The days get hotter quicker, and my work effort get shorter in mid-July. So, after I trimmed some tomato plants and pulled a few weeds I decided to call it for the day. To multi-task and to can take cardio exercise off my to do list, I started to walk through and around the community garden. I was able to enjoy all the natural beauty that was on display. At the same time, I was able check out what my fellow gardeners got going on. After walking down, the second aisle I began to see a pattern. Almost every plot has the same inhabitants, tomatoes, summer squash (yellow and green) peppers and a few melons.

Of course, there were a few that interplanted marigolds, zinnias and nasturtiums. However, for the most part all was basically growing the same produce. A lot of which ends up in the freebie bin because we grew more than we can use.

A thought came to mind. What if I practiced growing what is not usually grown. Such as parsnips, corn, lima beans, black eye peas, okra, sweet potatoes. Also, cabbage, broccoli, turnips and collards. Throw in a few honey dews and watermelons. Most are cool season vegetables and a few warm season crops. I could trade any extra for the vegetables that others had tons of and can’t use. This will cut back on waste and help use utilize our precise space more efficiently.