Having any sort of greenery in your home NYC is quite a privilege. Having a garden in NYC can feel like you won the real estate lottery, offering some peace from the craziness of the city. Andre Morris, president of Varran Media, has such a place in Manhattan where he grows tomatoes, hot peppers, bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, and more.
Dubbed “Andre Gardens,” he wants to show how easy it is to grow your own food and eat green, even if you live in a small space! To learn more about this passion project, we chatted with Morris who shared more about his garden and online show that’s sure to inspire you to starting growing, no matter what size your living space might be.
Andre Gardens Interview
Weekend Jaunts: How did the idea for Andre Gardens come about?
Andre Morris: The idea for “Andre Gardens” came about pretty organically. I wanted to share gardening, cooking, and DIY tips with family and friends on social media. I also wanted to show off the culinary talents of fun celebrity guests. So the two ideas morphed into “Andre Gardens.”
Weekend Jaunts: Have you always had a green thumb?
Andre Morris: Yes! Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, I had a small garden in the backyard. I definitely inherited the green thumb from my mother. 3. What have you learned about yourself through having a garden? I’ve learned I have a nurturing side. It brings me great pleasure to watch the growth from seed or bulb, into a beautiful green garden. Its difficult watching the garden fade away in the fall/winter but I also look forward to starting over the following season!
Weekend Jaunts: What do you tell people who have small spaces? How can they have their own garden?
Andre Morris: I tell them to start small and with something they love and consume often (like basil, mint, parsley). Home improvement stores like The Home Depot and Lowes, have sales all the time on herbs so you can also garden on a budget. With the right soil, a sunny spot, and a few dollars, you can be eating green in no time at all!
Weekend Jaunts: Why is having a garden important in NYC?
Andre Morris: There’s so much wasted space in backyards across NYC. If all the residents of a building pitched in $10.00, they could have a shared garden, with their own produce for an entire summer! It just takes a little effort but its extremely rewarding.
Weekend Jaunts: Anything else to add?
Andre Morris: Plans for the future with the garden? I’m really excited about several new episodes lined up for the remainder of the summer and fall. Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child will be a future guest! I’d love to take “Andre Gardens” to south Florida for winter 2017, so stay tuned and follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
Be sure to check out the latest episode of Andre Gardens with Bob The Drag Queen and Peppermint:
