It’s Organic!

‘It’s truly organic’ says Gary answering to my question. ‘I used just a little salt against pests but there is nothing chemical here – maybe apart of rain. Rain – only that could be chemical’ he laughs.

I am having a quickie interview with Gary for the Magazine in regard of his role as a Garden’s Guardian and Gardener. We are both looking at the lavish, promising plants. In a few months dark and neglected, bushy and full of nettles backyard changed its appearance into a neat and clear pampered garden with a place for BBQ. Definitely, it’s a “Wow!” moment for me. Apparently, vegetables do not originate from supermarkets but grow in fields and gardens. I have a feeling of approaching a mystery of nature, which, myself being a city boy, I might be never able to fully fathom.

‘When did you start this garden?’ I ask

‘Well, it started in February with Mark who had lived here. I had been helping him.’ Gary explains. ‘When he moved out I took it over. And now – look!’ He beams proudly.

‘It’s wonderful! Did you have some help from the staff?’ I want to know.

‘Yes, Steve helped quite a lot. At the beginning he was running this project, I mean, he was responsible for it as a staff member.’

‘What about other clients?

‘Some of them helped me as well. For example, together with John we weeded the garden.’

‘Great. So what do we have here?’ I ask

‘Tomatoes, carrots, Brassica oleracea, baobab…’
'Brassica oleracea?'
'Yes, Brassica oleracea, you know, cabbage'

I decide it is a time for a joke. ‘And where do you grow marihuana?’ I ask.

‘Oh no, there is nothing like that here’ Gary smiles. ‘Only good, legal stuff; I mean, plants.’

‘You put quite a bit of effort into this garden. How do you feel about it? ‘

‘You know, it was the first time in my life when I have done something like that. It’s very therapeutic. It feels different when you take care of garden and watch how it grows. And it is not just for me but also for others. We had a barbecue here already at least once. It feels great and it has been very helpful, very therapeutic.’

MG