Little Green Thumb

Today marks the first day of autumn, a perfect time to pause and reflect on my summer projects. One of my most rewarding endeavors this year was starting a small backyard garden — an experience that brought joy, growth, and delicious rewards.

In my garden, I grew a variety of plants, including four tomato plants, two habanero plants, one eggplant, sweet onions, Thai chili peppers, spicy bell peppers, cucumbers, mint, sweet basil, and purple basil. The harvest was abundant, and I’m hopeful it will continue into mid-fall. While everything was delightful, my tomatoes stood out — plump, sweet, and absolutely luscious. And my peppers? They packed plenty of fiery heat!

My love for growing food took root during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Working from home gave me the chance to explore houseplants and gardening more deeply. I started small, nurturing herbs like oregano, cilantro, sage, thyme, rosemary, mint, and basil. After enjoying success with herbs, I ventured into the world of peppers, growing habaneros, chili peppers, and spicy bell peppers. In a previous post, I even showcased my homemade candied habanero peppers — a spicy-sweet treat I was proud to create.

This summer of "playing in the dirt" has been an incredible learning experience. Gardening is not only rewarding but also deeply grounding. If you’ve ever considered trying your hand at it, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take the plunge. There’s nothing quite like growing your own food and savoring the fruits of your labor.

Looking ahead, I’m already excited for next year’s garden. My goals? To improve plant spacing and focus more on cultivating healthy, rich soil. Here’s to new growth and more gardening adventures!