Up to the big leagues (for gardening, that is)

What a difference a few seasons can make. Below is a picture of the front slice of the property we're renting here in Kigali. This picture was taken in July of 2011, when we first visited the site and settled up as new renters for August. As you can see, it used to be a garden at some point, but sadly, neglect and dry seasons can take their toll. Eventually, it just became an easy place for the owner to burn trash. Such a shame. However, upon seeing this space, which is roughly 900 sq.ft, I had a feeling there could be life anew. All it needed was some TLC, some seeds, fertilizer and probably a new gardener. With my gardening appetite only begun, I felt up to the challenge. Good thing I brought plenty of seeds from the States!

...8 months later...

...and 2 months later (about 3 weeks ago).

Ok, so I had to bring in a few bundles of bamboo. Turns out that squash, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, peas and tomatoes like trellises. But before the bamboo made its appearance, I did plenty of prep work planning, turning the soil and laying out all the rows.

Forestin (above) helped me turn a lot of the soil and added fertilizer to the rows.

Slowly, as the weeks rolled by, the plants began to show their faces. That's when the trellises began to rise up as well for the summer squash, butternut squash, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, pole peas, bush beans, cantelope and watermelon.

Sweet Corn


Cantelope


Sunflowers





Okra (with gorgeous white and yellow blossoms).





Butternut Squash





Zucchini





Cucumber


Summer Squash


Grow baby grow!

Meanwhile, in the backyard, it was time for Round 2. All of the first crops had run their course, so it was time for some new guys to get in there. The basil and jalepenos held their ground, but I added sunflowers, arugula, prize head lettuce, bell peppers and another crop of romaine lettuce and cilantro.