Sharon's blog: Son said

My son suddenly appeared at my door Friday about noon. Now this is a normal occurrence for most people but not for me. My son lives in Indianapolis, very nearly a six hour drive from me, but he has a boat here on Lake Barkley and spends a lot of summer time in my area. Sometimes he's been known to take a Friday off from work.

So he was at my door, all smiles and hugs and he said:  "Mom, I need a garden and I need your help."

Being all practical minded and full of common sense I said:  "Sweet Son, you live in a third floor apartment in the middle of downtown Indianapolis, exactly where do you think a garden will grow?"

"On my balcony!" son said, "just like those big pots of plants you have on your back deck! Will you help?"

I have peppers, tomatoes, basil, rosemary, chives, cilantro, parsley and lots of flowers in pots on my deck but I didn't think he'd noticed.

This son of mine is a pretty good cook, mixes herbs and spices with the best of them, as long as it's done on a grill or in the oven and in aluminum foil. I don't remember that he enjoys cleaning pots or pans. I figured his gardening genes might have finally kicked in so I agreed to help.  My mind was already packing my clothes.

Son said:  "What do I need, Mom, come with me to a nursery and I'll buy everything we need, then you can plant the pots and I'll take them home with me on Sunday."

I mentally unpacked my clothes, gave up on his gardening genes.

We bought the pots, we bought the potting soil and we spent hours deciding on the perfect herbs that would grace his 12' x 12' balcony.  And tomatoes and peppers, I must not forget them. And a few flowers.

Son said:  "Mint, Mom, I need lots of mint!  Mojitos, you know!"

I said, "We don't need to buy mint, my dear, I have tons of it growing at home. I'll be more than happy to share."

We got back to my house long after dark, having stopped along the way to have a bite of dinner and make plans.

The pots, plants and potting materials were unloaded, all lined up on my front walkway in the middle of Friday night.

I spent the day Saturday building a potted garden. I have no idea why he selected red pots, but I remember hearing him mention that he'd place them inside some larger ceramic pots he already had. What he bought here was light weight plastic, easier for him to transport back to Indy and up to his third floor apartment.

He stopped by to pick up his garden yesterday. I heard him before I even knew he was here.

"Wow! Wouldja look at this! My mom built me a traveling garden!"

He called last night, "Mom, the garden's on my balcony! Should I water it now or should I wait till tomorrow and how much water, Mom, how long will it take the peppers to form and you said don't let the mint bloom and what's this green and purple thing again? Not an herb but what did you call it, I can't eat it, can I?"

"Coleus," I said. "The green and purple leafed thing is coleus. It's only for pretty, not for food."

"Thanks Mom! This is the best birthday present ever! I love you!" Son said.

His birthday isn't until September.

It was a good weekend.

6/10/12
Here's the garden, planted on his balcony in Indianapolis. It's an old renovated building and the apartment itself is huge, open, lovely and sunny. The balcony seems to leave a little to be desired, but the plants love it!

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