I have pledged to eat at least one thing that I grew myself every day for a year, with each week of eating locally recorded in The Green Man Blog.
The stories of my daily harvest are all true, but that isn't the whole picture. Behind the scenes are some truly epic failures.
When we first moved to the Sunshine Coast, it was July. There was no garden, so I built two box gardens in the corner of the front yard totalling 150 square feet. That summer, I successfully grew rhubarb, marjoram, chives and mesclun greens.
Little did I know that when September arrived, the sun would cease to visit that corner of the yard for nearly nine months. As I gaze upon those boxes today, I can see three spindly leeks and a scruffy-looking sage plant. Grade: Fail.
I can't grow radishes. All right, that's not entirely true. I have planted 300 radish seeds according to the seed count on my packets. I have harvested three radishes over three growing seasons.
Even the fall planting -- in a cold frame -- perished in the great freeze of November 2010. Shade, part shade, full sun, compost, water, fertilizer -- none of it makes a bit of difference. Grade: Fail.
We wanted a herb garden right by the east door for easy picking. It was -- and remains -- our dream to simply lean out the door and grab fresh herbs while we are cooking. Hubris. The death toll to date includes three rosemary bushes, one bay bush and an oregano plant that was indestructible for 10 years in Vancouver and possibly several years in Maple Ridge before that. I can't remember. Grade: Fail.
My winter beets are mush, their greens even mushier. I could see it coming. The weather reports said temperatures would plunge to -7 C and, as we are a bit up the hill from the ocean, I knew it could get even colder. I could have done something. Harvested. Mulched. Organized a last-minute Beet Roast and Arctic Luau.
I had feet of clay and it cost me dearly. My entire crop was wiped out. Grade: Fail.
I have pledged to eat at least one thing that I grew myself every day for a year. This column reflects my week of eating locally as recorded in The Green Man Blog
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