The beginning of it all...

My freshly tilled garden is ready!!

   On April 16th, I received a freshly tilled plot. As I walked around in delight, I began imagining what Thyme with Tomatoes would come to be. I tested the soil with pH strips that were given to me by a friend.

   The soil tested slightly acidic...but did I use the correct strips? I will talk about that in my upcoming blog. I have to admit that I was extremely excited and a little impatient; I wanted to plant everything now!! Trying to be thrifty and hoping the soil was at the proper pH balance and fertility, I went ahead and planted my sprouts.

  Several weeks ago, I designed a layout of the soon-to-be garden with the help of a companion garden chart that I found from unclelukes.com. But after looking around the garden, I changed it slightly. I lined the entire garden with marigolds, petunias, and borage. Research shows that these flowers deter certain pests. Hey, if it doesn't work it'll at least be pretty. I planted the tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers that I previously sprouted. The tomatoes were planted on the far left side of my garden, while the corn was planted on the far right side. Supposedly tomatoes and corn share the same pest and are companion garden "enemies." My cucumbers, zucchini, melons, and pumpkins were planted in the middle with room for the melons and pumpkins to vine out and grow. I have always wanted to plant and harvest my own pumpkins for Halloween. I mean...how cool?!
   As a newbie to the world of gardening, it didn't take long for me to feel the effects of the afternoon sun. I'll be coming back in the early mornings, or late evenings, from now on! I continued to plant more seeds and decided to call it a day. I lightly watered the seeds, thanks to the community garden so graciously providing free water. Fortunately, the forecast called for rain all week. Little did I know what was to come...

Can't wait for these goodies to be ready!!

The zucchini and cucumbers are in the ground!

My next blog will be about what unexpectedly happens when it rains off and on for nearly two weeks!! Surprises, surprises!!!

Starting a Sustainable Garden in the City...

 Is it possible to have a sustainable garden with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables in the city? Let's find out...

   There is a wonderful community garden in Memphis, TN. Every year, people are allowed to partake in the marvelous tradition of summer gardening. Having my own garden has always been a dream of mine, but apartment life doesn't allow such a fantasy. I signed up for a 25' x 100' plot and waited.
   On April 2nd, I was ecstatic when I received the call with my plot number...MY plot number to MY garden!! The minute I found out the news, I began planning the wondrous opportunities of my garden. As an Environmental Nutrition student, it was quite a bonus to find out this garden would also be my intern project for my grad class! I could implement everything I have been learning in my classes, and embark on a journey of sustainable nutrition. 
   As I waited for the plot to be tilled and the magic day of April 15th (the date after Tennessee's last frost), I began planting some of my seeds indoors. I had already purchased a Survival Garden pack of non-gmo seeds from Amazon for a reasonable price. (No genetically modified seeds in my garden!) On April 6th, the seeds were planted in a starter kit. After only a week, my tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini were taking off! These guys were ready for "Thyme for Tomatoes." Yes, I had already picked out a name for my garden.

....And then it happened...I received a call that my plot was ready!!!

My next blog will be about the day my plot was ready, and the next steps that were taken. I will test the soil, and plant seeds and sprouts according to my layout. Thankfully I have an amazing partner, Naomi, who will assist me in times of need (or possible nervous breakdowns lol). 

Naomi and I have our work cut out for us!