A home gardener in Central Texas. Mostly vegetables, some fruit, a few flowers. Organic and sustainable. Feeding my small family, the few bees, the many earth worms, and a small pocket of air in North Austin.
I began gardening in pots on my balcony in the spring of 2007 in Northwest Austin. We had a western facing balcony. Two years in pots, complete with a flower box as a compost bin (it didn’t smell, I swear!) we moved into a townhouse with a small courtyard.
That first year was mostly bust, with the exception of two over-wintered Cherry Chadwicks in pots who grew to more than six feet tall.
I also attempted my first fall garden in that spot, in 2009. Rutabagas, broccoli, and cauliflower starts from the Red Barn Garden center just across the way. In two nights, slugs had taken them to the ground.
At the end of 2010 we purchased a home and before we’d even finished unpacking I had laid out plans for the new garden plot. 5′ x 20′ x 30″ took an hour or three nearly every evening for a month, but it was worth it.
The first spring was tomatoes, peppers, green beans, drying beans, cucumbers, and lettuce. The first fall was over-summered (a Texas balancing act in the worst drought/heat on record) tomatoes and peppers, more green beans, drying beans, greens, and failed cantaloupe.
And here we are, entering the next year with plans of expansion in space and varieties.
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It’s been five years since then. We’ve since moved again, that time with a six week old. It takes much more time to accomplish much less when you’re in the thick of raising a family first, and a garden second. Especially with a lot of career thrown in. But the garden grows, the lizards climb, and the fire flies fly.
plumdirt 
Love the name.
And mighty jealous of your garden! The pictures are awesome.
Thanks! I’ve really enjoyed your posts (and beautiful photography) as well! Giving me all sorts of ideas for the kitchen – thank you!
Hey, fellow Texas gardener! Nice to hook up here. I look forward to your future garden posts. That drought last year was a killer.
Hey! It surely was. Are you Northern? Panhandle? Gulf? I’m in Austin.
Gulf, near Houston. I’m guessing you found me through Forgotten Skills. I just love her garden blog! I’ve read a few of your posts already — I’m really liking what I see!
Good for you! I’m so inspired. Hubby and me moved to our home a couple of years ago and each summer (short and hot here in Alberta) I do all I can to get as much produce from our small plot, but I plan on adding more every year. Containers on walls, hanging pots (have had EXCELLENT luck with cherry tomatoes in hanging pots) and by choosing tough plants. I’m so glad to have found you and look forward to finding ongoing inspiration here. Thanks for sharing about your journey 🙂 Cheers, Gina
Looks like you are doing ust fine !!!
Thanks! I’m having fun trying and learning anyway.
Hi PD. I’m not sure how you feel about blog awards, but I nominated you for the Liebster Award. I enjoy your work and your world. Details can be found here: http://wp.me/p1w6cN-226.
Kevin, you are too kind. Thank you. I’ve really enjoyed our banter and hope to continue volleying puns and such over the “garden fence” for ages to come!
I’m looking forward to it! 🙂
I love my little vegetable garden especially the tomatoes. Fun to read your blog. I am sure that I will learn a lot even though our climates are different.
Tomatoes are so rewarding! Thanks for stopping by and welcome 🙂
I love the smell of home grown tomatoes!
I hope all is well with you and your family.