Watch the video:  Green thumbs sprout from weather and economic patterns

I was thrilled when I watched this report on Knoxville’s NBC WBIR this morning featuring my dear friend Tom Whisman.

I first met Tom over 13 years ago, while a student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  I met Tom through his partner Joe (they have now been together going on 40 years!).  Over the years, Joe and Tom have become my surrogate “gay” family.  Explaining my holiday plans each year goes something like this; “well, we go to my parents for a few days, and then we go to our ’second family’ in Knoxville for a few days – the second family is much more fun!”

Tom is one of my main inspirations for experimenting with gardening.  All those years ago, before even contemplating things like plant productivity and trees species, I would stroll through Tom’s serene gardens, pondering their beauty.  His style is more English than French, and he has traveled extensively to visit gardens all around the US and Europe for inspiration and has a library filled with books on the subject.

During our visits, his delicious dinners feature whatever vegetables are in season.  I have to admit that my love of cooking was also birthed in Tom and Joe’s beautiful home.

I have a lot to be thankful for – my wonderful and talented Knoxville family is certainly up there at the top.

Link to the full article:  http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=96057

In May’s issue of Out & About, I wrote about the inspirations I had for starting an urban garden.  To read the article “Cultivating an Urban Green Thumb” click here: http://www.outandaboutnewspaper.com/article/3417

It has been almost three months now since planting the first round of veggies (tomatoes, peppers, basil, mint, thyme, chives, eggplant, okra, fennel, an assortment of lettuces and arugula). The experience has offered countless hours of literally watching my garden grow. I have yet to really enjoy much edible produce from the effort though.  The problem with a small plot is that you don’t necessarily get that much in return.  I consider it more of an experimental garden – a type of showcase for the idea of gardening rather than an actual source of food. I don’t mean to downplay the experience however. It has been a tremendously rewarding, providing me with a profound happiness in the overall endeavor.

So far, I’ve harvested three eggplants and three okra, and of course, lettuces, mint and basil.  I should have tomatoes and bell peppers ready in the next week or so.  Far from self sustaining, but fun never-the-less

The best part of my efforts is that it inspired my neighbors to follow suit.  They took my basic design, which blended well with the architectural style of our townhouse, and altered it to fit their own aesthetics.  Hopefully, over time, everyone in our complex will follow our lead.

For more information on planning an urban garden, visit

http://www.urbangardeninghelp.com/