Balcony Garden
By Thor Rasmussen
27 Oct 2009
This summer, my wife and I grew a garden on our second story apartment balcony. I discovered a garden adds more than just greenery to a concrete slab. It is simple slow entertainment like an epic novel. Every day the garden would grow a little more without anyone really noticing until ... OH! a flower! Something is happening inside these plants! I found myself spending time everyday after work checking the leaves, looking for new produce, seeing how the tomatoes were becoming redder or getting irritated by the worms or mildew that stole the plants to an early end. As we sat in our living room every now and again a sparrow or little wren would nip at the little bugs that found our garden.
Now, summer is passing and fall is in full swing. We are moving soon and so we decided not to plant anything for the current season, but still, the garden, as the plants end their course and begin to shrivel, provide a texture for the balcony that never would have been there.
I recommend you try growing a garden sometime. It is a good experience to have. You may get more than vegetables.
3 responses
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Richard Knight gave props (27 Oct 2009):
Magnificent obsession, you say? Just like JPG. These were called "victory gardens" in WW II, when households had to raise much of their own food to support the troops. Excellent essay. Voted.
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Misha Marston Johnson gave props (27 Oct 2009):
Very well said. My sentiments exactly...Long live gardens.
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Maura Wolfson-Foster gave props (27 Oct 2009):
Such a magical photo essay ....and, a very special glimpse into your life. An enthusiastic YES from me Thor :)
