants in the corner.
I bought some seeds and started planting some of them indoors, which I will move to my garden when it gets a little warmer. So far I have planted basil, lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers. I planted these seedlings in little paper dixie cups, but after a short while I noticed mold growing on the bottoms and up the sides of them and the paper was really soggy. I replanted them in an old apple container from Costco, I just poked a bunch of holes in the bottom of it. They seem to be doing quite well. I just love watching them grow, I am a very proud parent! :)
Last Saturday I spent over six hours digging up my garden. It was completely grown over with weeds. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed every minute of it! I love having a project to work on. It would have been nice if my dad and his tiller were out here, but me and the pitchfork did a pretty good job getting the weeds out and the soil turned. I spent another hour or so out there yesterday while it wasn't raining, doing some more digging, it's almost finished. I planted some peas and spinach in my garden, since they are spring plants and they like the colder weather I thought I'd better get them started. I hope they do well! Wish me luck!
