Welcome to Eat Food You Grow! I’m Colleen, a writer and vegetable gardener simply trying to grow more food at home, and hoping to empower you to eat food you grow, too.

Eat Food You Grow is here to share what I have learned about growing vegetables — and what I am still learning— with you.

If you’re sitting on the fence, wondering if your world might be greener with a vegetable garden, why not try? Make the short leap and join me. Start with reading this post to find out what you should know before starting. Use the How To page to learn simple ways to grow various vegetables. Check out my other posts to read tips, learn more, and find inspiration.

I have been a vegetable gardener for over 25 years. I don’t know everything about growing food. But I know that growing your own vegetables can be simple and it doesn’t have to be a time-sucker.

I grow, write, and read on the beautiful shores of the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia — in zone 9a of the Pacific Northwest. I live with my husband, the brilliant builder of cool things, and the kazillion worms of our tiny worm farm and gardens. That’s right, a worm farm. I’ll tell you about that in a blog post.

What’s there to love about growing vegetables?

If you’re like me, scattering seeds, massaging the soil in your hands, and harvesting food is good for your mind and soul.

And who doesn’t love the convenience and fun of digging up fresh potatoes or picking peas, lettuce, squash, and beans?

What about the tastier and healthier food, and improved physical and mental health?

Oh, and the time spent with backyard wildlife? I have shared our backyard with birds, insects, deer, bears and a cougar. Yes, a cougar. Once. I was on the deck, far enough away to feel like I wouldn’t be mistaken for dinner. I’m keeping cougar on that list of backyard wildlife because I know that cougar, and probably others, will visit again.

When I’m not in the garden getting my fingernails dirty, I’m likely at my computer writing or reading or learning about growing more food.

When I’m relaxing, I’m reclining on my patio lounge, dreaming about ways to convince my husband to build more garden beds. Maybe I should call them something other than garden beds. What if I ask him to make a horseshoe pit, and then…oops…I turn the pit into a stawberry patch?

Growing food just makes me happy. Writing about growing food makes me happier. Inspiring YOU to grow food makes my heart sing. La la la la!

May you find joy, health, and simplicity in your own earthly growing adventures as you Eat Food You Grow with me.

Still not sure? Come on, jump the fence, and give it a grow.