Patience

I thought it might be time to give you a little update on my gardening project.  This is, unfortunately, not because I have much to report.  No, I’m just not one to leave something unfinished.  I started out sharing this gardening project with you, and I am going to see it through.  The good news is that a couple of the cherry tomato plants that I planted in early August have done relatively well and have little flowers on them – hooray!  I’m trying not to count my caprese chickens too soon, but you know me – I’m ever hopeful!

Here’s what’s happened with the rest of it.

Last time I checked in on the garden, I rigged up lots of pots on my “balcony” so that they could each have as much light and space as possible.  I pulled out a few things that were looking downright pathetic – the green beans, one variety of tomatoes, all of the lettuce (some of which were ready to eat so I put them to use in a great salad which I’ll share soon), and the peppers and tomatoes that I had planted hanging upside down (they never really seemed to like it).

I’ve done a little research and decided to change my strategy a bit.  Namely, I purchased organic packs of seeds that are able to grow in less light and more challenging environments.  My research told me that petite varieties of tomatoes and peppers might do better with the conditions on my balcony.  And so, into the “garden” went “Sweet ‘N Neat” tellow tomatoes, “Red Robin” red cherry tomatoes, and a “Mini Belle” sweet pepper mix.

I also could not resist the temptation of purchasing this irresistible monstrosity – the Grow Box.  I am not convinced that it will work any better than my plain old planters, but I liked the idea that it regulates the amount of water the plants get.  I suspect that watering may be part of my problem.  I have often thought that I might be over-watering since I always think those plants must be as parched as I constantly am.

Only time will tell if this next round of seedlings will grow (and if they will like their Grow Box home), but I will keep you posted.

The one thing I can say for certain is that I am learning a lot in the process.  I started this project because I was dreaming of the edible things it might produce.  Much to my surprise, I enjoy it so much that I’m hardly even discouraged by the minimal success thus far.  Even though I’m stuck on our strangely enclosed balcony when I’m planting things, I love the feeling of doing something outside.  Most of all, it is giving me a great deal of patience.  Whether my seeds grow or not, I can only help them along.  They’ve got to do all the work.

In my life, where I sometimes feel that I’m constantly on the move, a little more patience is a very good thing.