5 Aug 2010

Hello

by Marisa Bowe

I always had a black thumb. I killed every house plant I ever had.

Then, ten years ago or so, I decided I wanted flowers around my Brooklyn apartment. I bought some cheap window boxes and containers, hardware to install them, potting soil, and seeds. To my shock, they sprouted. Then they grew, and - shock number two - put out flowers.

I've been doing it (almost) annually since then. Every year, I'm certain my seeds won't sprout. But despite my being a far from great or even knowledgeable gardener, they do so anyway. Not all of them - but enough.

Last year, I joined a community garden in my neighborhood. So now I garden in two spots, here and on my fire escape: