Part II – What we’re Planting
Planting isn’t a new thing for us. We have always had gardens of some kind or other. Even when we were dirt poor, that dirt was put to use growing tomatoes, broccoli, and eggplants. When our daughter was young, we thought we had failed spectacularly at growing cherry tomatoes until we realized she was eating them every day as soon as she got off the school bus. While others may spend discretionary funds on movies, bangles, and cute shoes, ours is always spent on trees, flowers, and vegetables. And so it’s fitting that “Off the Rails Homestead” flourishes in all things green.
One of the first things we installed almost nine years ago was a beautiful circular garden of raised beds and trellises where we grew tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beets, carrots, strawberries, lettuces, cantaloupe, and peas. Unfortunately, we outgrew it after only a few years. Gary started talking about a greenhouse from the beginning. When we realized the garden was too small to produce what we wanted, the first little greenhouse was put up and filled with tomatoes (of course), cucumbers, broccoli, and lettuce. Yields were amazing. Plants soared to the ceiling and tangled in the struts. We acquired a huge 13 foot high tunnel greenhouse next. Gary used his plumbing skills to research and build a hydroponic system for it. And we moved the tomatoes.
South Carolina clay soil isn’t great for in-ground gardens, so we began installing raised beds and using containers. We’re still figuring things out, but so far we’ve grown or are actively growing these:
| Vegetables | Fruit | Herbs | Medicinals |
| Tomatoes | Fig Trees (3) | Rosemary | Marigold |
| Cucumbers | Lemon Trees (4) | Basil | Nasturtium |
| Leaf Lettuce | Orange Trees (2) | Tulsi (Holy) Basil | Calendula |
| Spinach | Peach Trees (2) | Catmint | Chicory |
| Kale | Apple Trees (5) | Oregano | Echinacea |
| Asparagus | Pear Trees (2) | Lemon Balm | Marshmallow |
| Cantaloupe | Cherry Trees (2) | Sage | Yarrow |
| Orange Bell Peppers | Apricot Tree (1) | Chives | California Poppy |
| Jalapeno Peppers | Blueberry Bushes (3) | Lavender | Evening Primrose |
| Habanero Peppers | Moringa Tree (1) | Cilantro/Coriander | Valerian |
| Ghost Peppers | Dill | Bee Balm | |
| Broccoli | Stevia | Chamomile | |
| Cauliflower | Thyme | Feverfew | |
| Peas | Garlic | Turmeric | |
| Green Beans | Ginger | ||
| Beets | |||
| Carrots | |||
| Potatoes | |||
| Sweet Potatoes | |||
| Loofah | |||
| Spaghetti Squash | |||
| Zucchini | |||
| Onions | |||
| Pumpkins | |||
| Radishes | |||
| Summer Squash | |||
| Watermelon |
We’ve learned to save seeds, start seedlings with grow lights, and nurture our plants long after others have finished their seasons. We’ve re-learned how to preserve our harvests for future use, and how to grow enough to be able to share with others. And we’ve learned, above all, how to eliminate the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides while we grow.
Times are changing. America is changing. Suburban homes and lawns are changing. All of them for the better, in my opinion. There are a hundred ½ acre lots in our little Village. OH! The food we could produce!
Vive la revolucion!