Besides gluttony, the reason I’ve been enjoying growing stuff on the urban farm is that I have to use a bit of ingenuity to outsmart Texas’ weather patterns and to counter my own lack of knowledge. Luckily making something out of ether is something I’ve been doing professionally for years.

watermelon vine being held up with a type of netting used to keep birds from eating vegetables or fruit (it was purchased for the tomato plants)

You might see a stick. I see a stake for my weak and windblown brussels sprouts.

You might see a tomato cage. I turn it upside down and it’s adding support for the romanesco broccoli.

You might see a garden statue of a little pig. I see it as an anchor to keep the frost cloth down one more night.

a quick “fence” made to prevent George from lounging on beet seedlings

I often don’t know I need a tool, a support, a cover, or something else, until it’s 7 pm on a Sunday. Or in the case of a spontaneous cold front, 9:30 pm. And at that point I don’t really want to go anywhere. So kitchen items, yard ornaments, burlap, beach towels, bits of string, get pressed into service. It’s not always an elegant solution, but it’ll do until stores open, weather changes, or harvest time comes.

Creativity is just about looking at things differently. Trying to figure out a solution when there’s none in plain sight. It’s not always about a big idea. Sometimes little ones save the day…or in my case, the plants.

“trellis” made for pole bean crop

This year as I plan the spring garden, I’m hoping to increase the amount beauty while decreasing the McGivver-ing. Don’t worry, I’ll post photos.