My name is Kiku Sato. Last spring, my family and I moved from the country to the big city. Our new home in Portland had no yard. There wasn't even a tiny plot of land. So Mama made an indoor garden. First she and Papa planted seeds in pots. Then they hung them from hooks. Next they crammed plants onto shelves. Green vines tumbled over desks. Soon our house had plants everywhere.
At first I was scared to start school. I was afraid no one would be my friend. But I soon met a classmate. Jill Hernandez and I were practicing reading aloud one day. She helped me say her last name, and I helped her pronounce mine. The next day we were best friends. Jill spent lots of time at my house.
An idea for a Garden.
One afternoon, Jill and her mother came to visit Mama and Papa and me. First they saw our beautiful potted plants. Jill's mother said, "Jill admires your indoor garden. She has told me so much about it."
We all sat down while Mama served tea. First she put green tea into the tea bowl. Then she added hot water and stirred. She handed the bowl to Jill's mother and bowed.
Grandmother in Japan.
"My mother taught me how to make tea," said Mama. "She also taught me how to plant a traditional Japanese garden. I learned to make the most of a small, compact space."
All of a sudden, Jill's mother smiled. "Can you help us with a project?" she asked. "Our community wants to plant a garden. Our plot is very small. There is so much we want to grow." Papa looked at Mama, and they both bowed. "Yes," they said.
A Garden Grows.
First we had a meeting with the community. Everyone agreed to contribute. Some people brought seeds, tools, and dirt. Then the next day we met and started our garden.
Papa built long, open boxes. Next, we filled them with dirt. The tallest box went close to the back wall. The boxes got shorter and shorter. The shortest box was in the front. "All the plants will get sunlight without making shade for the others," Mama said.
Then, we used round, flat stones to make a rock path. Papa said that in Japan, stones are an important part of a garden. Finally, we planted the seeds.
Jill and I worked in the garden all summer. Our community grew many different vegetables. At the end of the summer, we picked enough to have a cookout. Mama brought a big pot of miso and vegetable stew. Everyone thanked Mama and Papa for their help. They brought a bit of Japan to Portland. I was so proud.
