‍I have had a garden for many years, even when we lived in the city. After we moved here, I was able to raise the bar on gardening. Having space on the property helped.

‍The best way to enjoy fresh veggies is to have your own garden.

‍I remember the taste of fresh-picked tomatoes from my dad’s backyard garden. His example is likely why I started gardening.

‍My annual ritual is to eat the first ripe tomato, sliced, on buttered toast…sometimes with salami.

‍I’ve learned by making mistakes—crowded plants, too much or too little watering, or underestimating pests—but this informs each new year. Over time, these annual decisions have created a history of adaptation and constant change. Planting a garden every year is about producing something useful, staying active, solving problems, learning patience, and being creative. It’s also a movie I shoot every year with Mother Nature as the protagonist and me as the minor actor.

‍Sometimes I get to win.

‍There are different planting methods but I have always used raised beds. They are easier to maintain with less bending over and also no need to trample soil between rows for weeding and other tasks. Raised beds improve drainage and soil control.

‍Raised beds don’t work for potatoes and those I plant in the in-ground bed. I direct seed, transplant seedlings or plant in containers depending on the plant. I’ve always started some seeds indoors to extend the growing season and to allow for variety and timing control. Transplanting established seedlings can lead to earlier harvests, especially with our short growing season.

‍The photo gallery below shows my garden as it’s looked over the years.