The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

March 10, 2009 Duration: 0:00
I know it’s hard to believe that Victory Home & Garden exists and grows in only two 4’ by 8’ raised beds. This is where the legend of the seven foot tomato plants live and where a bonanza of vegetables are harvested from a limited space.

Fellow gardeners, I give you my backyard. In search of any appeal I sought out a couple of landscaping quotes including an eye-popping offer from my dream landscape designers. After I regained consciousness I turned to landscaping books. Besides how punk would it be if I had a picture perfect garden installed?

My DIY spirit has gotten me nowhere fast. The backyard is still occupied by dirt and the Victory Home & Garden expansion is stagnant. I not only would love to expand the vegetable garden but I need too. I sow for the masses and I’m quickly outgrowing my current 64 square foot growing space.

So what’s the holdup you say? Well, we still need to outsource some basics like grading and DG installation. I don’t mind digging a ditch or two but not a whole backyard.

I also have to rethink my planting scheme. Rocky likes to roll around in grass and like a good mum I must provide it for him. I refuse to purchase a lawn mower so Blue Grama Grass it’ll be.

So now what’s the hold up? Friends the economy is a son of a b*tch. I guess I’m not helping by waiting on the sidelines. However I do see the light. My goal is to have the front and backyard completed by May. There is a party to be had then so stay tuned.


There's a certain kind of satisfaction that comes from getting your hands dirty, from the quiet rebellion of nurturing something yourself. Victory Home & Garden is rooted in that feeling. This isn't about pristine lawns or perfect decor; it's about the practical, often messy, reality of creating a life that's more self-sufficient and connected to the ground beneath your feet. Each episode digs into what it truly means to cultivate your own space, whether that's turning a patch of earth into a vegetable plot, finding creative ways to repair and reuse what you have, or simply learning to see your home as a place of tangible creation. The guiding idea here is about reclaiming a bit of independence, or as the show puts it, keeping it punk by growing our own. You'll hear straightforward conversations, personal stories from the trenches of DIY projects, and honest advice that skips the glossy magazine perfection. Tune into this podcast for a dose of grounded inspiration that celebrates the small, hard-won victories of building a home and tending a garden on your own terms.
Episodes: 25

Podcast Episodes
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The Associated Press recently asked for my opinion regarding recession gardening. Between the vegetables I’m growing in the garden and the fruits and vegetables I exchange with my neighbors our grocery bill has been sign…
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The tomato hype has begun! I've never seen so many tomatomania events going on. CSUF's mother of all manias, the Monster Tomato and Pepper Sale, is being held on March 19-22 with over 200 tomato plants on sale. If you wo…
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What a difference a month makes. The first picture was taken on January 26. The second picture was taken on February 27.Ok, not the exact angle but do compare the wimpy seedlings in the first picture to the robust seedli…
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We're fortunate enough to live near pizza dynasty Buono’s. We used to frequent this establishment a least once a week. Before I became vegan their Buona Lisa was one of my favorite pizzas. Buono’s was still a commonplace…