My first memories of vegetable gardening are of my grandparents. It was special place. A vegetable garden with lots of flowers as well. I remember some flowers were there for pest control and others for church flower arrangements for the Sunday service…which often included lots of gladiolas. From that memory I have planted gladiola bulbs (also one of Bill’s favorite flowers) and marigolds that I also remember maybe they were for pest control. My grandparents also had to two long rows of black berries for jam. Yum! However, one of my favorite things was grabbing a big tomato and eating just like an apple…sweet and juicy…one of my favorites.

Our gardening includes two pots on the deck with cherry tomatoes which have babies! So excited. The ground garden has the bigger tomatoes and hoping they are sweet and juicy like I remember. This is our first year as vegans so having this garden is very special to us. It means we are taking steps, even though small, to help end the horrific and cruel way we produce meat and dairy and seafood through the animal farming industries. Animal farming is also over fifty percent responsible for climate change that is destroying the planet. Growing this garden has shown me that we can grow vegetables and from seeds too. We are also sharing our garden with squirrels and rabbits, at least those we know of. I don’t mind sharing with other animals, but I wish they had a better sense of sharing! I now realize I can grow a healthy, productive vegetable garden on the deck and in the ground so why not also grow vegetables inside too. This has got me to wonder (my realtor hat is coming on now) why not get out there and plant vegetables all around the house and work it to appear as landscaping. I am not a qualified gardener or landscaper. This could be a really good idea…will talk with some landscapers about this and post responses. Now to enjoy some of the radishes the rabbits did leave for us.