2 Flower Pots, 4 Herbs, and My Pick 5 for the Environment
By Jessica Orquina
When I was growing up we always had a garden – rows of vegetables and herbs to eat throughout the summer. I remember picking fresh tomatoes, corn, or herbs to help make dinner.
Now, I live in an eight story condominium building surrounded by a paved-over world of sidewalks and asphalt in Washington, DC. While I enjoy the culture, energy, and convenience of living in the city, I sometimes miss the connection to nature I had during my childhood. I try to shop at farmers’ markets whenever I can. It is not quite the same as picking a fresh vegetable from my own garden, but it’s close. And I started planting a small garden in flower pots on my apartment balcony. Last year I had chives and basil. This year my chive plant returned and I’ve added a new basil plant, oregano, and parsley. It’s tiny, but it’s my patch of green. Next year I’ll add a few more plants (maybe even tomatoes).
At EPA I work in communications. My daily tasks focus on sharing information with the public about protecting the environment. But, I also do things in my everyday life – like planting my small garden (greenscaping), saving water, using less energy, recycling, and taking public transportation – to reduce my impact on the planet. These are my Pick 5 – the simple actions I take every day to make a difference.
You can make a difference too! Join our Pick 5 for the Environment and learn how to make your actions count! Share your Pick 5 in the comments below.
About the author: Jessica Orquina works in the Office of External Affairs and Environmental Education as the social media lead for the agency. Prior to joining EPA, she served as a public affairs specialist at another federal agency and is a former military and commercial airline pilot. She lives, works, and writes in Washington, DC.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
I’m always impressed to see how people can share ideas toward being green at home.
I must admit though, I’d really like to see more focus on this being pushed in the corporate world. I know there are some efforts made by some corps, but just imagine if this was pushed as an everyday thing. After all, we spend the majority of our time at work and these habits would simply carry through.
“When I was growing up we always had a garden – rows of vegetables and herbs to eat throughout the summer. I remember picking fresh tomatoes, corn, or herbs to help make dinner.”
I so wantrd to eat just fresh vegetables. But is it not. Non stop buying somethink on Big Market. :(
Thanks PKPELTIER! Yes, it is important that we try be more sustainable at work as well as at home!
Adem, Thanks for reading!
Jessica
That is good thought, in today’s world we should grow and keep as many plants as possible and make a world better place to live. you may work on with Green building which is quite a good way to make place green.
Whoa. Thanks for the buzz-kill. It’s still a very nice piece of work and an interesting study of the creative lengths fans will go…
What a very impressive post. I am glad for the share. Now that you mention it, I guess I should allocate a space for hoe test. I really don’t have one. Wow its a very good post. The information provided by you is really very good and helpful for me. Keep sharing good information.
Beautiful photography as usual Amelia Johnson. The colors captured rivet the eyes and senses! You should head to Rosendale, Wisconsin this weekend for their annual Peony festival in their “World Famous” gardens. I especially loved your shots of the peony cake toppers!
I am living in Gurgaon(NCR, I have grown tomatoes,corn, or herbs.
But actually i realy dont know How to take care for them, specially for tomato plant,corn, or herbs . They both r bow flowering. Plz help me in this.