Just an Idea

March 15, 2015

Today, Ryan and I created the plots for our new, permanent gardening beds.

We've talked about this for a couple of years now, so this is a huge step. In the past we've tried container gardening, and had little luck. The plants had to be watered so often and we worked so much, that just wasn't happening. Now, we are more prepared and willing to spend time out in the dirt to grow food that we can eat, can and share with our family and friends.

As chefs, we are always looking for the freshest ingredients to cook with. What better way than growing your own food?

Last year, many of our friends and family members had their own gardens. When they ended up with too much produce, they would "pawn" it off on us. So much so we ended up having too much, too. So we canned and froze a lot of it. As we were doing so, Ryan and I kept telling each other how much fun it was and how great it would have been if we had grown it all ourselves, too. So began the conversation.

In January 2015 I was hired as an editorial intern at Mother Earth News, a magazine dedicated to "living wisely". Many of their articles focus on gardening, farming, sustainable energy and food. As an intern, I get to read all kinds of cool articles about food and gardening and do-it-yourself. It's really inspiring! So I started doing some research while doing my job at the same time (how cool is that?) and asking the editors for their advice and any tips they had. Between their advice and the articles online, I had plenty of knowledge to get me started.

So this blog will be dedicated to sharing my and Ryan's first gardening experiences. Our fails, our triumphs and everything in between. I hope to post pictures and even continue this fall with canning and freezing experiences.

So stay tuned. Follow two chefs as they learn to garden together. If you have any tips or helpful hints for us, please comment below in the comments section.