How does your garden grow?

When we were looking for houses last spring, one of the “must haves” on our list was a backyard big enough for Miyuki and a decent food garden. We moved in mid-summer so planting wasn’t an option but now that spring is around the corner, I’ve been giving some thought on how to approach this.

For one, I know jack about gardening. My dad had a vegetable garden for a bit during my childhood and I don’t remember much about it other than a bumper crop of tomatoes. So I really have no idea where to start. Secondly, our back lot was cleared over the summer but since then, lots of wild grass and weeds have grown in everywhere. Our back yard is huge but unfinished and I want to get it decent looking and safe for TLE to play in once she’s a toddler. I was so excited about the idea of a food garden but now the idea is daunting.

Still, I’m determined to have one but am hoping not to over extend myself and fail at this experiment. I’m hoping to have an herb garden with two types of basil (Italian and Thai), red perilla, mint, shungiku (chrysanthemum greens) and mizuna. These are all herbs that we eat on a regular basis and I’d much rather walk outside to get them than to go across town to pick up some sad looking greens from the market. I’m also planning on planting some cherry tomatoes. I love heirlooms but I don’t know if my gardening n00blet self should be trusted with such produce. Another green that I’m hoping to raise is wild betel leaves or la lot. Because, yes, I love that beef wrapped in la lot leaves dish so much. It’s not an easy herb to find and I’ve only ever seen it in ONE supermarket in the San Jose area so it will be interesting to see if I can even find seeds at all much less start them and raise them to maturity.

My dad offered to buy (and plant) some fruit trees as well. I know that I want a Meyer lemon tree. For one, they’re small and grow well in pots so I don’t have to worry about transferring. Plus I love the idea of having that sweet lemon as lemonade during the summer and making Meyer lemon curd and bread and…. oooh the possibilities. Mmm, nummy. I’ll probably also ask my dad if he can buy me a rainier cherry tree and a peach tree. I love cherries and peaches and they have such pretty blossoms.

Hopefully I’ll be able to do this. I need to read up and ask local nurseries if some of the greens I’d like are even possible!

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