I really don’t know much about farming, and I don’t think I have
a green thumb. My understanding of garden ecology, crop rotation and soil
analysis is fuzzy, but I do love going to Farmer’s markets and buying
everything from exotic beets to cardoons. (I especially like
the lunghi variety from Italy.)

Anyway, I have taken it upon myself to get an education in
agriculture, and I’m going to begin by planting my own garden. (Yes, I’m a bit
late, I know, but my book has taken precedence over everything.) 

 While most first-time gardeners would probably start by planting
simple things like herbs, salad greens and radishes, I’ve opted for Heirloom
Vegetables. A
mistake?  We’ll see. I’ve selected Precoce
d'Argenteuil Asparagus, Bull's Blood Beets, Listada De Gandia Eggplant, Copia
and White Queen Tomatoes, Lemon Basil, Laxton's Progress No. 9 Garden Peas, and
Lunar White and St. Valery Carrots.   

If any of you have words of wisdom about gardening,
fertilizing or pest management, feel free to share!  I am soliciting advice.

Of course, I’m so excited about my upcoming “harvest,” that I’ve
begun searching for recipes that will make the very best use of my homegrown
produce. And if my gardening efforts turn out to be a mammoth failure, you ask?
Then I’ll execute Plan B:  resume
trips to the Farmer’s market.