Home Grown

Home Grown

  I have always loved to be thrifty. I conserve whatever I can, especially money. Last spring while at the store, my sister and I decided to get some seeds to plant in the backyard. It was one of those "why not" moments. They were only 2$. My sister decided to choose some exotic plants such as watermelons and pumpkins. I choose to get a packet of kale seeds. I figured my bearded dragon, Tempest, would enjoy eating it and then I could get my money back in the long run.

We planted our seeds and after a week or two they started to sprout out of the ground. With a little bit of love and water my kale grew and was soon ready to harvest. My sisters died. She must have been missing an ingredient (and it wasn't water).

It was satisfying picking off the first leaf and giving it to Tempest. Sadly he is a nasty eater and he just snatched it into his mouth and swallowed it. But I am sure, despite his rudeness, that it was enjoyed.

My Kale battled out the winter, grew some tall yellow flowers, and apparently had some offspring and now there is whole garden of Kale in our back yard. The success of this plant has inspired my dad to take up the hobby of gardening. He built an elevated box out of scrap wood, so he doesn't have to bend over, and planted tomatoes, peppers, and even a watermelon. Hopefully these plants will grow to produce their fruits. May the odds be ever in their favor (couldn't help it).

Having a home grown garden is beneficial for everybody.

Seeds are very cheap and even though they require maintenance, it is worth it. A tomato is the same price as tomato seeds which can produce enough tomatoes to open a ketchup factory. Also anybody who is into organic food but concerned about the increased cost, gardening is definitely for you. Even a small garden can produce enough fruits and vegetables for a family to not have to buy any from the store. If you are worried about what mad scientist inject into your food, planting seeds allows you to choose what is, or preferably what isn't, injected into them.

If you don't like to go outside and get a little dirty, you can grow an indoor garden. My grandma grows multiple plants for spices and natural medicines such as basil and aloe, from her windows.

In the end, a great reason for growing your own plants is the simple satisfaction of eating a dish that was prepared with plants that you raised like they were your own children. Except when these children grow up, you rip off their limbs, just enough for them to survive, and satisfyingly eat them.