I have never really been an outdoor person though I know that I should be. I spend most of my time at home whenever I’m not at work but I also make it a point to go out. The Covid19 epidemic has significantly curtailed outdoor activities to the angst of most people. There is uncertainty everywhere and my work keeps me in direct contact with possible exposure. All because of these, I have become more confined and has devoted my time in taking care of my wife’s vegetables in the backyard.

The summer heat is not helping at all! I know that we started late in the planting season. Plants wither in the the afternoon heat but amazingly proves itself resilient enough to recover after a good drenching. Vegetables in the backyard are amazing and challenging. It feels like a trophy seeing it flourish and survive. It also feels totally different from the fruit tree and the flowering plants. With vegetables, we know that we can have something that can be added to our diet and health.

We have already reaped the bounty of our labor. The lemon grass has been most productive of all the backyard plants (considering that it is a grass hence can easily thrive). It has provided an endless supply of its leaves. We use it for its aromatic scent in cooking and for its insect-repellant properties. The articles written about Lemon Grass pertain to its medical benefits and for its use in cooking.

The Malabar Spinach (Alugbati) has also been a very productive plant. I’m surprised at how fast the plant can grow after it is cut for harvest. We have had several dishes already served with the big, green leaves of the Malabar Spinach added to it.

Cultivating the vegetables in the backyard has somehow taught me that with patience and hard work, we can actually become productive. I was not so confident with my abilities to grow vegetables since I have tried in the past and failed. Now, with my wife’s help, there was some success.