Intention Meets Action - Getting Started

There is never a right moment to make a start whatever that may relate to. Some things happen by chance, others take a long period of planning and preparation. Generally, it comes down to the fact of just making a start - that particular moment in which intent is coupled with action.

My moment came on the 1st of September 2012. Maybe symbolic of a new life as it was the first day of Spring or perhaps, the warmer weather inspired me to spend more time outdoors. Whatever the reason, I thought to myself: "This is it."

I referred to my Canberra Gardener's book which told me I could now plant silver beet and lettuce. How hard could that be?

My mission was to make greenery grow. Even if I only planted one vegetable, I would look after it to the best of my ability so that I could learn how the plant grows, what care is required and have the satisfaction of seeing it produce.

I went to the local horse stables in Pialago Avenue, Pialago and bought a couple of big white bags of well seasoned horse manure for $5 each. On the way home, I stopped at Bunnings Warehouse and bought a punnet of very colourful rainbow spinach because it looked pretty; a punnet of chicory, because mum suggested it; 4 pots of alpine strawberries (the entire stock) because they reminded me of my youth spent in the Dolomite's, the alps in northern Italy, where these strawberries are abundant; a punnet of rocket and a punnet of cos lettuce.

I decided to fill two wooden vegetable planter boxes located underneath the front stairs with these exciting new berries and salads.

The soil was prepared with the manure, levelled and the plants added in straight rows. I labelled each row using the tags from the punnets and pots so I would remember what I had planted and where. I covered one planter with a mini green house my brother had made good use of and subsequently discarded.

Each morning I watered these two boxes. Even in the still cold weather and occasional frost the plants kept growing at a good pace. In no time, I had a miniature salad garden. No pests, no diseases, just green juicy lettuce and spinach.

I was proud of my achievement and no longer was satisfied at nursing just two planter boxes. I knew I was destined for greater things and was too ambitions for being content with only a few salad leaves. I set off hunting around the house for suitable spots where I could plant other vegetables and found it...

A levelled plot in front of the kitchen. A plot abandoned and overgrown with an old native bush and clay soil. Poor Matthew (my husband, a big tall bloke and dedicated computer gamer), seemed as though he had been sentenced to forced labour. After I cut the ugly shrub, Matt cleared the weeds and turned over the soil with yet another two bags of horse manure purchased from Pialago.

Now, what to plant....?