"It's all business out there," Berny, my beloved lawn guy (he came to my rescue after my two years of push-reel-mowing--see my book for the most documented lawn story in the U.S.), said to me the other day in response to seeing how I had changed up my backyard garden. This little comment was the big "aha" of the week. That's because, as I like to say, the garden resembles the gardener. A few of my friends were a little upset at me for "going all row on them" after being Miss-Free-Spirit for years. I thought of them yesterday when I planted seeds, one by one, in little straight lines, evenly spaced, not with my usual twirl-and-toss scatter method. What on earth has become of me?
Well, it's all business. First of all, I've learned a lot in the last few years about what's possible. Two pounds per square foot. And that's not even a stretch. I was hitting these numbers at the gardens I've helped start, but wasn't hitting them at home (although 400 pounds last year was nothing to sneeze at--but 2,000 pounds is my potential). Yes, I know, that's because I let all kinds of other things grow, but I'm trying to build my bridge to the future (see my Eat Pray Love hope chest here, if you missed it) and I want to now start transitioning the garden to a more permaculture model that requires less maintenance. And step one is getting it in order. Trust me--it will probably start meandering again by May. You know how I am.
But secondly, I'm currently working on a different sustainability story--my business. In the 16 years I've been running my professional writing studio, I've lost so many clients to the economy, first because of 9/11, and then three publications for which I wrote folded, and then, most recently, my big bread-and-butter corporate client closed its national operations, which shut down my projects. I've always managed before (I trust the journey explicitly), but it requires singular focus on business survival, and that means it's all business for me right now:
* Also, FYI, fellow business owners, the most exciting social media tool I've used lately is, believe it or not, Pinterest! The New York Times ran an article last week that says Pinterest is experiencing the fastest growth of any social media tool, and I can tell you that things posted on it spread like wildfire. If you haven't tried it yet, here are two business uses for it: your portfolio, and bonus features of something you've already published (see bonus photos from Food for My Daughters here).* If you need a professional writer for your publication or company, please contact me or pass my info on to someone else who might. Self-employed writers who lose their clients due to the economy don't get severance packages or unemployment benefits. They just stop getting paid. I've learned over the years to be honest, and to simply ask and "put it out there" when there's a need, and surprisingly unexpected things happen. Here's my LinkedIn profile. Here's my portfolio. I could use your help. Thank you.
I'm also really committed to supporting other small businesses, not only because I know how much more money this puts in the local economy (see so a city councilman strolls into a barber shop here), but because I know how they feel. I took my friend Mike's mead-making class last weekend for this reason. The guy is trying. He has come a long way, and he is hoping to open a meadery, for goodness sake. And besides, it just seems so Beowulf or something to learn how to make mead (and those are the kinds of quirky pursuits I like). And, of course, I'm working on a article about it now, so, you see, it all works together.
Okay, so let's get down to business about growing food. Yes, in answer to those who have been contacting me (thanks for remembering this!), it is time to start the sweet potato slips! This one's simple. You take an organic sweet potato and stuff it in a glass of water, as pictured. I don't even use toothpicks. It may take a month or more, but it will start sprouting. The sprouts will grow roots. Come late May, you snap them off and plant them. You can get 5-7 pounds of sweet potatoes per slip. They are perfect for school gardens as they need little to no care over the summer. They are also perfect for growing for those in need, as they tend to be ready for harvest right when we have a lull between summer and fall crops, and they are pound-heavy and nutrient-dense.
Next, potatoes. Here in Atlanta, it's time to plant them now, no matter what else you're being told. If you wait too much longer, our spring gets too hot too soon for them. Click here to view the 4-minute tutorial about planting potatoes I taped for you on what I do.
Finally, the bottle garden update. Two months ago, I didn't think I could do it. Now, I have more than 40 vases on their way to the artists to be painted, and 35 bottles ready for the semi-hydroponic set-up (they are all to raise money for a currently-unfunded food pantry garden). I'm running three tests on new methods. And I have learned a shocking amount about glass--and about asking for help (a whole team of people have been donating the bottles and de-labeling them so that I could cut them). Mostly, I've learned I'm more persistent than I realized. See here for a video on how I cut the bottles.
I posted a status update on Facebook yesterday that said, "when in doubt, plant" because, frankly, that's the action I always take when I'm not sure what to do next. Someone commented, "That should be a t-shirt." Well, guess what? Now it is. You can order your organic t-shirt (two styles for men, several styles for women) here (please note the saying is on the back of the shirt, which I find provokes more conversations). 
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