My journey with agriculture and homesteading was an experience full of challenges and happiness at the same time. I always loved the idea of growing something myself and being close to the ground, but the truth is that when I started, I discovered that agriculture is not as easy as I imagined. The beginning was simple, I decided to grow tomatoes because they are one of the easiest plants you can start with in the garden or even on the balcony.
The first step was to buy small tomato seedlings and started planting them in the ground. At first, I was very excited, I used to water the plants every day and follow them closely, but after a few days, I discovered that tomatoes not only need water, but also sun, ventilation, and fertile soil. This made the subject more difficult than I imagined, especially when I started facing problems such as plants being infected with insects or a lack of some nutrients that the soil needs.
But over time, I started learning and trying new methods. I started using natural fertilizer and trying to create a balance between water and soil. I also started learning more about the different types of tomatoes and which ones are best suited to Egypt's climate, and I got a better idea of how to take care of plants. As the tomatoes grew and started to bear fruit, I felt extraordinarily happy, as if I had achieved a great accomplishment.
The surprise was the taste of the tomatoes I planted, it was completely different from the tomatoes we buy from the market. The tomatoes were soft, fresh, and had a beautiful red color, and their taste was very rich. Not only that, the farming experience itself was enjoyable, it taught me patience and attention to detail, and it also taught me that success does not come overnight, but it takes time and perseverance.
In the end, my journey with farming was full of challenges, but also full of valuable lessons. Tomatoes were the beginning, but now I am excited to try growing other things like herbs and other vegetables. The beginnings may be difficult, but when you see the fruits and enjoy the result, all the hard work has meaning.
