I am 43 years old and have been gardening for longer than I can remember. My mother got me started as soon as I could push a seed into the ground.
When I moved to Tucson 13 years ago, I had to learn everything all over again because the seasons are so different from Portland, Oregon, where I grew up. I jumped in at the deep end, working for a landscape maintenance company, then for a nursery, and then spent 3 incredible years on the grounds crew at Tohono Chul Park, where I got hooked on native heirloom vegetables.
After Tohono Chul, I intended to go back to school and pursue a degree in plant sciences but got sidetracked growing plants and vegetables for the farmers markets. It was supposed to be a sideline to offset the cost of books and things but ended up being the star attraction, mainly because I could never say 'no' to a seed; I had to grow just 1 more cool thing.
My favorite market is the Santa Cruz River Farmers Market, where I am nearly every week, assuming the truck starts. I specialize in herb starts, with over 40 kinds, but also have an assortment of vegetables, flowers, cactus and succulents.
I hope to return to the St. Philip's Plaza Famers Market soon, and I also sell vegetables and herbs at the consignment booth run by the food bank, recently renamed the Abundant Harvest Co-op.
