2013

• In the fall my friend Cathleen gives me a butternut squash from her garden.

2015

• My roommate in Montpellier has several mint plants (and other greenery) out on the patio. While she’s gone for a week I’m on watering duty.

• Definitely inspired by my roommate, partway through my 2-month stay I buy a basil plant from the grocery store, which lives on the patio among the others.

2016

• My roommate Pascal in Montpellier has an organic garden growing in the front yard.

• A few months into my stay I buy a basil plant and keep it out the kitchen window. Fresh basil all summer long!

2017

• March – For two weeks I work on a small farm in Dozza, Italy in exchange for food and accommodation (via HelpX). They had a large garden in the front yard. During my stay I planted peas and salad, transplanted strawberries and garlic, and weeded. It was very enjoyable, and I started thinking about potentially planting my own garden at my parents’ home this summer…

• April – At the end of the month, upon returning back to Wisconsin, I buy seeds, rototill a chunk of the backyard, and plant my very first garden.

• June – Some of the lettuce flowers, so I learn what that means and why you want to prevent it from happening, if possible.

• August – After eating tons of green beans in July, this month my carrots, cucumbers, and a few beets are ready to eat. Kale is still very strong. All of the vegetables taste incredible!

• Late August – The cucumbers are really taking over and growing well. I learn that two cucumber plants are more than enough for my next garden (I planted 3-4 this year), and that they need much more space than I gave them.

2019

• May – Returning to my parents’ home mid-month, one afternoon I make a quick above-ground planter using scrap wood, a few nails, and a hammer. Then I plant a variety of lettuce and kale from a seed packet I bought at the local hardware store.

• In smaller planters, I plant basil, oregano, lavender, cilantro, green onion, and chives. I love watching them grow over the summer, and hopping outside to cut fresh herbs while cooking.
• Partway through the summer I get some free tomato plants from a neighbor, and grow those as well.