It's ALIVE!

Ben and I started planning our garden about a month ago. We were lucky enough to stumble on City Farmers . A visit to City Farmers is akin to stepping into an alternate universe. Not only is it a little piece of green paradise right on Home Avenue in San Diego, but each person that works there is a pretty interesting character! In order to figure out what we needed to start out, we took a bag of our dirt in for inspection. Bill, the owner actually took a chunk out of the bag and TASTED it! Maybe you seasoned gardeners out there think this is completely normal behavior, but it certainly shocked us and we both struggled to suppress a giggle. I asked him what it tasted like and with a straight face he replied "salty". After this extensive taste analysis he recommended a mix of compost, gypsum, sulfur and fertilizer. Next, onto what to plant or what we want to eat (we hope). They offer a pretty good selection of vegetable plants and and huge variety of seeds. I was excited to see that City Farmers offers Seeds of Change, a certified organic seed company that I remembered reading about. To give you an idea of why they're special, here is their mission statement:

Many of our varieties represent decades, even centuries, of cultures from around the world who have saved their favorite, most flavorful and nutritious plants. Conserving this invaluable genetic resource, while contributing to the knowledge of sustainable organic agriculture and gardening techniques, is central to the mission of Seeds of Change.

So back home we go and Ben attacks the rocky dirt with a pick axe and a vengeance. After a few days of tearing it apart, and then lovingly blending all of the proper elements for superior growth and flavor, we commence with the planting. Zucchini, Yellow Crook Neck Squash, Sugar Snap Peas, Dragon Carrots, Habanero Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, 6 different Herbs and Ben's babies, Oaxacan Pink and Heirloom Bradywine Tomatoes.


Ben started the tomatoes from seed in little pots and waited until they were about 3 inches tall to plant. I started the peas and carrots from seed directly in the garden and after almost 2 weeks Ta Da! These are the sugar snap peas that have struggled their way up through the soil to seek out the glorious sun! A few carrots have made it through as well so I'm very excited. I tried growing carrots in my first garden back in the day but sadly, they never saw the light. Now I feel as though my gardening karma has been restored!

* Since I know you are wondering, the fabulous yellow suspenders that Farmer Bill is wearing can be purchased just by visiting City Farmers in person.