HiveComb

      I remember the wonder I felt as a child watching Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. The door swung open and there was this beautiful hidden garden that was entirely edible! Who wouldn't want that? Well, minus the gross chocolate waterfall.

      My parents had a garden. One along the fence lines when we lived in the city and a much larger one once we moved out to the sticks. When I moved out, I was able to have buckets with tomatoes, strawberries, and spearmint on the patio of my ex-boyfriend's parent's house. Now, I have small garden of my own and also a section of our community garden.

      Though they're small, I'm grateful for them. I have more than many others do. They yield a lot of vegetables and fruits and are beautiful to look at. (While fun to play on, I've never spent hours admiring a lawn.) I can't help but wish that these gardens were BIGGER. Not simply a section of the yard or field but spanning the entirety of the property!

      I've explained to my partner that edible landscaping wouldn't have to mean utilitarian rows of herbs and vegetables. He knows me enough to know that I'd go crazy with what I'd plant if left to my own choices. So, I've been slowly sneaking in plants. Where I can, I integrate food plants in the place of unproductive ones. Lettuce, spinach, parsley and basil are lovely when interspersed among roses, pansies, and lavender. Tomatoes, peppers and peas cover the sight of our neighbors chain link fence.

      It's a far cry from the garden that I have in my mind. That's alright, I'm happy with how much I have. Besides, there's still time. Maybe someday I'll be able to create the garden of my dreams. Something purely from my imagination.

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