For this to grow so large and beautiful no great secret dug deep trenches and used lots of manure. Make sure to water consistently.

These are my Chard, Collard, and Kale greens. Great for juicing!

Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. Why? For fun, for defiance, for beauty and to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where “the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys.” Ron Finley grows a nourishing food culture in South Central L.A.’s food desert by planting the seeds and tools for healthy eating.

I have been doing an insane amount of digging fertilizing and feeding the ground in my yard. I am expanding my garden for the spring. Trying to get all of my plants that I started growing last year in the ground.
There is nothing like being able to go outside and pic fresh vegetables.

“Whenever you bring your attention to anything natural, anything that has come into existence without human intervention, you step out of the prison of conceptualized thinking and, to some extent, participate in the state of connectedness with Being in which everything natural still exists.” – Eckhart Tolle

People have been asking if I still have my garden.  The answer is Yes! I love having access to fresh healthy food and spending time in nature brings a peace and stillness to your life that i can not quite describe.

These  are the pictures of what I still have growing through the winter.

I had a late start this year in my garden I usually start in February or March but working on another project I was not able to start until June.
With the extreme heat this past summer I experienced a few crop failures. I have grown the majority of my plants from seed this year. The trees I have bought from various places.
This is my second year having a garden here are some of the things I learned this year:

•  Plants need loose deep soil for plants to grow healthy and strong. If the soil is hard the roots have no where to grow.
• Do not be in a rush! Take time to plan. Healthy soil is important for plant growth this can be achieved through:                                       Composting, Soil amendments: Alfalfa meal, Fish Bone meal, Greensand, Low-nitrogen bat guano, Oyster Shell lime,Soft rock phosphate.
• Make sure your plants are getting the right amount of water. How do you know?  If the soil feels dry or feels like it needs moisture add water. If your soil is soggy or muddy you may be over watering.
• If you choose to grow from seed. Start your seedlings at least a 4-6 weeks advance in planters. This will give you more success growing plants in your garden. It will also be easier for setting up the spacing of your plants
• Do not over crowd your plants.  If you have never grown a fruit or vegetable it is easy to underestimate how much room your plants need. A tomato plant will grow 5 feet up a trellis if it has enough room, pepper plants can grow 3 feet and be bushy.  You need adequate space for them to grow also room for you to access the plant when it becomes time to harvest.

“You need nature as your teacher to help you re-connect with Being. But not only do you need nature, it also needs you.” – Eckhart Tolle

This was my first go at carpentry. I never knew I would enjoy building things so much looking forward to further building projects in my garden.

The thing I love most about having a garden is going out and picking fresh vegetables and making a great breakfast.  I have been making potatoes with mixed veggies covering with bacon and cooking in the oven its delicious.

My garden is a small bit of tranquility that I get to enjoy before I start I start my crazy hectic day. In 3 months I have acquired over 150 plants. Most of my plants have just started bearing fruit. I have an abundance of green tomatoes. Its funny that my garden brings me joy and makes me appreciate nature.

Some people go to therapy I have my garden. When I start my mornings in my garden my day seems to run smoother. Here are pictures of how far my garden has come along. I have learned so much in these past months about gardening. Now I am correcting some of my mistakes. I planted some of my plants to close together this can cause them not to grow as large because they are being deprived of  nutrients that are needed. I have removed three of my tomato plants,1 of my Japanese eggplant and planted back in large potters until I dig more space for them in the garden. I still have more to move but with my new additions in the garden I am running out of planters. Working in the garden is teaching me to be patient. Going to the farmers market has made realize how big my plants will grow and how I am truly in the beginning stages. I have started planting seeds again in small planters but I have learned to wait until the plants are a few months old before transplanting them to keep them from going into shock and possibly killing them. I also am paying attention to proper spacing while planting. I feel this group of seedlings will do very well. I will see in the next few months.