So, the garden is going well.
We have okra, which I just fried for the first time (not the healthiest, true, but
you know I figure
that's just something an Alabama girl needs to know how to do).

Also had no idea that okra first blooms these awesome flowers!

Squash sprouts little flowers too. Who would've thought?

We tried our hand at building a hoop house this weekend.

Basically, the point is to trap in heat during the winter (to extend growing season) and to filter some of the heat during the summer (so your plants don't cook). We started small and built one over a raised bed, which was actually pretty simple.

All it took was a few 10 foot long 1/2 PVC pipes, a few PVC clamps to secure them to the wood, some heavy plastic, twist ties, and something to clamp the plastic to the poles.

Here we have Dada and Love talking out the details. The idea is to be able to roll up the sides when it is still warm outside, which will give it some airflow, but then have the option to close it up in the winter to trap in heat.

Miss Siyah is checking it out. She's always making sure everything gets watered.

And her brother Meiko, who happens to be excellent at drawing.

I want to get him to help us make some signs and things here soon. Love and I have been thinking about an official name for the garden.

We like Southside Green Thumbs Garden (or just SS Green Thumbs for something shorter).

There seems to be a whole movement in Birmingham promoting urban gardening and even for stores and restaurants to buy local produce. I suppose it is happening in many places, I don't know about other Alabama cities though. I do know that I am growing to love Birmingham. It certainly has it's problems, but there are some seriously cool things going on here. So much potential, and plenty of people here that want to see it grow.

I am hoping for the best! Also plan to do what I can to encourage.