Today we’re visiting with Eva in southern New Hampshire. (See more on her Instagram.)
I’m a 28-year-old mother of two. I’ve been gardening for the last four years. I started off with a small 4-foot-square garden bed and slowly expanded. Now I’m not only gardening in my backyard, but I’ve teamed up with my mom to grow flowers and vegetables at a community garden in Hudson, New Hampshire.
My primary motivation for gardening is to feed my family local, organic food throughout the year. This is challenging, given that we live in Zone 5B, but we have started learning how to preserve food for the winter months.
My favorite crops to grow are greens (collards, kale, amaranth, Swiss chard, mustard greens), tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. A recent favorite is zinnias. I was reluctant to grow flowers because it was such unfamiliar territory, but I’ve come to love them. Plus, they attract bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators!
A lot of what I’ve learned about gardening has been from my mom. She’s an avid gardener who isn’t afraid to take chances and try new things. She has an abundant amount of wisdom. Gardening has given us the opportunity to bond in ways we never could have imagined, and I’m so glad to have family I can share this experience with.
I’ve also gained so much knowledge from the online gardening community, especially Instagram. I’ve met so many kind, knowledgeable, wise, and talented individuals who have so much to share and give the best advice.
Lastly, I’d like to give a big shout out to my husband. He has motivated me, assisted me on countless projects, put up with my antics, and supported me every step of the way.
My goals for the future include learning more sustainable ways of growing food. I would also love to someday work on a farm and down the line to own a farm.
I love inspiring others to grow their own food and to experience the joy of gardening.
These ‘Black Beauty’ tomatoes are almost too pretty to eat.
Eva’s mom with the first big tomato harvest of the season.
A big harvest of the beautiful tomato ‘Costoluto Fiorentino’.
A zinnia in bloom, with a visiting moth.
A handful of jalapeños
A sunflower in bloom, feeding bees and other pollinators.
This unusual tomato, ‘Brad’s Atomic Grape’, is not only beautiful; Eva also says it is by far the best-tasting tomato she’s ever tried.
Harvest from the garden (plus a few gifts from neighbors at the community garden) with beautiful and delicious amaranth greens in the middle.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.
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Comments
Wonderful! And loved your story and send along best wishes to you to hopefully have your own farm some day.
Absolutely wonderful! I love, Love, LOVE everything you are doing!!! May your future brim with abundance!!
Really great! Love this.
Wow, my mouth waters when I see your gorgeous tomatoes! Hard work for sure, but what a bounteous harvest, both in veggies and in your family experience. Best of luck to you and your family!
Those Black Beauty Tomatoes are soooooo beautiful- they even outshine the pretty zinnia photo!
Your photographs are gorgeous! The love of your garden shines in every one!
Wow - those tomatoes and the perfect jalapenos!!! My mouth is watering! Congratulations on such such successful gardens and on providing such beautiful, healthy food to your family and neighbors. A fabulous story all around!
I love your garden story and how you and your family share your strengths.
‘Brad’s Atomic Grape’ tomato sounds so intriguing!
Your photos are not only beautiful but mouth watering. You are an inspiration.
Lovely! What a nice way to connect with friends and family, as well. I also see a LOT of canning in your near future ;-)
Hello beautiful girl! I live in Hooksett, not that far from you. I am so amazed by your wonderful bounty. I wish I was closer so that we could visit
What an uplifting GPOD. Love the photos and the positive message.
Your gardens are bountiful, and your vegetables and flowers beautiful. Thank you for sharing your photos with us. I'm going to have to try the 'atomic grape!' I didn't realize they got so big.
Love these beautiful photos, gorgeous vegetables and the joy of gardening in your Mom's face as she's holding that wonderful collection of tomatoes. More info on the varieties you grow and like best?
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