Gigi and I have a long way to go before we fulfill our suburban micro-farm dream. It’s not just that we don’t have the land or the livestock for an urban farm . . . we don’t have a clue, either. Our tomatoes are being attacked by a nocturnal horde of either beetles or looper caterpillars as we helplessly spray organic potions on our sad little lacerated leaves.

Okay, it’s not that bad, but we are definitely encountering a learning curve when it comes to dealing with non-beneficial organisms (aka bugs)  this year. I’d like to say we’re getting a handle on things, but actually Gigi appears to be losing her grip. Today she hatched a plan to sleep outside and ambush the little critters so we’ll know for certain the face of our enemy.

Just a few minutes ago she walked in with a little critter in her hand. When I could not definitively identify it she walked out the door mumbling “If you’re beneficial I hate to kill you, but” (insert squishing sound here).

We’re not at all like this awesome soil scientist who manages his 2 acre farm in a perfect symphony of seasons and cycles. We’re more like a high-school garage band, trying to find our rhythm and hit a few good notes. Oh, but those notes are so very sweet . . . a perfectly ripe tomato fresh off the vine, the fragrant aroma of hand crushed basil, the spicy kick of garlic chives in a summer salad.

It’s going to be worth it all. Someday we will find a house, we will plant a HUGE garden, and hopefully we can raise some chickens at least. And if for some reason it doesn’t work out, we can always eat fried worms.Similar Posts:

• How to Eat Fried Worms

When I was growing up one of my favorite books was How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell. I don’t remember anything about the book except how amused I was by the idea of eating worms. Not that I ever have, I swear. Okay, I don’t swear. Not because I am being dishonest. I am just trying to stop swearing. Apparently it only takes one well-placed adjective for a kid to latch on and repeat. Ouch.

Worms and I Go Waaay Back

In the fifth grade I did my science project on worms. My teacher, Mrs. Huffine, was really pretty and liked worms so I did it to impress her. Well, mostly. Apparently, I like worms, too. Not as much as my mom, though. About two years ago she began vermicomposting. We feed our kitchen scraps to worms living in two bins and then collect the compost they make for our garden.

Worm casts . . . contain five times more nitrogen, seven times more phosphorus, and 11 times more potassium than ordinary soil, the main minerals needed for plant growth, but the large numbers of beneficial soil micro-organisms in worm casts have at least as much to do with it. The casts are also rich in humic acids, which condition the soil, have a perfect pH balance, and contain plant growth factors similar to those found in seaweed. There’s nothing better to put in your garden! –  JourneytoForever.org

I have to admit, even with my childhood love of worms I think this is kind of gross. It’s one of those city girl things I have to get over. I made some progress this week when Katie, Gigi and I headed over to Green Mama’s to buy some supplies for our ultra-mini garden.

Personally, I think individuals with grand dreams that don’t have any real life experience connected those dreams may be very shocked if they ever get what they think they want. Transitioning ideals from theory to practice often brings a litany of rude awakenings. Some little girls may want to raise horses until they realize they can’t stand the smell of stables. Others love Farmville on Facebook but hate actual dirt.

If we are going to buy land, goats and chickens I want to know ahead of time that I am cut out for this life.

Live the Dream!

I have a big dream, and just because I can’t live it the way I want doesn’t mean I am going to just sit in my aforementioned suburban neighborhood and drool over chicken coops online. Zoning laws prevent me from putting chickens and goats in my backyard, so I make a point to do what I can here (like gardening) and visit local farms as often as I can to get a feel for how things really work. This year, to accommodate the teeny-tiny amount of extra time we currently have, we started our itsy-bitsy garden. We added tomatoes to our current staples: thyme, oregano, garlic chives and mint. Everything is in portable pots in case we sell our house ; – )

My Beloved Green Mama’s

If you’re anywhere near North Richland Hills and interested in gardening, you MUST check out Green Mama’s. I have yet to find a store more knowledgeable about soil and plant health in the area. Plus, they offer free classes!

I especially love their herb and veggie greenhouse. Each plant has been carefully selected based on its ability to thrive and produce in Texas’ super-hot climate. Their sweet basil is a favorite in our house. It should be arriving any day now. I can’t wait to get it planted and start counting the days until we make homegrown pesto!

Somebody is excited about tomatoes!

. . . and worms

Seriously, I thought she was going to eat this one!

Maxwell, totally unphased by all the fun we’re having.

All finished until the sweet basil arrives!

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• If you’re beneficial I hate to kill you, but . . .