Why do you Garden?

I'm curious, especially about the people on this particular board, to find out what possesses one to try to grow their own vegetables. This board, in particular, because most of the people that contribute here seem knowledgeable about food and appreciate how it should taste. It seems that there is a keen interest in eating locally or at least perusing the farmer's markets or subscribing to a CSA. There also seems to be an interest in sourcing the best ingredients. So, why would you go down this gardening path?

Is it a hobby? Possibly a way to experiment and try to grow exotic varieties? Is it pure food production - a way to supplement your grocery bill? Financial? Is it political - your version of "sticking it to the (grocery/big ag) man?" Are you trying to "go green."

For me, my garden is purely an extension of my kitchen. I try varieties that work well in our climate and want the highest yields I can get. It's about efficiency and success - thus limiting the risks as much as possible. It's not a hobby for me, rather an interest to see how well I can come close to having a sustainable, local resource steps away from my kitchen.

I'm interested to hear what the group thinks...

Most of my gardening efforts go into tomatoes. Even though I can get pretty good tomatoes at the farmer's market, there is something about one that is picked moments before eating or cooking that is an order of magnitude more enjoyable. It is a combination of the superior flavor and the care that goes into planting and caring. I also enjoy selecting new and old varieties that are usually not available at retail.

Is it pure food production - a way to supplement your grocery bill? Financial?

Hardly...It is my first year of growing and I think my broccoli will come out to be about $30/lb after all is said and done.

My drive is to see how much better my veggies will taste as compared to those that are bought at the grocery store. Having not had a garden since being a kid 30+ years ago, I felt that it was time to expose my children to the joy/work of "working the land". I can't wait to go down to my community garden plot (Naperville) and pick the first veggie and bring it home.....

If/When we get any veggies, will be the sign if I am successful...

While my garden consists solely of a long row of pots across my balcony, two deep in places, my reason is pretty much the final one you give -- have a local resource steps from my kitchen. I used to hesitate to use fresh herbs, in particular, because one had to go to the store or market, and then packets were always either too small to be cost effective or held so much that at least half would spoil before it was used. Now, I step onto the balcony and snip a few sprigs or grab a few leaves, or even a handful of leaves, and I'm good to go.

I also do it because I find endless delight in the miracle of growth. I put a little starter onion in the ground, add water, and I not only get a large plant with a lovely flower, I get all these other onions. How cool is that?

And it's also fun to have pansies or lavender to garnish a plate, when one is so inclined.

So I guess I'd say I garden because it's convenient, cost-effective, and simply wonderful.

when I resume gardening next year, I didnt plant a garden at our house when we moved out here due to the poor city water quality, ( the new filtration plant will be done by the start of the next growing season),& I wasnt going to grow a garden, and water it with possibly dangerous water. It is all about enjoying a hobby I have enjoyed since I was a child, nothing else.

I also think it will be a good hobby to pass along to my daughter that goes hand in hand with the cooking I hope she can pick-up from me.

For me the interest is in the process...I don't know why! I like to plant,harvest, and gather.

jimswside wrote:when I resume gardening next year, I didnt plant a garden at our house when we moved out here due to the poor city water quality, ( the new filtration plant will be done by the start of the next growing season),& I wasnt going to grow a garden, and water it with possibly dangerous water.

I find that this is often an overlooked variable. Even the average green garden hose isn't safe for drinking water. When watering, I use a white "marine" or "RV" hose, since it's perfectly safe for drinking water. I'm not sure if it makes that big of a difference but if I go out of my way to start from seed, use an organic growing medium, organic fertilizer, and organic pest control, I'd at least want the water to be safe.

tyrus wrote:I find that this is often an overlooked variable. Even the average green garden hose isn't safe for drinking water. When watering, I use a white "marine" or "RV" hose, since it's perfectly safe for drinking water. I'm not sure if it makes that big of a difference but if I go out of my way to start from seed, use an organic growing medium, organic fertilizer, and organic pest control, I'd at least want the water to be safe.

Good ideas and options for the hose,

our problem is our cities water has tested high for radium in the past, the new filtration plant is supposed to fix that. Right now all I can eat is the wild raspberries, and blackberries that only get rain water, that is if I can beat the turkeys, and deer to them.

Guy Clark wrote:There's nothin' in the world that I like better than
Bacon, lettuce and home grown tomatoes
Up in the morning and out in the garden
Pick you a ripe one, don't get a hard 'un
Plant 'em in the springtime eat 'em in the summer
All winter without 'em's a culinary bummer
I forget all about the sweatin' and the diggin'
Every time I go out and pick me a big'un

Home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes
What'd life be without home grown tomatoes
There's only two things that money can't buy
That's true love and home grown tomatoes

Other reasons: Ripe tomatillos make a sweeter, more complex salsa. The ones in the store are green because they're not ripe. When ripe they're buff or purple (depending on the variety). Jalapenos from grocery stores are what I call Jala-Yo's -- no pain. A nice hot summer will stress the plant to produce more capsaicin.

It's funny - I admit I'm having pangs for my old garden plot. Though I've expanded my kitchen garden a bit and am experimenting with container gardens, I miss sitting in the open and digging in the dirt. I used to sing while I did it, which seems a bit silly when I'm between two large buildings (but, yes, seemed not at all odd at the large garden - to me, at least.)

I do an ornamental garden in the front of my house (the one where I'm now experimenting with edibles.) There, I enjoy gardening for its own sake, especially with perennials: the plants have a lot to teach you about their likes and dislikes and about patiently waiting for results. You don't really get the same thing from vegetable gardening, unless you're doing fruit or berries - making and revising plans for two or three summers in the future.

I do love the ability to walk out my back door and pick something for dinner, though - which was what was missing from the rental plot. My plot is pretty well shaded, though, so I'm not very hopeful about the results - especially with the weather we've been having.

Some very interesting responses. I wonder how many are those that Tyrus would have predicted?

When I was three, my grandfather bought me child size tools - spade, hoe, etc. They were copper-colored, I remember. He did most of the work, I'm sure, though I remember being very serious about helping. I don't remember the specifics, but the tenor of it. The love of being with him, the wonder at how things worked, the joy of seeing those little seeds turn into something wondrous. I had my own garden for my whole childhood; he had the very large kitchen garden that he worked in every day, without fail. I had a small mostly flower garden. When I was older and had proven basic skills, I was allowed to help in the main garden. His philosophy was what we'd call organic today. Long before it was a household word or Whole Foods was marketing it, he was using manure from the farm and paying neighbor children to bring rat and gardener snakes. To me, that is a part of what gardening is, being a good steward of the earth.

I don't know that I can articulate what gardening is to me; certainly I cannot in a few words. Whether I'm in containers or the ground, indoors or out, vegetables, trees, or flowers, annuals or perennials, it's all good.

It's still about wonder. As Cynthia said, put that seed or onion set or potato eye in the ground and in a few days, weeks, and months? Holy cow! It's also about being outside in nature. The earth, the rain, the birds, the worms, the sun, the bees, the spiders and snakes and predator wasps all doing what they do, working in concert to create order and balance. It's about sharing abundance with others and about community. I don't sing like Michelle, but being in the garden does something good to my brain - it balances me, making me happy and content. It's hard work at times, but always good work.

But, the emotional aside, it's also about having things close to home. Again, Cynthia and I are on a similar wavelength - I rarely would spring for fresh herbs at the grocery because of the price and waste factor. But, having fresh herbs to grab in any amount at any time? That's worth a lot. Variety is also extremely important. Each year I try at least a few new things I've not tried - whether a completely new plant (I'd never grown lettuce or Asian greens until this year) or a new variety (this year it's an okra I haven't tried before and two tomato types that are new to me). Each winter, with the snow on the ground, it's exciting to start reading catalog descriptions and decide what stuff I'll try this coming year. I am always searching for exquisite taste, particularly in tomatoes, but in other things, too. There are some things that just can't be matched in any grocery store. I might get some of them at a market, but I rarely find myself able to get to one based on how my schedule works. And, even if I did, it isn't the same as having grown it and picked it yourself. There is something extremely self satisfying about making dinner and using things you grew.

Happy gardening everyone, for whatever reason you do it.

I started a small deck container garden this year and I didn't grow up with gardening experience when I was little either. I did it this year, encouraged by others' success on this board, out of envy really that one can produce fresh herbs/veggies right outside of your garden. Now, it's a way of relaxation. Every morning when I wake up, I take a peek at the progress. It's a simple joy of production/accomplishment. Rather like a child's project.

Because there is nothing like working the dirt, watching something you plant grow and turn into an edible product.

Because I can teach my toddler about where food comes from and a love for the earth.

I just enjoy trying new varities of food that you can't easily find from the grocery store.

It is relaxing, we have a nice sunny yard and why not- we bought this house so that we could garden!

There's only one reason I do gardening- Taste. You won't find many of these varieties in your grocery store. That's all the more reason to make room for growing some heirloom vegetables in your own vegetable.

I grew up with a garden.

There is nothing like fresh peas straight out of the garden.

or strawberries, or raspberries, or tomatoes, or carrots (however, unlike Scarlett, I wash the carrots first.)

Until lately, I could not find gooseberries in stores.

Have you seen the price of gooseberries in stores? Organic fresh raspberries? rhubarb?
asparagus? My goodness, I can't pay those prices for things that grow like weeds. My grandparents would turn over in their graves.

However, I will readily admit Deer Creek Organics at our local farmer's market do a better job. I'm going to up my game 2010 and get me some row covers and become otherwise more aggressive and organic in my pest and disease control. I've been lax in improving the soil too -- that is going to take a couple years to get to where I want it.

My gardening has been casual (neglectful), but I'm already already reading about how to handle some problems I've been having so I can be much more serious 2010 and 2011.

Sometimes I like to eat more than I like to garden, but I have become inspired by some serious local gardeners and farmers who have much more awesome produce than me.

Right now (December, of course) I want to garden out of envy and a unfortunate competitive streak.

Something about growing food my own food and eating it makes me feel more vital.

I garden because, among other things, I can walk outside my kitchen door on December 2nd (in Chicagoland) and pick fresh vegetables then pack them for lunch. Today I pulled two carrots and cut a bunch of celery. I still have beets, parsnips, carrots, some brussel sprouts, and celery in the ground. Some herbs are growing and will get picked tonight or tomorrow morning.

Root vegetables keep quite well in the ground until we get a long period of freezing weather. Most of us have forgotten what "seasonal" really means and that celery is "in season" in late fall. I think parsnips get sweeter with the cool weather and nothing beats a just plucked carrot.

As above, having a garden, and harvesting in December, is great. I got a cold frame this year, and had some difficulty in doing 2 seasonal plantings. At least I will get some parsley and arugula for awhile. I think the leeks will last till Christmas, when I make vichyssoise fresh.

Some things, like leeks, can be grown at a cost that beats what one will pay at a market. Likewise most herbs. Other things, like green beans, simply taste so much better than anything from the market. And some things, like fresh squash or pumpkin blossoms never show up in the market.

There is nothing quite like picking vegetables fresh out of your own garden. A well planned garden can provide abundant veggies in the producing seasons and allows you to put away the extras for the winter time. Vegetable gardening is a skill that can be learned, and through practice you will get better.
Vegetable Gardening is especially important given the current state of the economy. You can save a lot of money growing your own vegetables, not to mention the health benefit comes with it. But Gardening is also a learned skill, talk to your fellow gardeners and get tips from people, and then practice them in your own garden. Gardening is also fun. So, get ready and happy gardening!

It was great getting out today and doing some maintenance, planning, repair, and inventory of the front garden (the non-container model), as it's the first time I've been able to since last November, do to a lot of pre-surgical mobility issues. The new bulbs are blasting through at a startling pace, and I noted that the rue, Shasta daisies, and yarrow have made it though unscathed, the efforts of the Chicago Dept of Transportation's efforts to destroy everything notwithstanding. They did destroy my herbs for the most part - even the two huge mint patches, unbelievably! - as well as my 'Sarah Bernhardt' peonies. Grrrr.

But all things considered, it was a great afternoon. Talked to a neighbor with whom I'd never conversed, renewed an old acquaintance with another neighbor, and basked in some unsolicited compliments about last year's effort. The shop talk is a big part of any gardener's enjoyment, I think, particularly those of us who concentrate on the flower side of things.

Growing up my Mom was always the gardener (flower garden), I got the unexciting task of being the weed puller. So after I moved out I took pride in not having ANYTHING other than grass, and I don’t even have to mow it because the lawn crew does…. . Last year, my Mom was dying of cancer (she lost the battle June 8th) and before she died, I decided to plant some EarthBoxes to honor her because I knew she’d get a big kick out of it. She thought it was a real “hoot” after all the fights we got into over her garden. I really wish she could have seen them…..I know she would have made some kind of “Geek” comment because I went high tech (I’m an IT guy with 15 computers at home)…. No weeding….Woo Hoo.
This year I want to do it partially for her, to have a small piece of her in my back yard, but I also want to do it because last year was such a terrible season and I want to prove to myself I can do it.

MikeW665 wrote:Growing up my Mom was always the gardener (flower garden), I got the unexciting task of being the weed puller. So after I moved out I took pride in not having ANYTHING other than grass, and I don’t even have to mow it because the lawn crew does…. . Last year, my Mom was dying of cancer (she lost the battle June 8th) and before she died, I decided to plant some EarthBoxes to honor her because I knew she’d get a big kick out of it. She thought it was a real “hoot” after all the fights we got into over her garden. I really wish she could have seen them…..I know she would have made some kind of “Geek” comment because I went high tech (I’m an IT guy with 15 computers at home)…. No weeding….Woo Hoo.
This year I want to do it partially for her, to have a small piece of her in my back yard, but I also want to do it because last year was such a terrible season and I want to prove to myself I can do it.

Lovely story, Mike. I'm looking forward to seeing your results.

I think my active gardening days are probably over, but I did it mostly for the results -- I enjoyed being able to get just-picked produce in varieties I wasn't able to buy.

Recreation and the ability to get somewhat more exotic varieties of vegetables, really fresh. These are the obvious reasons for gardening, and they are my main motivation for sticking a shovel in the soil every spring.

One intangible benefit, though, is that working food out of the land instills in the gardener a sense of just what kind of care and effort is required to bring forth the edible from the earth. This is a humbling and healthy perspective to maintain. Food in this country is still pretty cheap, taking a relatively small percentage of our paychecks, and many on this board (myself included, obviously) tend to eat a little more food than we need because we can afford it and because it’s so available (and guided by this community, frequently so delicious). The relatively low cost of food may tend to influence our thinking about it, causing us to undervalue it or take it for granted. When you’re involved in creating food, however, even on the small scale that many of us are, even if it’s only a garden box with a few herbs and maybe a tomato plant, you can’t but appreciate the miracle more.

There is something miraculous in poking some tiny seeds into a pot of dirt and watching them turn, in a few short months, into 6-foot-tall plants dripping with ripe tomatoes.

LAZ wrote:There is something miraculous in poking some tiny seeds into a pot of dirt and watching them turn, in a few short months, into 6-foot-tall plants dripping with ripe tomatoes.

My husband is always looking at what I'm growing and saying, "OK, how did that happen???? It was just a tiny seed a few [insert time frame] ago."

It is miraculous, isn't it? The wonder at it (even though I intellectually understand how it works) gets me every time those little sprouts pop through the soil, all the way to when I'm eating the resulting food.

Good question. Everyone in my family has always gardened and grown fruit and or vegetables from my grandparents on down. Just the thing to do if you have a place, plot or even just a pot. My mother who is 83 and walks with a walker even plants pots on her balcony in the summer. Just always has. Don't have a big garden but a few tomato plants, some peas, basil, chives, cukes, etc. If I had more time I'd grow more. On my retirement to do list.

I like feedback. There's nothing like my very first efforts this season (thanks in large part to you tyrus & the folks you introduced me to) to make me want more. All of my seeds died except 2. They are struggling but coming through.

All of the heirloom seedlings I've already planted in the Earthboxes are mounting a campaign to be the biggest things ever. Tatsoi, kales, lettuces my dog is completely enamored. She's like a small kid sprinting all the way to the top deck to take a look & sniff at all of the green plants. It just makes all of us smile.

The greens are tasting fantastic as well. There's something very cool about walking out onto the deck w/ a small bowl & some scissors & a few moments later eating a salad with greens you grew yourself.

pairs4life wrote: The greens are tasting fantastic as well. There's something very cool about walking out onto the deck w/ a small bowl & some scissors & a few moments later eating a salad with greens you grew yourself.

I love this part, too - but we have to remember not to brush the dogs on the back porch, last time I used the sage it came with a very hard-to-remove coat.

Although everybody in the Midwest tries to grow tomatoes, there are all kinds of very simple crops that even a brown thumb can get benefits from: if you don't have the sun for tomatoes, grow lettuces and greens! Beans can be pretty easy (depending on the specific bean and on whether the bean beetles have found you yet) and peas even more so - as long as they get a headstart before birds and rabbits eat them. Though last year was quite frustrating, most of my herbs survived just fine, and we had terrific salads all summer.