DanielleGardenGirl

Danielle Sherry
contributor

When I was 6, I was told that I couldn’t leave the dinner table until all of my broccoli was eaten. My mother woke the next morning to find me sleeping underneath the table, broccoli still uneaten. But, I consider myself one of the lucky ones because my family actually had a vegetable garden while I was growing up, and although I hated to be assigned the chore of weeding it, I quickly learned to appreciate that fresh, homegrown food tasted better than anything you could ever buy at the grocery store.
We had a vegetable garden for several reasons; to save money, to know exactly where our food came from and how it was raised, and to become little more self-sufficient. It didn’t take long for both my brother and I to realize that practically everything (including broccoli) was cooler when it came from your own backyard. Those early life lessons stuck with me, and that is the reason that I still grow broccoli, nearly 23 years later.

gardening interests: Container Gardening, Cooking, Ornamental Gardening, Vegetables, Editor of GROW

Member Since: 03/03/2009


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Chicago City Vegetable Garden

This inner city vegetable garden is located right in the middle of downtown Chicago. It's not often that skyscrapers are in the same picture as corn.

Lemon Verbena Cookies

Sweet lemon verbena cookies are the perfect summer treat.

Video: A Visit to Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa, has been encouraging people to save and share heirloom seeds for 35 years. At their annual conference, we asked attendees "Why do you grow your own food?"

Spinach and Pesto Grilled Pizza

Use fresh spinach from the garden to create this amazing pizza on the grill.

Use Stockings as Plant Ties

Don't wear these horrible itchy things--use them in the veggie garden.

Scenes from Smith's Acres Farm

Smith's Acres is a family farm in Niantic, CT. They've been in business for nearly 30 years, growing some of the best produce along the Connecticut shoreline. Fine Gardening was invited to the farm...



recent comments

Re: W.O.W.... What A Difference!

One of my favorite childhood memories of gardening was the spring that my mother became OBSESSED with getting a ripe tomato before Memorial Day (keep in mind we lived in Connecticut and this was considered crazy-talk). But with the help of a W.O.W and an early-fruiting variety, she did realize her dream. I've been a fan of these garden helpers ever since.

Re: In Praise of Watermelons

Ruth--these photos are so great! I just carved a watermelon whale for my nephew's birthday, (We used a celery stalk for the spout of water coming out of his blow-hole). It was such a hit! Everyone loves watermelon for summer!

Re: Video: Early Pruning of Tomato Plants

I would still do some pruning to your tomatoes at this late date. Although you will be sacrificing some of the flowers and immature tomatoes on the lower branches, it will ensure that the other tomatoes that develop will be strong, big, and disease free. And yes, always eliminate one branch from double branches.