Although my mom kept a small vegetable garden in the outskirts of Seattle, I don't recall doing anything other than pick and eat raspberries as a child. Mom's garden beds were narrow regimental straight beds around the perimeter of the yard and Dad (ex-Marine drill instructor) regularly mowed anything that dared to cross the soil/grass line. I lived in my first house for 7 years and only recall planting nasturtiums (grossly engulfed with aphids) and the stray tomato. The house was tiny, the yard tinier, and I don't really recall any foundation planting when I moved in. Was likely pretty sterile looking.
Pregnant with our first son, we quit our city jobs, and moved to a small rural community an hour north of the city, purchasing undeveloped acreage with the thought of living off the land. This was back in the 70s when Mother Earth News was a subsistence magazine and REI was a local outdoors equipment co-op in the basement of a warehouse. Over the ensuing 30 plus years, we cultivated a large vegetable garden, planted numerous fruit trees, raised all sorts of farm animals, and slowly built a house (7 year cash project). Eventually I became aware of and interested in flowering plants, which now pretty much consume my spare time. I've never looked back with any regret, and have learned an overwhelming amount about horticulture.
So, definitely First Generation, and hoping I've inspired my boys to become Second Generationers!
