Photo: Pexels
Living in the Middle East, I discovered a new hobby right on my apartment balcony – gardening. I know what you're thinking.... what is she thinking? in the desert? I wanted to be more independent and feel closer to nature, so I decided why not? and tried to give it a shot. Little did I know that this experience would be full of highs, lows, and a lot of patience.
With some seeds and a lot of excitement, I kicked off my gardening journey beginning of last year or so. Seeing those first tiny plants sprout brought me so much joy. It felt like I had a special connection with these little guys. Armed with a handful of seeds from my local grocery store, I eagerly started this green adventure with dreams of cultivating my own oasis in the desert. Lavender, Calendula, Rosemary, Tomato, Chilly, Cucumber & Dill (You can find it online as well, mine were from a brand called ZORZI) were among the first seeds that I planted in egg cartons filled with soil and wanting to create an ideal environment, I fashioned a mini greenhouse using plastic saran wrap and poked ventilation holes. Witnessing the first signs of life as the seeds sprouted into delicate seedlings brought an so much excitement and joy. It was as if a connection had been forged between me and these tiny, little beings.
BBBut..... - The hot and dry weather here didn't make things easy. Despite my best efforts, some of my plants couldn't handle the tough conditions and ended up drying out. Losing the plants I had worked so hard to care for was really tough, but it only made me more determined to figure out how to make my balcony garden thrive. There were definitely some bumps along the way. Some seeds didn't even sprout, and I wondered if it was the wrong time or if the seeds were just not good. But instead of giving up, I saw these moments as chances to learn and do better next time.
I'm not giving up. I'm giving it another shot, trying to learn with the lessons from my first attempt. I'm hopeful that this time my balcony will turn into a green paradise. I can't wait for the day when I can proudly show off the results of my hard work.
More than just a hobby, taking care of these plants has become something personal. Each leaf and bud is a little piece of my effort and determination. The connection I've built with my balcony garden goes beyond just planting – it's a deep bond with nature and the simple joys of watching things grow.
So - My balcony gardening adventure here is an ongoing story, written in the language of soil, sunlight, and waiting, LOL. Despite the challenges, I'm determined to make it work and see my gardening dreams come true. It's not just about plants; it's about my need to feel connected to the green world. Hopefully, one day, I will manage to have a little garden and greenhouse, where I can grow my fruits and vegetables - whenever and at an arm's reach.
Photo: Wix
Stay tuned for more updates on my balcony gardening journey – a story of resilience for both nature and the gardener. Let's see, I will try this again, write my notes of what works and what doesn't. I will also try to document my journey; I probably will invest in a little glass greenhouse from Ikea. Wish me luck! And what do you guys think? Am I way over my head? Lol
Love Sarina xx
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