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Not So Victorious Garden
Posted: May 1, 2011 By: Leah Jaffee

Croquis

It is May and by Seattle's standards, we have a lovely spring day....maybe the 2nd this year. An illusion of sunny weather heightens the sense of freedom; freedom from polar fleece and hoodies. In reality, it is just a lack of rain in the air. White clouds hover over the region shuttering the sun from the eyes of potential worshipers. The promise of 65' F warms expectations of shirtsleeves, flip-flops and socks with sandals. The actuality of the current 56' F doesn't damper the yearning for vitamin D. We take what we can get, rain or overcast, rain or.....overcast; in hoodies with flip-flops.

 

Checking my mail, I see the 3rd monthly catalogue from the gardener's supply house to arrive this year. Thumbing the pages, I hear a little English girl begging her benefactor for 'just a little bit of earth'; a secret garden. If I miss anything living in an apartment, it is a garden or at least, garden boxes. Last year, determination sends me to the garden supply loading my van with build-your-own frames, dirt, compost, seed starters, etc. With the goal of transforming my mother's backyard, I hammer, dig and prep the earth for my starter plants.

The southern exposure of my building's windowed stairwell serve as greenhouse for my starter seeds. Dutifully, I water and rotate compostable cups of planted seeds. Reminicent of 2nd grade science class, everyday coming and going, I pass my buried seeds. At the tiniest sign of a sprout, victory would pulse through my veins. House plants I kill. An outdoor garden, I can grow!

Victory Garden - Radishes

Radishes are easy, Heirloom radishes look cool. Alas, once the starters are planted, time is an issue. Thinking watering plants a great activity for my mother, I see she doesn't share the same enthusiasm. Living 5 miles away, distance also becomes an issue. Catering, mothering, starting the development of this website; all draw on my time. The plants need more water. There isn't much rain. Worse still, there isn't much sun. It is a bust of a year for gardening. Even the CSA delivery at Hillel consists of hearty crops limited to roots; beets, parsnips, carrots that join kale and chard.

Victory Garden - Broccoli

This is almost the extent of my harvest. Spending at least $500 to plant the garden, these are some very costly veggies. Woman against nature and responsibilities, I don't feel so victorious. Tossing the catalogue into the recycle, this year I'll just walk the neighborhood and ask Mary how her garden grows.

Victory Garden - Veggies

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About Leah

Hi! Thank you for stopping by to watch me, Leah, cook kosher. I've been the owner operator of my boutique catering firm in Seattle, Leah's Catering, for the past 14 years.
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