I recently received the exciting news that my blog, GrowVeg, earned a Silver Award of Achievement from the Garden Writers Association. This recognition is not only a personal honor but also a reflection of the collective effort of our gardening community, including the smart questions you ask that keep me learning and improving. A friend joked, “I suppose this means you know everything now,” but the truth is far from it. Just that morning, I had spent an hour researching a question from a reader about whether onions suppress the growth of peas and beans planted in the same soil. I discovered that onions do inhibit legumes by releasing root substances with herbicidal effects. This explains why I struggle to grow beans after harvesting garlic or onions. However, crops like cucumbers and leafy greens seem unaffected, highlighting the different sensitivities of various plants.
The Silver Award was based on three blog entries from 2012. I didn’t choose the most popular posts, but rather those that showcase the broad range of topics we explore together. “Growing Better Beans” offered practical tips for cultivating beans in your garden. “Permaculture Principles for Vegetable Gardeners” presented a more visionary approach to sustainable gardening. For the third entry, I struggled between two posts: one about the sounds of crickets and another about the importance of garden bees. The judges selected the crickets, and I’m pleased they did.
However, I believe the judges were recognizing more than just my writing. They were honoring the educational value of GrowVeg as a platform for practical food gardening. Our blog fosters a global conversation on edible gardening, where I act as both a teacher and moderator. Over the years, I’ve come to know many of you personally, and your insights continually inspire me to improve.
Another point that stood out to me was the judges’ choice to highlight food gardening rather than landscape gardening. In fact, GrowVeg and my fellow Silver Award winner, Theresa Loe of Living Homegrown, were among the few to focus on edible gardening in this year’s awards. Similarly, in the calendar photography competition, Lynn Karlin’s “Simply Raw” vegetable calendar won, showcasing the beauty of vegetables through striking, gallery-quality images. These victories reflect the increasing appreciation of food gardening as a central part of sustainable living.
When I first started writing about gardens, vegetable gardening was seen as a niche interest. Few were interested in organic food gardening, and I spent years writing about topics like landscaping and pool designs to pay the bills. But these experiences were an important part of my education as a gardener. I learned everything from photography tips—like using a white umbrella on sunny days—to the art of landscape design. These lessons, while seemingly unrelated, have been invaluable in my journey to becoming a well-rounded garden writer.
Ultimately, this broader gardening education has helped shape my belief that food gardens can be both beautiful and productive. I want this philosophy to inspire you, my readers, and encourage you to see your own gardens as a reflection of both art and nourishment. The true measure of my work will always be found in the success and satisfaction of your own gardens.
Happy gardening!