This summer, I planted my first vegetable garden.
I have ten raised beds of vegetables and herbs on my little half-acre homestead, all green, lush, and thriving. Out of all the vegetables we planted, only one failed to grow properly: the fennel. Luckily we only had two bulbs; I might have cried if we’d planted an entire bed, only to have all of them fail. Their stems stood tall and their fronds grew out of control — incredibly bushy — but their bulbs never enlarged, never grew into the things that I recognize from the grocery store.
But I realized that’s okay. This season was the first time I’d planted any vegetable in my entire life, and for nearly all of them to flourish? That’s amazing. I thank the continuously sunny weather here in West Sonoma County, the water, the soil. Oh, and the magic fungi, Mykos mycorrhizae, which I believe is the secret to our bounty.
People see the garden and assume I have a green thumb. They think I’m a gardener, a farmer. I’ve kept a few succulents, a basil plant, and a pot of mint in my life. That’s it. So I’m not really sure where this green thumb came from, or perhaps I had it all along, and I just never had the opportunity — nor the land — to exercise it.
It’s a neat feeling: to be successful at something new. Routine, perhaps apathy, can take over me for long periods of time, and I suppose that’s the case for many people. And I very much welcome the hobbies I’ve taken on the past few years that do not require a laptop — gardening, cooking, taiko drumming, exercising. It has led to a shift away from blogging and writing, which in some ways is unfortunate, but it has opened up new opportunities to learn and find satisfaction. Because while my job requires me to be online, there’s a hard line there — if I’m not working, I don’t want to be in front of a computer at all.
This Monday, October 2, marks the beginning of my sabbatical — a three-month period of paid time off from work at Automattic. It’s an incredibly generous perk we receive at our five-year anniversary — a milestone I can’t believe I’ve reached. Before this job, I was a freelance writer and editor since I’d graduated from college, mixing editorial contracts with part-time work as an magazine editorial assistant, or teaching assistant, or marketing proofreader. I always wanted options, I dabbled in lots of things, I liked the variety in my schedule, and I didn’t want to commit. I also needed to be able to take off and travel for long periods of time. That was my priority. So it’s weird to say I’ve been with the same company for five years.
I have a list of things I plan to do, or would like to do, during these three months. This period of time is truly a dream for my former self, who would have already booked a string of flights. Interestingly, most of the items on my sabbatical to do list do not include hopping on a plane. I’ll head to New York soon on a short trip to see friends and also hope to explore more of California, but I’m even more excited to have uninterrupted time in my garden.
I’ve certainly changed.
We threw our first harvest party at our home last weekend, which was a success, and some of the vegetables — the zucchinis, squash, broccolini, French baby bush beans, mesclun and little gem lettuce — are on their way out. Here are some photos of what our August and September looked like. I was happy not to buy produce at the grocery store at all, and even happier to deliver baskets of goodies to neighbors and family members.
I recently went to the nursery to scout the next rotation. Looking forward to planting more!
Follow me on Instagram @cherilucasrowlands.
You’ve done wonderfully well – if anyone has a better claim to be a gardener, I’d like to see it. My sweetheart draws smiley faces on tomatoes that fail to ripen. It makes him feel better when he sees them.
Very beautiful gardening. A great achievement growing them all at your first attempt.
Beautiful
I have had a garden every year of my life { eleven years now} and that is one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen!! great job and I cant wait to see more posts!!!
You can be proud very proud of your work, even if you got some help. I love the idea of a bounty celebration and the baskets for neighbors and family.
My father grew a big garden in our backyard when I was a kid and I could even have my own small patch as long I took care of it myself. Which I loved to do. With only he and my mom my dad started to give away anything they couldn’t eat. So my dad would bike every morning with a huge basket filled with the produce of his garden and he would give them away. When he passed away a few years ago I flew to France and was very moved when people I had never met told me about this. They all said they would miss his early morning free deliveries. I detected genuine affection. So I am sure your baskets are also making a difference.
Enjoy the bounty and the three next months!
My little window garden project didn’t work out this well, but something still came out of it. Keep up the good work 🙂
Such a beautiful space!
Well done.
Gardening is for the soul, from the soul.
I hope your stomach enjoys the harvest more than your fingers and back did.
Keep on at it regardless, it’s a part of who we Humans are.
You are such a delight to read. Your pics are so matching and fabulous. Thanks for sharing and have a blast during your sabbatical, and congrats on 5 years!!!
Wonderful post. It look so fresh, kind of mouthwatering.
The garden looks fantastic. I think that’s the ideal, producing enough for your own needs but also with plenty left over to share with family, friends and neighbours. Nourishing all round. Have a lovely sabbatical.
Sounds like you started working at Automattic around the same time that I started my blog – I just had my 5 year blogaversery. Maybe I should take a 3 month sabbatical too! Your garden looks soooo yummy. You’ll be ready for the coming apocalypse… sorry, I just caught up on 7 season of The Walking Dead, and 2 1/2 seasons of Fear the Walking Dead, in a month and a half. That combined with daily Trump garbage has me seeing the world in a different light. Enjoy the time off.
There is much truth to those who have a green thumb, some hidden talent. I’m, unfortunately, the opposite which is probably why I had to leave my small agricultural hometown ~ otherwise, they would have had to kick me out 🙂 Your photos show a little oasis in life, special. And now with a three-month sabbatical ahead, fantastic…and yes, I’m a bit jealous as I’m sure everyone is. But it is also inspirations, gets me thinking just what I would do if I have those three months 🙂 Cheers, and happy trails ahead!
The harvest is proof of the gardeners’ dedication so high 5 to you both for the behind the scenes pottering, tending and weeding that brought such a harvest. We’re on our way home from 3 months’ sabbatical (we call it long service leave and only after 10 years). Enjoy your time away from work and laptop 😊 Linda
Raised planters are the way to go. Congratulations on your first garden.
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Your garden is awesome. I started following you on instagram.
Wonderful post and very beautiful photos. Your home and garden are a little slice of heaven!
Ces photos sont d’une beauté sublime. Bravo l’artiste et bonne suite !
I’m on sabbatical too this year (but a self granted millennial sabbatical 😁). I’ve turned to the computer and internet in this time, since I’ve decided to start a blog, but also looking to find activities that take me away from the screen. Good luck with your garden and happy sabbatical!
Congratulations on your magnificent harvest Cheri and best wishes for your sabbatical.
Your garden is absolutely beautiful! I recently got three acres, to do more gardening. I love it! It’s a learning by doing experience for sure.
And your place is so beautiful
Wow I like your garden you did a great job growing all the vegetables so kudos to you!!!! your friend billy