For the first time in my life, I live in a home that has real outdoor space. What a concept! There are no downsides to a garden. Back in spring, I made grand plans – I watched all the TikToks, I bought seeds and trays and pots and grow bags, I ordered soil, a trowel and a watering can. I knew what I was after: super-tiny-scale subsistence farming with a side of Zen. A little fruit, a little veg, lots of flowers to attract pollinators. And I knew I wanted my elder child to gain an understanding of how things come to be and how to cope if and when they fail.
We love a tomato side salad, so that was the first thing we attempted. The seedlings flourished and then died in the first heatwave of the season. An omen, surely. The dahlias, ranunculus and freesias refused to grow, let alone bloom. My enthusiasm began to wane.
But then: our first harvest! Three (three!) bright-red Tumbling Tom tomatoes. We halved them, then tossed them in olive oil with some salt and pepper. They were gone in the blink of an eye, but we were grinning as we chomped. Ah, the pleasure of growing something small you can eat. We have sown onions, carrots, lettuce and basil and eagerly await miniature crops as the days get shorter.
At the back of my mind, though, is the very real fear of food shortages. Britain is approaching its sixth climate-crisis-induced heatwave of the year. Drought no longer threatens the country – it’s here. Conflicts around the world have inflated food prices. Is everyone aware of this? And are they in a state of low-grade panic, too?
What was supposed to feel like a fun bonding experience with my kid is morphing into something darker. Our garden has been heavy on trial and error, which feels increasingly like a luxury. Fun over – time to get good at this, fast. I know I’m doing too much, but I’ve started considering Kilner jars at TK Maxx and following homesteaders who grow their own produce. My favourite doomscroll these days is planting calendars and seed catalogues. Send tips, please. See you at the garden centre.
• Bim Adewunmi is a freelance journalist
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