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I watched a CNN special one evening a while back and they were asking children questions about various things. Where does food come from? The store was the reply. Where does the store get the food? They make it there. I found that to be beyond sad and actually very disheartening.
Right now, today there is a trend which is sweeping this nation. It is a good trend and one that is long over due. More and more gardeners are using the space they have in their gardens to grow their own food. Whether it be herbs, tomatoes, peas or potatoes, there is a renewed vigor to grow our own.
Organic and all natural are words that one encounters more often than not. We WANT to be healthier and we WANT to experience the goodness and immense satisfaction from growing something ourselves. It gives me so much pleasure that in these days of becoming more environmental and health conscious so many are returning to the older days of gardening. Move over ornamentals, we have some veggies to grow!
When I lived in the UK, I did not know one single person who had a garden that didn't have some sort of food item growing. More often than not, tomatoes were the crop of choice. I got caught up in the spirit of a kitchen garden as well and my plot was wonderful. I had courgettes (that's zucchini for us Americans), pumpkins, peas, beans, turnips, carrots, strawberries and so much more. I also had a complete herb garden. I rarely had to buy fruit and veg at the supermarket. I took pleasure in growing my own.
Here in Arizona, I can grow many of the things I once did but at different times of year. I am praying for a second crop of tomatoes come late autumn. I am also praying the yield was greater than my first attempt. There is an art and methodology to growing tomatoes here. I just need to figure it all out.
So what prompted this article? A watermelon. Yep, I cut into and enjoyed my very own melon today. Watermelons do well here and I can say right here and now this melon was the juiciest, sweetest melon I have ever had the pleasure of eating. I harvested the melon yesterday and I held it with pride. What a healthy, heavy, perfect melon you are! I said aloud. I took it in and set in the fridge. Today during lunch we ceremoniously cut it in half to reveal this wonderful piece of perfection hand grown by me. The way I carried on you would think I was the first person in the world to ever cultivate a watermelon in a garden!
Though it may not seem it this IS a big deal. We typically don't grow our own food. That's a shame really if you think about it. So, let me pose the questions to all who read this. Are you growing your own fruit or veg? If not, do you want to? Go on then. Pick yourself out a spot and ear mark it for a kitchen garden. Do a bit of reading here at Dave's and consult the forums about growing veggies, etc. There is a Beginner Vegetables Discussion forum for all those that want to grow something but don't quite know where to start. No matter where you live in the world you can grow some type of food. Why not get started today? You will not experience anything more satisfying or delicious then something hand grown by you.
PS: If you have the room, the warm days of summer extend to at least three months, and you want to grow a watermelon, I'll give you some seeds! Just D-mail me and I'll send you seeds from the fruit I spoke about in this article. These are not the big melons but the smaller roundish ones. They pack some great flavor despite their size though!
About Benjamin Hill
I am an old fashioned gardener. To me nothing is finer than the romantic cottage gardens. The colours and forms create a symphony to delight all the senses. I love to tell a good story and my garden provides my inspiration. I am blessed to have such a beautiful son and I enjoy teaching him to love and appreciate the goodness, peace and fulfillment tending a garden can bring. Finally, I shall be forever grateful to Alan Titchmarsh for inspiring me to get out there and make something out of a little bit of earth.
Posted by geegadwah76 (from Farmington, NM) on August 07, 2008 at 05:11 PM:
Hi Benjamin,
I planted a garden this year, my first in many years. I planted some watermelon and cantaloupe. Can you tell me the best way to help support the watermelon vines? Some grass or a weed pops up and the watrermelon vine has been attaching itself to those, so now I'm afraid to pull them. Any advice? Thanks. Your melon looks great.
Sheron
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 07, 2008 at 10:42 PM:
Hi there Sheron,
I don't actually support them. I set aside a 4' square area to grow them and they of course covered that area and then some. I have a terraced garden at this house. Not my design but that of the subdevelopment. The melons are at the top and they managaed to get down to the second level. If left unchecked I would imagine they would take over the whole garden. I disconnected the vines from the plants they were attatching themselves too and let them grow on top of each other. I have 4 more melons that should be ready for harvest very soon. I thing that will be it for the season. 5 melons isn't bad!
Thank you for the compliments and if you need any advice or anything, drop me a D-Mail any time.
All the very best
Ben
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Subject: KILLING FIRE ANTS THE SAFE WAY
Posted by JIMBO9510 (from Houston, TX) on August 05, 2008 at 07:48 PM:
I HAVE A 52 ACRE FARM IN TEXAS AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THE GRANDKIDS COME I LOOK FOR THE ANT PILES AND SPRINKLE A GOOD HELPING OF INSTANT GRITS AROUND THE MOUND. BOOM THEY DIE AND THE LAND IS SAFE FOR THE KIDS TO PLAY. HOPE THIS HINT HELPS OTHERS.
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:28 PM:
Hi there Jim!
Nice one! Grits kills ants. I am always looking for organic tips to get rid of pests. I will add this to the list. Thanking you kindly for your comment to my article.
All the best,
Ben
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Posted by Imdarealtor (from Rohnert Park, CA) on August 10, 2008 at 01:23 AM:
How is it that the grits get rid of the ants? Just curious as too how it works. Thank you in advance for your response!
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Subject: Homegrown is the best
Posted by Sharonpatricia (from Wabamun, Alberta, Canada) on August 05, 2008 at 06:46 PM:
Just wanted to say I enjoyed your article. I come from a long line of gardeners, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and possibly more so I garden and all three of my sons garden. I am hoping when my grandchildren get homes of their own they will also garden. They have been exposed to growing vegetables and flowers.
Because of arthritis I am now converting to container and raised beds and so far my daughter-in-law and I have had three meals of our own swiss chard, onions are coming along good and our tomatoes are producing great. We also have carrots, peas, beans and beets but our cucumbers aren't very good. We do have a potato patch but the men have to look after that.
Have plans for much more next year when we hope to have more raised beds, 1/2 oak barrels and whatever we can plant in ready for spring. Would watermelon grow in oak barrels? Maybe we will try next spring to find out. Thanks for your article. Sharon
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:31 PM:
Hi Sharon!
I am so happy you enjoyed my article. I also find it inspiring at what you are growing. I believe that if your grandchildren were exposed to growing veg and flowers, they will most likely garden themselves. That's the beauty of what we do as gardeners, we do, we teach, we pass it on. It is a wonderful, never ending cycle.
I am not 100% sure watermelon would grow in Alberta. How many months of warm temperatures do you get? They would grow in oak barrels though. I can tell you that. They would like it a lot I think as the soil would retain moisture longer. I don't think you can water these plants enough.
If you would like seeds, please D-Mail me. These produced fruit rather quickly.
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Subject: food comes from the store
Posted by Infrared (from Middlefield, OH) on August 05, 2008 at 03:39 PM:
Benny,
I worked on an educational farm for five years and that was the usual answer I got even while standing in the middle of a garden with the class!! Unfortunately, the parents in the group knew little more than their children. I try not to get to depressed about it, since as you said, more and more people are growing their own food. It's better to laugh at their ignorance. For instance did you know that male and female dairy cows give milk?
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:35 PM:
Hi Infared,
I am excited about the future. I really am. There are schools here in Tucson which are creating gardens for the kids. And they LOVE it! I was the guest speaker at a kid's club meeting at the church where I work. They could not get enough of learning about how to grow things. We planted a tree and they are SO proud of it. As am I. I am going to do my part and get as many members of the younger generations excited about plants, gardens and educating them about the beauty of growing your own food.
I thank you kindly for your reply. I appreciate it. Now, here I go about to show my own ignorance, no, I did NOT know that male and femle dariy cows gave milk. I am one that believed only the females were the ones responsible. I learned something new today! Thank you!
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Subject: melon
Posted by themir (from La Quinta, CA) on August 04, 2008 at 11:12 AM:
Benny---nice job!!! was it sweet? i have watermelons and cantelopes growing in my garden now. i am growing the malawi variety of watermelon---it gets big but it isn't as sweet as i would like. i planted 4 other varieties but they were crowded out and seem to disappeared. i'd welcome any advice you have.
thanks
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:44 PM:
Hi Themir,
I thank you kindly. I apologize for the belated reply. This watermelon was SO sweet and unbelievably juicy. The advice I will share is what I did to grow mine. I placed them in a bed with a ton of cow manure and another organic fertilize comprised of chicken manure among other things. I have read that the smaller melons tend to produce the best fruite and consequently perform better. There is a relatively short number of days to yeild so I believe I will always stick with them from here on out. Besides, this one small melon lasted us days!
If you want some seeds, Please do D-mail me and I will send some your way.
All the very best
Ben
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Subject: Homegrown melons best!
Posted by rosewood513 (from Lanoka Harbor, NJ) on August 04, 2008 at 07:52 AM:
I grow mine too, fantastic! They are indeed the sweetest and juiciest you ever can eat. Worth the trouble and the space.
My nephew came to visit when he was about 8, I went inside to cook and he wanted french fries, (before the no fat craze) As I started to cut the potatoes he asked what I was doing. I told him I was making his french fries, he said "that is not the way to make them" so curiously I asked how they were made. He said "my mom opens up a box" I felt so sad for him, I never opened up a box in my life. So lots of our kids are not getting it. Thanks fopr this lovely article amkes us realize how lucky we are.
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:48 PM:
Hi Rosewood, I thank you ever so kindly. I am so sorry for the belated reply. I am in North Carolina at the moment.
It does make you sad doesn't it? I am resolving to do something about it. I will volunteer anywhere I can to get kids excited about how to grow things and educate them about how things are made and where our food REALLY comes from.
We need to get back to where we were before. There was a day when everyone grew fruit and veg. At least now I can retain some optimism that there are people out there making the effort to get back to those days.
We are lucky and I thank you for your wonderful comments. Wishing you the very best!
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Posted by rosewood513 (from Lanoka Harbor, NJ) on September 08, 2008 at 07:18 AM:
I am not used to this site so I never read your reply til today, thanks.
In our Master Gardener program here in Jersey we have formed a program to educate the young ones to appreciate the joys of growing their favorites in the garden whatever they like, flowers, vegetables or fruit. We are getting good results. My own son was taught when he was old enough to hold a spoon for digging. He helped me plant, care for and harvest the crop. We then went in the house and cooked them up.
Now he and his wife have a small garden on their balcony, he hopes to buy a house some day and will have his own garden.
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Subject: Excitement
Posted by gardenwife (from Newark, OH) on August 03, 2008 at 09:07 PM:
I can so relate to you, Benjamin! Yesterday, I noticed my first red tomato of the season on one vine. It's not quite ripe yet, but oh how I've crowed about it. :) When I first noticed it, a couple of women were walking their dogs past our house. I saw that blushing fruit and exclaimed, "Oh, hey! There's a red one!", more to myself and God than anyone else -- they just happened to be walking by when I looked down and saw it. One of the women laughed and said, "I do the same thing!".
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:53 PM:
Hey there gardenwife, I must apologize for the late reply. It IS magical. I mean what we are doing used to be a way of life once upon a time but when this is not something we normally do, it is a wonderful, blessed experience. I reckon even those that grew fruit and veg year after year made an exclamation when they saw the first yield of the season. It is a sense of satisfaction and shear joy that no other person will understand until they themselves thrust their own hands into the earth and get something beautiful to come from it.
I thank you every so kindly for your comments and you keep growing and being inspired. Further, enjoy every bite of those home grown maters! Take care now, Ben
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Subject: What a Melon!
Posted by azrobin (from Scottsdale, AZ) on August 03, 2008 at 07:07 PM:
Good looking Melon, Benny! What Newhobby said. LOL
You are so eloquent and delightful with your writing talent. I hope to see more of your wonderful garden and melons! I've got limited space to grow anything in ground, but do have some great looking herbs.
Robin
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:54 PM:
Hey there Robin!
God love ya! Thank you so kindly. Sorry for the belated reply. I am in North Carolina at the moment.
Right before I left I tore out some ornamentals and planted a bunch of herbs. That is one great thing about the desert, the very agreeable climate to grow herbs in.
Thanking you kindly and wishing you the very best,
Ben
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Posted by azrobin (from Scottsdale, AZ) on August 06, 2008 at 12:28 AM:
I wish you the very best too, Benny. I think you'll be quite an asset to DG's informative articles.
Keep 'em coming, my friend.
Hugs,
Robin
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Subject: WowJust beautiful
Posted by beebonnet (from Coos Bay, OR) on August 03, 2008 at 03:10 PM:
That watermelon looks delicious and Huge. Bet it was really good.
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:55 PM:
Dear beebonnet, I thank you so kindly for your comment to my article. I am sorry for the belated reply. I am out of town and this is the first moment I have had to respond.
The melon was SO delicious. I am so thankful and feel blessed. It tasted like heaven.
I wish you all the very best! Take care, Ben
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Subject: Benny, you are an insperation!
Posted by newhobby (from Tolleson, AZ) on August 03, 2008 at 03:07 PM:
Everyone keeps us posted on your latest...you are awesome Man! We are getting ready to start our tomatoes from seed. I've been told Roma's aren't the best growers here but I'll be darned if our first shot this spring gave us some beauties! Keep on growing and writing to inspire us all!
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on August 03, 2008 at 11:16 PM:
Hey Benny...I went to the Peach Mania Festival over in Wilcox yesterday...want to trade some watermelon for peaches?? Jo
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:50 PM:
Christine, you are rather awesome yourself! Awesome about your Roma's. I am so happy people are inspired. I want to teach and I want to share and I am happy and blessed with friends like you.
Hey there Jo, You BETCHA! You fancy a trip to Tucson some time soon. thank you so much for thinking of me. You take care my friend! ~ Ben
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 10:43 PM:
It just so happens I am going to be in tucson tomorrow...gotta go to Michaels...plus the friend I am going with has an appointment somewhere...just so I get to have lunch at Sweet Tomatos and hit Michaels!! Jo
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 10:54 PM:
Hey there Jo,
Bugger. I am in North Carolina at the moment. Any time this weekend would be awesome or any time after that. Mmmmm... Sweet Tomatos. I love that place. Enjoy!
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 11:04 PM:
Benny....where in NC...I have family and friends there...Jo
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 11:10 PM:
Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on August 06, 2008 at 12:23 AM:
What a beautiful place for a retreat...
I recently attended a "Walk to Emmaus"....wonderful experience!!
My folks live up around Boone and West Jefferson, Nc...
Jo
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Subject: gardening surge here
Posted by woodspirit1 (from Lake Toxaway, NC) on August 03, 2008 at 11:15 AM:
We are seeing a surge of local growers and more fruit stands and farmer's markets. We have one at the end of a long parking lot in a park-like setting twice a week in our small town. It has grown enormously and the food is great. So are the jam, jellies, home crafts, and other saleable items.
I saw some puppies sold there the other week.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 03, 2008 at 01:36 PM:
Great article, wonder if I could grow just one?
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Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on August 03, 2008 at 09:25 PM:
Good job; nice article! Thanks for sharing...now if I could figure out how to share that melon today. Yum!
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Posted by woodspirit1 (from Lake Toxaway, NC) on August 04, 2008 at 05:11 PM:
er, I guess I should have paid more attention to the title. I am growing a pupppy now, but not from seed.
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Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on August 04, 2008 at 06:41 PM:
woodspirit1...
Too funny! May I order a Golden mix; unusually small size? No taller than the knee? ROFL
April
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Posted by woodspirit1 (from Lake Toxaway, NC) on August 04, 2008 at 09:29 PM:
No, even this precious beagle is too rambunctions for me. I have nicknamed him Rambo. He is actually Smokey. I was looking for an inside smallish dog that was not yappy. But I forgot with the natural desire to hunt, that he would bark a lot and even bay. Owyoooooooooooo!
He is chewing everything in sight and stealing from neighbors, especially things they leave on their deck. I only let him out a coupld of times of the day but he takes off and gets in to all kinds of mischief.
I grew this! - cardinal flowers
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Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on August 04, 2008 at 11:46 PM:
Owyoooooooooooo! LOL
Those cardinal flowers are lovely. Wish I would have grown these and that beautiful, yummy watermelon in the pics.
Sounds like that doggie keeps you busy.
April
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Posted by woodspirit1 (from Lake Toxaway, NC) on August 05, 2008 at 07:26 AM:
too busy. I make my husband keep him with him most of the time.
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Posted by BennysPlace (from Tucson, AZ) on August 05, 2008 at 09:42 PM:
To All: I just wanted to apologize for the belated reply to your messages. Woodspirit, I am actually in your part of the country right now. I am attending a conference in Ashville and today is the first break I got. I am excited by the comments on this article.
Woodspirit, I too am SO encouraged and happy at the proliferation of Farmer's Markets. They are a blessing and I go out of my way to buy from them on the weekend. I will happily pay more for quality food items. Besides the tomatoes I eat from these vendors are unreal. Your puppy sounds like a handful. Good luck!
Sharon, THANK YOU! As mentioned above, I am in your part of the country now. I am at Lake Junaluska and am humbled by the beauty of the Smoky's and Blue Ridge Mountains. I have chatted to the shuttle drivers at length and we talked one day about the fancy houses on the mountain. He mentioned the conflict with the mountain people. I immediately thought of you my friend. I reckon you could grow more than one. I have your address. I will mail you some when I get your package off to you.
Aunt A, Thanking you kindly for the compliments. Well now, I have a few more nearly ready for picking. Come on down. We'll have a melon feast!
Wishing you all the very best of everything!
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Posted by woodspirit1 (from Lake Toxaway, NC) on August 08, 2008 at 04:48 AM:
I am on the other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Brevard. Peaches are in now and it seems all I do is run to one of 2 produce stands. Darius shared her recipe for peach melba and if I ever get the time, I'm going to make a batch. It's the best peach jam I have ever had.
My daughter lives on a farm and she has a nice garden space. She shares a lot with us and we share raspberries with her.
Wish I could run into you while you're here. Wanna see the tallest waterfalls in the U.S? or the newest little museum? That's what we're about and (OH yes) white squirrels.
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Subject: looks yummy
Posted by onewish1 (from Denville, NJ) on August 03, 2008 at 05:55 AM:
I am so with you on this one.... with the price of food going up with the fuel prices.... I couldn't resist buying 4 watermelon plants for $1.99 at a local nursery.... I figured even if I get 1 or 2 out of those.... I am ahead of the game
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on August 03, 2008 at 07:56 AM:
Nice looking melon - great job!
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Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on August 03, 2008 at 09:03 AM:
This is my first year to grow watermelons too. I've got one that looks like it's just about ready to pick. I think I'll cut it today and put it in the fridge while I have the room to do so. I hope mine is as good as yours.
Janet
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on August 03, 2008 at 10:04 AM:
I'm trying, I'm trying, but I don't think we have enough sun and I don't know of any SHADE vegetables!! My daughter (age 17) bought a pepper plant or two at HD and peppers are just falling off her plant now.
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Posted by pajaritomt (from Los Alamos, NM) on August 03, 2008 at 07:40 PM:
I think it is great that the country is returning to vegetable gardening. It is good for the body and the soul. I like to grow vegetables and flowers and fruit and herbs. Nothing tastes as good as home grown. Thanks for putting encouragement out there for the rest of the gardeners on DG.
So what prompted this article? A watermelon. Yep, I cut into and enjoyed my very own melon today. Watermelons do well here and I can say right here and now this melon was the juiciest, sweetest melon I have ever had the pleasure of eating. I harvested the melon yesterday and I held it with pride. What a healthy, heavy, perfect melon you are! I said aloud. I took it in and set in the fridge. Today during lunch we ceremoniously cut it in half to reveal this wonderful piece of perfection hand grown by me. The way I carried on you would think I was the first person in the world to ever cultivate a watermelon in a garden!
