My little yard is teeming with life, and I couldn’t be more excited. In addition to new shoots, leaves, buds, and blossoms, I have also seen an increase in wildlife - flies, slugs, snails, caterpillars, bees, birds, lizards, and tons of tiny soil helpers that I can’t identify. I wake up each morning eager to see what the new day has brought to my little backyard ecosystem. Be it a new pest or predator, or a little sprout just poking it’s delicate green head out of the rich brown soil, each morning offers something new for me to marvel at.

For each successful planting that transforms from seed to sprout I become more fanatical about growing food. As a result, I have veered from my original neat and tidy square foot planter box design, to a free-for-all guerrilla garden - sneaking plants into the lawn when no one is looking.  Along the backyard fence I dug up some weeds, and put in twenty-three sunflower seeds that I got from Project Mason Bee.  I justified my assault on the grassy backyard by planting only in the holes that had previously been empty or occupied by weeds, thereby doing nothing to harm the lawn.  Hopefully my landlord will agree with my logic.  Of course being slightly mad with the thrill I couldn’t stop there.  Once the first few sunflower babies popped up, I planted a dried bean from my pantry in each of the holes.  A few days later I went back in and placed either an anise or cumin seed from my spice drawer in each of the holes.  Along the fence in the front yard, I planted peas plucked from a live snow pea interspersed with some petunia seeds that I got in the mail.

I have no idea if any of the new seeds will be productive or if the plants could possibly grow in such close proximity if they did all manage to sprout, but at this point I am so amped up that I can’t be bothered to worry about the fine details. My spastic planting has also invaded my container box and four large plastic pots that I got for free from Craigslist.   A few days ago I noticed some buds in one of my pots, and realized that I have no idea what it is.  Only time will tell whether my newest buds will find their way to my dinner table or the compost pile, but either way, I am happy as a clam, just soaking up the Spring.

The premier episode of the Socalocavore video series explores the backyard market garden of San Diego resident Paul Reeb. In addition to a tour of the vineyard and vegetable garden, we learn how his integrated greenhouse and fishpond recycles water while providing nutrients for the plants and clean water for the fish. Going beyond edible landscaping, this small but bountiful garden is even able to supply produce for local restaurant Tender Greens.