abe lincoln hybrid tomatoes

The Spring of 2009 mark my wife and I’s second spring in the 1940 minimal-traditionalist Tower District home we have purchased. The first spring we planted a relatively small area of our back yard with herbs and vegetables.

I like to do more that the year before, so we planted a second small strip in the backyard. In the backyard we grew: greens, rosemary, oregano, lavender, chocolate mint, spicy globe basil, eggplant, jalapeños, and 5 varieties of tomato. The fruit trees we planted were: lime, nectarine, and pomegranate

We also conducted one experiment. With the left over lumber for an archop installation, I built a terraced planter along the sidewalk of our side yard (we live on a corner). We planted the sidewalk planter with sweet corn, crookneck squash, purple basil and artichokes.

harvest of crookneck squash & corn

Overall the garden was a great success. The corn sparked many conversations and even inspired two neighbors to plant corn on their parkway. I really enjoyed being out there, watering or tending the plants, while neighbors walked by with their children or family dog.

The one thing that stumped me was a fungus that grew on the soil at the base of my eggplants and prevented them from producing. I hope to understand that problem and prevent it this year. I also hope the double my corn production.

Who know what else we can grow or discover this year. I know I’m excited. Want to join me?