Growing Tomatoes and Peppers: Your Garden to Kitchen Journey
Today, we started our patio garden and will be transferring some to our community garden, again and are super excited. My son really enjoys it. Today, we planted the seeds for our peppers and tomatoes. Next week, we will focus on cucumber, pumpkins, carrots, corn, and onions.
Our goal is to provide our family and close friends with access to fresh, homegrown vegetables. I've been exploring various resources, including books and videos, that showcase families who enjoy bringing vegetables from their gardens directly to their dining tables. This concept truly resonates with me, and I'm eager to replicate that experience in our own lives.
Once we relocate, I plan to cultivate various herbs and possibly some peppers, which are staple ingredients in my daily cooking. Having them readily available would enhance our meals and encourage healthier eating habits.
Our space will be part of a more extensive communal garden on a substantial land. When we signed the lease agreement for this space, we committed not to sell any of the produce we grow. This restriction gives me peace of mind since it means our efforts will be focused on sharing rather than commercializing our harvest.
Given that my household is relatively small, I anticipate we will have an abundance of vegetables. This surplus excites me because Jacksonville is home to many food deserts, with limited access to fresh and nutritious food. By sharing our surplus produce with those in need, we can make a meaningful contribution to our community, helping to provide fresh, healthy food options for families who might otherwise struggle to find them.
I'm looking forward to growing a variety of fresh vegetables and fostering connections within our community through sharing.
What is a community garden?
Ultimately, I plan to purchase a sprawling piece of land to build my dream home, cultivate a vast garden, and even keep a few chickens wandering about. It may sound a bit unconventional, but something is soothing and essential about this idea, especially in today's fast-paced world. To be clear, I'm not looking to run a traditional farm with large livestock like cows or goats; my heart is set on creating a vibrant garden oasis.
I find myself inspired by figures like Dreka Gates, Kelis, Martha Stewart, and Kathy Hilton, all while channeling a bit of the nurturing spirit reminiscent of Baby Boy's mom. Since turning 40, I've noticed a shift in what truly matters to me, but that's a discussion for another blog post, LOL.
Now, let's circle back to the garden—I'm eager to gather some advice! What are some easy vegetables to cultivate? I absolutely love diving into the gardening scene on YouTube, where I'm inspired by the sheer number of Black women who are thriving in this field. It's truly remarkable to see so many Black families embracing farm life and making it a lucrative venture. The connection to nature and the joy of growing your food feels like a revival that I want to be a part of!
If you live in a condo or your homeowner's association prohibits gardening, I highly recommend looking for a community garden in your area. This concept was completely new to me until I started chatting with a coworker who shares my passion for gardening. During our conversation, I expressed my excitement about eventually moving into a house with a backyard where I could cultivate my own plants. To my surprise, she introduced me to the idea of community gardens, which I had never heard of before.
She generously provided me with the contact details of the community garden where she had secured a plot. However, I didn't take action until March 2024, when I finally reached out to the coordinator. It wasn't until October 2024 that I committed to my lease and made the payment. After months of anticipation, I'm thrilled to say that we are finally ready to start planting!
