Planting Season 2023: A Journey of Growth and Resilience

It’s a new year, and I’m thrilled to kick off the planting season for 2023! Today, on the 13th of August, I took a leap towards cultivating a bountiful garden. Let me share with you the exciting variety of plants that have found their new home in my GroBoxes:

1. Onion
2. Eggplant
3. Cucumber
4. Radish
5. Butternut Squash
6. Yellow Melon
7. Marigold
8. Sugar Beans
9. Jalapeno
10. Basil
11. Coriander (Cilantro)
12. Rocket (Arugula)
13. Black Eyed Peas
14. Beetroot
15. Red Russian Kale

But planting these seeds today is just one part of a journey that started 24 months ago. Back then, I began collecting horse manure from nearby stables using my trusty 1982 Mercedes Benz 230E. They say it’s one of the most over-engineered models ever made, and it definitely lived up to its reputation during this process.

Once I had gathered enough manure, I embarked on the art of composting. For the past six months, I allowed my roosters to scratch through the compost, enriching it with their natural fertilization process. Nature has been amazing, guiding me through this journey.

Last year, I intentionally let the weeds grow out of control, as part of my sustainable farming approach. Then, this year, I chopped and dropped them, creating a nourishing layer of mulch for the soil. It has been a holistic approach to farming, taking into account the balance of nature and using it to my advantage.

My previous experience farming the land after the fire had taught me a valuable lesson about resilience. Despite facing numerous pests, including those mischievous baboons that had a taste for my butternuts and pumpkins, I managed to overcome these challenges. The cucurbit flies also made their presence known, but nothing deterred me from pursuing my gardening dream.

My first season which started towards October of 2021, I celebrated a triumphant yield of over 300 gemsquash. Their seeds became the symbol of my perseverance and a reminder of the fruits of my labor. Throughout the winter, I savored the gemsquash, grateful for the sustenance it provided.

Over the past year, I’ve prepared the garden with the help of my trusty chickens. They fearlessly foraged and turned the soil, enriching it with their presence. Today, their job is done, and they now reside safely in a green house alongside the garden, observing the growth they helped nurture.

With each seed I carefully planted today, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and hope. This planting season marks a new chapter in my gardening journey, and I’m ready to tend to these plants, nurture them, and witness their transformation.

Join me as I journal the progress of this planting season, and let us rejoice in the wonders of nature and the rewards it brings. Stay tuned for updates, gardening tips, and tales of triumphs and lessons learned along the way.

Happy gardening!

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