CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1508690
CityViewNC.com | 43 More than a dozen fig trees. Varieties of eggplant that only a few local growers are likely familiar with: Chinese string, Shiromaro, Ping Tung, and white Casper. Grapes and zucchini, big red and smaller yellow tomatoes, peppers both sweet and spicy. Yeah, this rivals the produce section at your favorite supermarket. "Anybody can grow anything they put their mind to," Tracy says. She prefers containers to in-ground planting because she can move the plants around and control watering or sunlight needs. Also, in containers, the plants are a bit elevated, which cuts back on the bending necessary to tend to them. She oen sits the containers on dollies for easier mobility. When they moved from New Jersey, Mike bought a used minibus to transport their containerized plants, including more than a dozen fig trees, some of which can be traced back to the early 1900s. When Mike's grandfather came to America from Italy, he brought a cutting from a fig tree along on the boat and planted it at his new home. e DiMarcos, in turn, took a cutting from Mike's grandfather's yard and grew fig trees of their own. "In Jersey, your season is shorter and not usually as hot for so long," Tracy says about the difference since their move. "Here, I get three seasons of gardening outside. I am looking forward to exploring what more I can do here." Soon aer their relocation, Tracy joined the Cumberland County Extension Master Gardeners program. She became known as "the lady in the overalls." She has since been approached about leading cooking classes for the Extension service, a logical connection to her love for growing fresh veggies. "I'm so excited!" she says of the opportunity to share her culinary techniques. What's most striking is the bounty and variety of produce and how most of it is not growing in the earth but in containers. 910.630.3912 7076 Ramsey Street. Fayetteville, NC 28311 • www.lovingstitches.net Over 7,000 Bolts of 100% Cotton Fabrics One of the Largest Quilt Stores on the East Coast Mon-Sat 9 am - 5 pm We Service All Brands of Machines Beginner to Advanced Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery Classes