My vegetable garden is a sanctuary, a joy, a pastime, a pleasure, my special place, and much more:
if he is growing it organically,
is improving a piece of the world.
He is producing something to eat ...
~ Wendell Berry
It is the height of summertime picking, canning and preserving of tomatoes, beans, wild berries, figs, strawberries & raspberries, garlic and kale. Here are five Caramel and Parsley articles with excellent reasons for you to start your vegetable garden for a fabulous change to a healthier and happier lifestyle. No more obstacles or procrastination ...

Start with Raised beds - the only way to grow
Really a great way to start a garden. You will find many reasons and examples of different types of raised beds outlined in this article. These are only as limited as your imagination. I have put together raised beds in 10 minutes which produced a great crop of potatoes one summer.

Ideas on How to Start a Vegetable Garden
This 2017 article was written to encourage and help anyone who wishes to begin a new vegetable garden. The idea is to just get started; small is fine, or look for containers on sale for your apartment balcony, patio, etc. Runner beans on a trellis make a wonderful screen and the hummingbirds love the bright orange blossoms.

New Home = New Vegetable Garden
It's fun to plan your new garden and choose vegetables and fruit trees which you like such as raspberries or strawberries. Rhubarb is always a great standby for a neglected, shady corner and is a prolific producer. There's always room for a garden - no more excuses!

Vegetable Gardening on a Steep Slope
Steep slopes need not be a problem. It may not be perfect but it is not impossible and you will enjoy the fruits of your labour. Spend time considering all your options as there are many benefits to planting a vegetable garden on a slope.

8 Reasons to Buy a Greenhouse
This most recent gardening article was a joy to write about our new greenhouse which has been a wonderful, and bountiful addition to my gardening experience. There are many reasons to consider a greenhouse, space permitting.
There is a lot of reading in the above articles and always more to learn. If gardening is new to you, I hope you will persevere and plan your garden during the fall and winter months. Best wishes for your new vegetable garden or perhaps a first time garden. Get started now. All the best ... and happy gardening.
have the distinct privilege of proactively participating
in shaping the world
your children will inherit"
~ Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm
Links & References
- Reasons to Grow your own Fruit at Home
- 12 Reasons to Grow your Own Food
- More Ideas on Growing Your Own Food
- A favourite gardening book by John Seymour "The Self Sufficient Gardener", Dolphin Books, 1980
- Another classic reference book is "Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew, Rodale, 2005
~ Robert Rodale (1930–1990)
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