I am now A Proud Plant Mom!

If you drive up to my house, you will easily assume a plant lover lives there.  And you would be, well, sort of correct.  There is hardly any room left on my sizable porch to get to my two deck chairs.  But how did this self professed backyard farmer become the latest proud plant mom?  Blame it on the pandemic I say, lol.

It was the end of the summer, and we were slowly getting out of strict lockdowns.  We were back in the office and routines were starting to return.  For me it was time to return to my vegetable garden for my weekly planting therapy. 

Everything was going great in my backyard vegetable garden, and I was happy. You see, gardening for me is very therapeutic and I especially enjoy eating what I grow. However, I was in for a rude awakening.  While we were in lockdown all iguana culling had ceased.  And I would soon learn that those iguanas prospered in their freedom. 

Box Gardening

When I moved to Cayman, top on my list for the ideal home was a space for a bit of backyard gardening.  As soon as I was settled into my apartment, I was on the go.  Planter boxes were built, and I had selected the ideal location for them in my backyard.  Weekends would find me tilling the soil, weeding, or just hanging out with my plants.  

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Prior to the lockdown, life was idyllic for this farmer girl.  The iguana culling programme was very successful. The feral chickens were no match for me. I had learnt early to secure my boxes with chicken wire. Then one Saturday morning I came outside, only to see stalks where I had sweet potatoes growing in a pot.  I could not hold back the tears.  This was the last straw for me. They had already ate all the leaves from my carrots and Pak choy. I was powerless against these iguanas on the loose.  I did not know how to protect my crops without building a secure iron fence with heavy metal mesh to keep them out. 

My spirit was broken, and depression was setting in.

Hello New Plant Mom!

Prior to the pandemic, I owned exactly 3 house plants.  And I had an empty porch perfect for exercising during the lockdown.  My need to till the soil was unbearable.  Before I knew what was happening, I was in the garden store picking up just one house plant to cheer me up.  As a result, this led me to A L Thompson to get a pot for it, and that’s how it started.  One simple trip became an obsession.  I had found a new love and had long given up on the vegetable garden as I was getting my fix elsewhere. 

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Almost a year later, there are plants in every available corner of my apartment.  And there is hardly any room left on my porch for another plant.  I have managed to carve out a path to my porch chairs where I can sit and enjoy their company.  And yes, I am still buying, but now I am also propagating.  Yeah me.  Suffice to say I am now the crazy plant lady, but you can call me Plant Mom. 

What have you been up to in this period of confinement? How are you finding joy?

As always I would love to hear from you in the comments or whatever means you feel comfortable. And thank you for coming along the journey with me.