Finding Roots

Peter E.

February 28, 2010 - 7:34 PM

College life is so transient, in flux, and not rooted. I have had three different residences in three years, and before this year I haven't really felt a connection with the Eugene community. However, now that I am nearing my last several months at the U of O, I have finally found a deep connection with the city, culture, and community that I don't want to leave. Nonetheless, it's soon going to be time for me to head to Tulsa, but yesterday I found some permanence in planting a garden.

My girlfriend Melissa and I traveled over to Gray's Garden Center to get some plants. We browsed the aisles for a long while figuring out which early season plants would be best to plant (and in turn eat). I am new to gardening, so it was a learning experience figuring out what we could plant that is appropriate and in season for Eugene's climate. On top of that, Eugene's winter has been unusually warm and sunny the last couple weeks, so it's difficult to predict what is in store for the spring. At any rate, sugar peas were a no brainer because they are ideal to grow this time of year (regardless of weather), but we struggled to decide on some leafy greens and herbs. After much debate we loaded our cart with lettuce, spinach, cilantro, rosemary, and Walla Walla onions.

Upon our return to Melissa's house, we went to work weeding our garden. Up until a couple weeks ago I hadn't realized that Melissa had any possible gardening space, but then she pointed out to me that she has a south-facing raised bed around the side of her house. It's a perfect little space, and the bed already has some lilies blooming (everything is budding and blooming so early this year!). We went ahead and weeded and tilled the soil, taking time to pose for an "American Gothic" picture, and spread some compost (of which I lent some of my own homemade blend).

After the prep work was done we went ahead and planted our crops. With any luck, we should have some produce to harvest in about a month and a half. It was a great way to spend an unusually sunny, warm February afternoon in Eugene. In addition, I learned more about the Willamette Valley hands-on by gardening, and I look forward watching the plants take root.