Bandit Gardening

This past April, I was seized with a great urge to plant seeds and see what I could grow to eat in my apartment. It is an experiment of sorts, as I have never had a garden before and see this as an opportunity to learn about growing food with what I had available. 
The choice was easy--peas. Here in Denmark, ærter, or peas, eaten fresh and straight from the pod, is a traditional treat. Right now, fresh, Danish peas are going for about 100 kr a kilo (about 14 dollars)and I must say that it is worth the investment if freshness and tastiness is important to you. I must admit that it truly has been a magical experience witnessing the seeds sprout and grow. It was relaxing to spend time observing their growth and I definitely learned a few things. 
First of all, it makes sense that growing plants in a potted environment is not optimum. Potted environments, by its very nature, has limited resources, which of course gets used by the growing plant. I'm sure this can be balanced with some brilliant calculations with regards to adding natural fertilizers etc. Another thing I would do differently is of course, not to grow in plastic. I'm sure it is not life-threatening, but growing my plants in an organic environment just makes more sense to me. 
I not only planted peas, but carrots and pea flowers. I am curious about the various vegetables I could get going in my apartment...so far the carrot heads continue to grow and look lively. It will interesting to see the results...
I've also got my kids into growing things as well. It's interesting to see the natural interest most children have with all things nature. If a child fears nature, it is because he or she is unfamiliar to it. Once you build a relationship to nature, and is able to observe the natural flow of things, your confidence in the order of the universe strengthens. The other night I watched the shadow of the earth as it crept across the moon, and wondered what a different world this would be, if we all took time to contemplate the stars, plants and animals that we have inherited. 
Right now my pea plants are bearing about 20 pea pods. My son and I have tasted a couple of them. My son said it's the best peas he's ever tasted. But I can see that they will not last long...the lower leaves are paling and the tallest plant (I planted about 14 of them which all line up in front of my window)shows yellowing on the very top. I suspect this has to do with lack of nutrients. I have also observed what looks like little black specks of dirt under the leaves--possibly aphids? I've been meaning to bring a ladybug home (I read that they are great eaters of aphids and the other day, one landed right on me!). So perhaps I will be able to test this natural pest-controller. 





bandit garden 2012





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