6.29.2010

DIY Farming = Always Fresh, Organic, Affordable Ingredients

For the last couple of weekends, I've scaled back the fresh produce I've bought at the weekend farmers market and amped up buying my own plants and herbs to cultivate in my own little urban farm on my balcony.

I picked up a bag of organic soil (from Red Rake Farm at Arlington Farmers Market) to plant my purchases in and have managed to keep them alive for three whole weeks of sweltering DC summer weather... I think at this point, I'm confident enough to blog about them without fear I'll embarrass myself and kill them (and then feel compelled to confess to you all.)
Yellow Cherry Tomatoes & Lime Basil

It's been really fun to never worry about them going bad, but just walk outside cut off my ingredients and pop them into the pan. It's especially great for a quick post-work pasta meal. I've got yellow cherry tomatoes, green peppers, sweet red peppers, lime basil, thyme and spearmint in my containers.
King Arthur Green Peppers

Now I'm hooked and can't wait to plant more. Maybe I can even keep some of them going this year through the winter. (Last year, I left them outside and they didn't make it past the first frost.)

For other cool takes on container garden, urban farming and window box veggies, check out these blog posts:

1 comment:

Olga @ MangoTomato said...

ooh tomatoes!!! Your plants look really healthy: congrats! Wish I had a little balcony to grow things.