Fashion may be my first love, but my second favorite thing about Memorial Day is gardening. When I was growing up, my dad loved to plant vegetables in the backyard (never flowers or fruit, just veggies. Gosh, that man was practical). Some years he was more ambitious than others, but there was always a little something growing. Over the winter, when it was super-cold and everyone was a bit cabin-crazed from snow, he’d thumb through the Burpee’s catalog and discuss what seeds we should buy. The order would usually show up by Passover and some time during Memorial Day weekend, he’d grab the rototiller and start the soil, following the guidelines for a Zone 5.

I still live in that zone and stick to those guidelines, but my sister, who lives in South Florida, can plant in February! She grows amazing mangoes, pineapples, shrimp flowers, and all kinds of exotic things that don’t work here in New England. I stick to basics like tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce, peas, and peppers. I don’t grow potatoes, watermelon, or corn due to a lack of space.

Anyone else who’s dealing with a small space should try container gardening. After experimenting with both traditional and container, I truly prefer containers—no digging into hard, rocky soil; the ability to plant upwards, and it’s much easier on the back, too.

Like any hobby, it’s best to start small. Half a dozen containers is plenty. If properly tended, they will produce a surprising amount of food, saving money on groceries, especially if you plant organics (I do).

After my dad, my biggest gardening inspiration is Eliot Coleman. His Four Season Farm, located in Harborside, Maine, is known worldwide. I was lucky enough to have toured it in person a while back, and anyone who’s ever in that area, should definitely go. It is incredible!

What’s growing in your garden?