Urban Garden

My reading genre is still heavily food/restaurant oriented.  Somewhere after reading Omnivore's Dilemma, Animal Vegetable Miracle, Soul of a Chef and watching Food Inc., I decided we needed to get back to our farming roots (they run deep on both sides of the family - something we have never really cared to embrace before).  Unfortunately, I am not a green thumb - or any thumb - and our plot of land consists mainly of our driveway space, where our car is usually parked.  My previous gardening forays have involved herbs in the window sill.  Which I buy every now and then.  I keep them until they dry out and die a few weeks later and then buy more, or just put the pots away.   I am glad to have saved most of the pots - taking up precious space in our condo, but saving me extra $ every time I get the urge to "garden".

I decided to do a "pizza garden" with the girls.  Grow tomatoes, basil, peppers & onions.   We planted the seeds on the counter weeks ago...apparently about 5 weeks too late though - thanks for that tip, Dad.  Would have been good to know 5 weeks ago.  We searched for a half barrel to use as the entire garden.  My gosh these things are expensive!  It reminds me of the book "The $64 Tomato" - which I haven't read, but pick up every time and ponder how much my tomatoes will cost, if I ever get one.  After expiring my options at Mahoneys, Home  Depot, etc., I happened on this barrel in the Christmas Tree Shop window and had to stop...real cedar and only $16.99 - about 1/10th of the other prices we saw.  Sold!

But, I am a gardener now, and my patch of driveway does not have "full sunlight".  So by golly, my pizza garden will.  I enlist Ben to buy casters to put on the barrel so I can wheel it around the driveway for maximum light.  You know, the 1 or 2 days a week I am actually not at my office during the day (i.e. weekends).

I KNOW this pot is too small for all my plantings, which is why my tomatoes will go in my new Topsy Turvey tomato planter!  Which by the way, in case any of you get inspired, does NOT come with any tomato plants.  You have to buy them separately.  And they have to be about 10 times the size of the seedlings I have had taking up my counter space for the last 8 weeks.  Since I needed instant gratification I bought 2 mature tomato seedling plants from Home Depot - heirlooms no less, to put in the planter.  We also bought a big bag of organic soil and the Topsey Turvey at Home Depot.   Good thing seeds are cheap...but it can't be efficient to buy everything twice.

Thus far the novelty has not worn off.  We are at least still watering.  I haven't moved the barrel around but once (a 180 rotation) in 2 weeks.  If you have any urban gardening tips for me - comment away.  I need real basic info (when, where how to buy/plant/tend) - I do not know what I am doing and will not likely ask for help.  I realize 10 plants in a 2 ft diameter tub is not likely to work out, but who knows.  This is my maiden year.  The learning curve might be high, but the tomatoes might be sweet!  And I think so far, I am up to about a $48 tomato.

(PS - I'll have to add pics back here for you to see the seedlings while still lush.)