My Journey from a Young Gardener in England to a Thriving Gardener in California

My fascination with gardening began at a young age, growing up under the watchful eye of my father, a head gardener on an estate in North Cheshire, England. In those early days, I followed my father around, absorbing his knowledge and skills without knowing it.

Early Beginnings

Back then, my father allowed me to have my own small plot in the garden. Here, I learned to sow seeds, weed, and care for young plants from a tender age. These formative experiences led me to inherit the garden after my father’s passing, during a period marked by financial scarcity and social pressures.

The late 1960s and early 1970s were tough. My mother managed on a widow's benefit, meaning money was tight. It was in this context that I learned to grow vegetables and fruits to supplement my mother's income. This not only helped to save money but also provided me with a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.

I continued to grow and learn as a young man, finding joy in the daily tasks and discoveries of the garden. My gardening skills and knowledge expanded significantly, leading me to California, where the challenges and opportunities were quite different.

Fast forward years later, and I now live and garden in the Central Valley of California. Here, I face new challenges and opportunities. Unlike the Northwest of England, where I spent my first 45 years, the climate and conditions are vastly different. However, each season offers new lessons and experiences.

Transitioning to Gardening as a Hobby

My interest in gardening had always been there, but like many others, I had not quite managed to invest the time and effort required to really see results. I would buy seedlings from the grocery store and plant them but often found my efforts fruitless as I would neglect them, leading to their untimely demise.

However, something changed when I decided to grow a lemon tree from a grocery store Meyer lemon. After some research, I realized the limitations of growing citrus from seeds, but the experience reignited my passion for gardening. The magic of growing from seed, where one watches a tiny seedling sprout, was a different kind of satisfaction that hooked me.

Award-Winning Gardening

Today, I grow and rotate a range of vegetables and herbs in my tiny Toronto backyard garden. I cultivate tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, peas, beans, edamame, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, radishes, kale, garlic, scallions, and a variety of other leafy greens. This year, I am taking on the challenge of growing cauliflower in a small space and experimenting with a new variety of Japanese eggplant that I discovered at a traditional Japanese restaurant.

I find the satisfaction of growing a variety of vegetables in a limited space to be a complex and rewarding experience. The small space introduces constraints that challenge you to be creative, maximizing the use of the spring and fall, and planting strategically. These challenges are not in vain, as they teach patience, adaptability, and creativity.

Challenges and Rewards

The small space garden also introduces challenges like dealing with rodents such as squirrels and raccoons, who can be both pests and unexpected companions. Over time, I have learned to manage these challenges and even find a way to coexist.

Photos from Years Past

Here are some memorable photos from past garden seasons:

My garden in the morning light, with squash, tomatoes, beans, and more Coriander in full bloom Growing zucchini Tasting tomatoes on the vine Jalape?o peppers in a bucket, which are red peppers though often used green Beautiful speckled lettuce, which adds a unique touch to salads Bush beans in abundance, providing a bountiful harvest The Sweat Bee, the official bee of Toronto, which is a frequent visitor and a delightful sight

Each season, my garden is a different adventure, offering new challenges and rewards. Gardening is a journey of learning, creativity, and self-discovery, one that I continue to explore with great passion and joy.