There is something very Southern about playing in the dirt.  Perhaps it is from our agricultural heritage down here in the South.  I come from a long line of green thumb ladies.  My mother, aunts, grandmother and mother-in-law were “horticulturally gifted.”  They knew all the names and varieties of plants, were active participants in their garden clubs and were even on a first name basis with the local nursery personnel.  Unfortunately, I did not inherit this gardening gene!  I did, however, marry a green thumb guy and am privileged to enjoy a beautiful yard replete with many flowering plants because of his efforts.

My first foray into gardening ended in complete failure as I killed every plant in my cut flower and vegetable garden.  This was largely due to my inconsistent watering and lack of proper soil preparation.  Several years later, I got up the courage to make another attempt.  The perennial garden met with much more success than the first effort due to the involvement of my husband from the beginning.

However, my desire to plant and grow a vegetable wasn’t satisfied with beautiful perennials.  While recently visiting with Chick B and her family, she began bragging that she was now growing tomatoes!  Hearing this brought back the repressed gardening desire so of course, I became green with envy.   And, I immediately ran off to the local nursery to purchase MY tomato plant!  When I confided all of my gardening insecurities to the nursery employee, (he seemed a little overwhelmed by all of this) he suggested that I also plant herbs in case the tomatoes don’t work out.

Chick B called me a showoff for adding herbs to my garden – I call it insurance.  At least I will have SOMETHING to show for my hard work.  I even bought a jalapeño pepper plant – salsa anyone?

Well, the plants are in the ground . . . watering has been consistent thus far . . . no bugs yet I am happy to report  . . . we will see what happens!

Chick A