Green Beans

Well, they're really Limas. But they'll be green because we grew them ourselves. How much more local can you get? Our gardening started when we moved to the country. (It really seemed like the country in 1984, when we built this house. The subdivisions are encroaching now.) My father-in-law, who helped me every day building the house, had a garden in town that was never big enough to suit him. When we moved onto 5 acres, we said, "Come on down!" The produce and the chance to learn from the master paid off. In the years since we lost him we've had more or less garden. Lately we've realized the great green potential of growing our own. I hope to expand our efforts toward that end.

So not everyone has 5 acres to play with. But even if you have a few container plants on a patio or in an apartment, there is great benefit. You get fresh veggies or fruit, save some cash and make a difference in your carbon footprint. We have also found gardening very therapeutic. Give it a try! Volumes of advice are out there on the web.