The Joy of Being a Beginner

Last fall, I moved into a Brooklyn apartment with a balcony and made a promise to myself that I’d learn how to garden. I poured over heirloom seeds online and set a goal to hold a single vegetable in my hand that I’d grown from a seed. Spring arrived, and as I planted my seeds in starter trays, I wondered if I was doing it right. Despite some setbacks, I watched as little sprouts began to shoot up and the state of my seeds became my morning obsession. As I repotted my plants, an earthquake hit the city, but I remained focused on nurturing my green babies. Despite challenges like flatlining plants and brown rot on tomatoes, I found joy in the process. I surpassed my initial goal and even discovered the delights of growing ground cherries with a rich history. The experience taught me to embrace being a beginner and find excitement in every little success. I look forward to next year’s gardening adventures and my new goal of growing a big, juicy heirloom tomato. Do you have any gardening tips or favorite things to grow? Share in the comments below!