While her garden is far from being the largest in Iola, Patty Harris may have the most efficient. HARRIS GREW up in Madison and moved to Iola about 40 years ago.
In about 20 containers squeezed in behind her Cedarbrook apartment in north Iola, Harris has planted a wide range of vegetables — tomatoes, yellow squash, green beans, onions, sweet potatoes, even eggplant.
“I’ve gardened all of my life and when I moved into my apartment four months ago I wasn’t sure I still would be able to,” said Harris, 59.
After checking, she found containers holding vegetable plants were allowed, but were restricted to a gravel strip about two feet wide that borders the back side of apartments.
Harris seized on the opportunity and through friends and relatives accumulated containers of several sizes, from small ones originally holding cat litter to one of about a yard diameter that came from a farm.
“I did it for fun,” Harris observed. “I’m no expert on container gardening, but I would have one piece of advice: Drill a hole in the bottom of containers so water can get out and won’t stagnate.”
Her harvest has started. Harris particularly enjoys having fresh green beans, tomatoes and bell peppers grace her table.
“I want to pickle some green beans,” Harris added, explaining why she planted dill in one small container.
In addition to vegetables, Harris has several pots containing flowers, which she and neighbors enjoy. “They’re so pretty this year.”
Harris suffers from diabetes, which makes getting about a little difficult. Dorris Young, from Home Health, helps daily chores and makes sure Harris is able to tend her garden.
“She’s a great help,” she said.
Now, “I’m just a single woman trying to get by,” she said.
“Living at Cedarbrook is wonderful,” Harris added. “There so many nice ladies here. They are so good to me,” including taking into account that her diabetes limits her ability to walk.
Container gardening perfect for apartment life
