It didn’t take long for Mark Maddox’s thumbs to turn an appealing shade of green.
Maddox, in his initial foray into full-time gardening, has been thrilled with the initial signs of his garden along the 200 block of South Second Street.
“Yes, it does feel good,” Maddox said this morning as a light sprinkle fell on him and his garden.
Tomato plants are nearing four feet tall already, “which I never expected,” he said. Nearby zucchini plants “have become monsters.”
Maddox professes no special gardening secrets. He just ensures the garden receives a healthy dose of water daily, while applying Miracle Grow every other day.
Maddox has an empty barrel to capture rainfall to water his garden, “so that I don’t have to use too much city water,” he said.
Maddox’s 1,000-square-foot garden also features cucumbers, egg plant, radishes, hot peppers and bell peppers.
He plans to give away some of his harvest to neighbors. The rest will be canned or kept fresh for meals this summer.
Maddox had given little thought to gardening until moving to his new home just south of Allen County Hospital last July.
“There was already a garden there, but I was just there for the end of the growing season,” he said. “I figured I’d give it a go from the start this year.”
Early results are encouraging.
“These thumbs are definitely green,” Maddox said with a laugh.
Green thumb finds success
